Residual effect of silicatic rock dust application for use as a silicon source and soil remineralizer

Abstract

The use of rock dust as a soil remineralize aims to add nutrients to the soil to nourish plants while improving soil chemical, physical and biological properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the residual effect of silica rock powder (SRP) application as a source of silicon (Si) and soil remineralize, as well as the effects on the development of soybean. The experiment will be conducted in a greenhouse, using a randomized complete block design with four replications, totalizing 96 experimental units. The treatments will be arranged in a 5 x 2 + 2 factorial scheme, with five rates of SRP (0, 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 Mg ha-1) and two types of soil (sandy texture and medium texture), in addition to two additional treatments 1) conventional mineral fertilization + application of limestone and plaster (CMF + LP) and 2) without application of SRP, CMF, and LP. The SRP will be applied in pots containing 5 kg of two soils with different granulometric textures and low Ca, Mg, and K concentrations. In the soybean plants, stem diameter, plant height, Falker chlorophyll index, shoot biomass, leaf anatomical features, and accumulation of nutrients and silicon will be evaluated. Soil chemical attributes will also be evaluated, in addition to "available" silicon content. The results obtained will be subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by regression analysis and Dunnett's test. (AU)