Interaction of silicon, iron, and manganese in rice (oryza sativa L.) rhizosphere at low ph in relation to rice growth

Abstract

Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) nutrition is influenced by the interactions of (Iron) Fe, (Manganese) Mn, and (Silicon) Si in the rhizosphere. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with rice grown in four low‐pH soils (a granitic lateritic red earth, a paddy soil from the red earth, a basaltic latosol, and a paddy soil from the latosol). Rice was grown in pots with the roots confined in rhizobags and the rhizosphere soil and nonrhizosphere soil were analyzed separately for active Si, Fe, and Mn by Tamm's solution. Silicon and Mn concentrations were lower in the rhizosphere soil indicating a depletion which was higher for the basaltic soils and for the paddy soils. Iron concentrations were higher in the rhizosphere soil indicating an accumulation that was higher for granitic soils and for the upland soils. Plant growth response was due mostly to Mn with the basaltic soils supplying toxic amounts and the granitic soils being deficient. Iron accumulation in the rhizosphere caused lower plant uptake of Si, phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) and higher Fe and aluminum (Al) absorption leading to the conclusion that Fe deposition on plant roots and in rhizosphere may block the uptake of other nutrients.