Role of Silicon Fertiliser in Enhancing Growth and Suppressing White Root Disease (Rigidoporus microporus) in Rubber Seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis)
Keywords:
Silicon fertilisation, White root disease, Soil amendment, Disease suppressionAbstract
Silicon (Si) is recognised for its potential to enhance plant growth and improve resistance against various plant pathogens. This study comprised two experiments under nursery conditions using the same Randomised Complete Block Design. In the first experiment, the optimal Si concentration (0, 0.5, 1.0 & 2.0 g per seedling) for improving the growth performance of rubber seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis) was determined over an 11-month evaluation period. In the second experiment, the effectiveness of Si in suppressing white root disease caused by Rigidoporus microporus was evaluated over the 11-month experimental period following a three-month Si pre-treatment and artificial inoculation with the pathogen. Growth parameters, including seedling height, stem girth, chlorophyll content, and biomass accumulation, were measured monthly. Disease incidence, disease severity index (DSI), and area under the disease progression curve (AUDPC) were evaluated for eight months. The findings from the first experiment indicated that although Si application numerically improved several growth parameters, particularly at 1.0 g and 2.0 g, the differences were not consistently significant. In the second experiment, a higher Si concentration significantly suppressed disease development. The highest Si concentration (2.0 g) reduced disease incidence by 50.00%, reduced disease severity based on foliar symptoms by 75.00%, and reduced internal root rot severity by 75.93% compared with untreated inoculated seedlings. A consistent dose-dependent reduction in AUDPC values indicated delayed disease progression at the higher Si concentration. Moreover, Si-treated seedlings showed enhanced chlorophyll retention and increased root biomass, suggesting improved physiological resilience. In conclusion, while Si did not uniformly enhance growth, its application demonstrated significant potential in suppressing white root disease and promoting selected physiological traits. These findings support the integration of Si as a strategic input for early-stage disease management in rubber cultivation by promoting improved root system development and biomass accumulation, which likely contributed to delayed Rigidoporus microporus infection.
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