National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Finger millet or ragi is the primary food source for millions of people in tropical dry land regions of Africa and Asia. Two field experiments were conducted to study the genotypic variation for silicon accumulation and the effect of foliar applied silicic acid on growth, nutrient uptake and blast disease resistance of ragi. Study showed a significant varietal variation for Si accumulation with an average Si content of 1.67 % in the above ground part. Out of the ten genotypes studied, highest Si content was found in RAU 8 (2.46 %) and lowest by K 7 (1.03 %). In general, the order of Si accumulation in ragi was followed as glumes (1.5- 3.9 %) > straw (1.6- 3.1%) > grains (0.18- 0.38%). Foliar application of Silicic acid increased test weight, grain and straw yield significantly. Significant increase in grain yield and test weight was observed with 4 ml L-1 foliar silicic acid spray, whereas 2 ml L-1 increased straw yield. Application of 4 ml L-1 foliar silicic acid increased Si uptake to an extent of 54.6 % over control. There was a significant increase in Ca and P content in straw and glumes with the application of silicic acid. Reduction in finger blast was significant with the application of 2 and 4 ml L-1of silicic acid. Reduction in blast symptoms were to an extent of 69.8 % in GPU 28, 53.75 % in GPU 67 and by 50.4 % in K 7. This is the first time reporting of Si content in finger millet and the response of crop to foliar Si treatment.
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