Beneficial Effect of Silicon Application and Intermittent Irrigation on Improving Rice Productivity in Indonesia

Penggunaan pupuk silika dipercaya dapat meningkatkan produksi padi, tetapi penelitian pengaruh silika pada tanaman padi di Indonesia masih terbatas. Penelitian bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh kombinasi pemberian pupuk silika dan pengelolaan air pada pertumbuhan dan produktivitas tanaman padi. Penelitian yang dilaksanakan di kebun percobaan Balai Penelitian Lingkungan Pertanian, Jakenan, Pati, Jawa Tengah pada musim hujan. Percobaan menggunakan rancangan petak terbagi dengan empat ulangan. Sebagai petak utama adalah perbedaan pengelolaan air sedangkan anak petak adalah perlakuan pupuk silika. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian silika meningkatkan ketahanan serangan penyakit blas. Pemberian silika nyata menurunkan serangan blas daun dan leher yang diduga karena adanya peningkatan Si daun. Pengelolaan air berselang (IT) nyata pada meningkatkan hasil dibandingkan pengelolaan air konvensional (CF). Perlakuan IT meningkatkan pertumbuhan akar dan berdampak pada peningkatan pertumbuhan dan hasil padi. Perlakuan IT juga nyata meningkatkan kandungan hara Cu, Mn, dan Zn pada beras. Kombinasi pemberian silika dan pengelolaan air IT meningkatkan produktivitas tanaman padi terutama pada daerah dengan ketersediaan air terbatas. Kata kunci: pemberian silikon, penyakit blas, pengelolaan air, produktivitas padi, rebahIt is believed that silicon (Si) application could increase rice production, however studies related to those topics are still limited. The study determined the combination effect of Si application and water management on rice growth and productivity. This study was conducted at the experimental station of Indonesian Agricultural Environment Research Institute, Jakenan, Pati, Central Java at dry season. A split-plot in randomized complete block design with four replications was set. The main plots were different types of irrigation and subplots were Si fertilizer application. Results showed that the application of Si increased plant resistance on blast disease. This current result might be due to the increasing of Si concentration in leaves. IT water management significantly increased the yield compared to CF. IT increased root growth and gave an impact on increasing of plant growth and rice yield. Moreover, IT significantly increased Cu, Mn, and Zn concentration in rice grain. Combination of Si application with IT water management could increase rice plant productivity especially in area with water shortage. Keywords: blast disease, lodging, rice productivity, silicon application, water managemen