~ 2063 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2023; 12(8): 2063-2065 ISSN (E): 2277-7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2023; 12(8): 2063-2065 © 2023 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 07-06-2023 Accepted: 10-07-2023 Dr. Mini V Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India Sree Parvathy P Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India Rahanabai H Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India Corresponding Author: Dr. Mini V Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India Effect of silicon application on abiotic and biotic stress management in rice in Typic Ustipsamments of Kerala, India Dr. Mini V, Sree Parvathy P and Rahanabai H Abstract Si has been shown to improve the growth and yield of many crops, particularly rice, which accumulates Si. Beyond increasing rice yield, Si treatment has additional benefits such as improving nutrient availability, reducing nutrient toxicity, and reducing biotic and abiotic stress in plants. To determine the impact of Si treatment on rice's ability to tolerate biotic and abiotic stress, a field experiment was conducted in two seasons (Kharif and Rabi) in 2022-2023. Various sources of Si, including potassium silicate, sodium silicate, rice husk ash, and fine silica, were evaluated to standardize the dose and mode of application for rice. A cost-effective method of Si nutrition was developed. The study examined the effect of Si application on the yield of rice grain and straw, and on the management of major biotic (stem borer incidence) and abiotic (iron toxicity) stress. The best treatment for increasing rice yield and managing biotic and abiotic stress in Typic Ustipsamments of Kerala was found to be soil test based NPK+ foliar application of 0.5% potassium silicate at maximum tillering stage and panicle initiation stage. Keywords: Silicon nutrition, rice, biotic stress, abiotic stress, iron toxicity, stem borer Introduction Silicon is considered a beneficial element and has promising impact on yield and quality of Si- loving plants such as rice. Variation in species and outside Si concentrations have an impact on the uptake and transport of silicon in rice (Ma et al., 2001) [8] . Rice straw contains 4-20 per cent SiO 2 which indicates the high Si demand of rice. Silicon makes up about 10% of the dry weight of shoots, which is much more than the amounts of important macronutrients like N, P, and K. Rice has a silicon absorption capability of 150 to 300 kg ha -1 . (Bazilevich, 2001) [1] . On average, 20 kg of soil-bound SiO2 are removed for every 100 kg of brown rice produced. (Ma and Takahashi,2002) [9] . Positive effects of Si nutrition is detected in plants at the time of stress conditions. Silicon induces changes in the plant resistance mechanisms to combat multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. Silicon application is effective in manging many bacterial and fungal diseases in rice. Silicon reduces water loss through transpiration and alleviate water stress. Because the leaf blades are upright in silicon treated palnts, there is better light absorption, which increases photosynthetic efficiency. Silicon’s articulating effects on rice yield, lodging tolerance, and increased reproductive fertility have all been documented (Savant et al., 1997) [13] . It is the only known element that can increase resistance to a variety of stressors. Unfortunately, in Kerala's sandy plains (Typic Ustipsamments), the importance of silicon nutrition in rice development and mitigating abiotic and biotic challenges has not yet been well investigated. Hence the present study has been undertaken at Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam, Kerala with an objective to assess the effect of silicon application on biotic and abiotic stress management in rice. Materials and Methods Various sources of silicon viz., potassium silicate, sodium silicate, rice husk ash and fine silica were evaluated for standardizing the dose and method of application for rice and a cost- effective method of silicon nutrition was developed. Field experiment was conducted in two seasons during during Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2022-23. The field experiment used a randomized block design with eight treatments that were duplicated three times each and were T 1 (Recommended dose of NPK (K.A.U,2016) [7] , T 2 (Soil test based NPK), T 3 (Soil test