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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #215814
Title: Effect of nitrogen application and crop rotation on the accumulation of silica in the rice kernel

Author
item Bryant, Rolfe
item ANDERS, MERLE - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item Brooks, Steven

Submitted to: American Association of Cereal Chemists Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2007
Publication Date: 7/1/2007
Citation: Bryant, R.J., Anders, M., Brooks, S.A. 2007. Effect of nitrogen application and crop rotation on the accumulation of silica in the rice kernel. [abstract]American Association of Cereal Chemists Meetings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Silica is needed for high production and healthy growth of rice. However, little is known about the effect of nitrogen (N) application and crop rotation on the accumulation of silica in the rice kernel. Therefore, the objective of this study was to grow the rice cultivars ‘Wells’ and ‘Cybonnet’ in three rotation systems: 1) continuous rice (S1), 2) rice-soybeans rotation (S2), and 3) rice-corn rotation (S3) using 112 and 168 kg per hectare of N and analyze the silica content of each. There was a significant decrease in silica accumulation in the hull of ‘Cybonnet’ with the use of high N in all three systems. For ‘Wells’, system S1 showed a significant decrease in hull silica under high N application and no significant effect was seen in system S2 and S3. The accumulation of silica was highest in S3 for both cultivars under both treatments with ‘Cybonnet’ using low N being the highest. ‘Wells’ grown in S1 using high N had the lowest accumulation of silica. ‘Cybonnet’ accumulated more silica in its hull than did ‘Wells’. The experiment showed no effect on the accumulation of silica in the rice grain. This study shows that N application and crop rotation can have a significant effect on the accumulation of silica in the rice hulls with some varieties being affected more than others. As expected the protein content increased with increase N application for all systems. However, there were cultivar and system differences.