Abstract:
Rice is one of the leading food crops in the world and greatly contributes to the agricultural sector
in Rwanda. However, its yield is reduced due to fertilizer use imbalances and degradation of soil.
Silicon is known as important for rice growth and yield and is commonly utilized in form of Silixol
fertilizers. However, the use of Silixol fertilizers to enhance crop production has not been
evaluated in Rwanda. This study therefore aimed at assessing the Silixol granules bioefficacy on
rice growth and yield when used as an additional fertilizer to the recommended dose fertilizer
(RDF).
The study was conducted in Rwagitima Marshland, Gatsibo district, in the Eastern province of
Rwanda. To examine theSilixol effect on rice growth and yield, we used different combinations of
100 % (200 kg/ha NPK and 100 kg/ha Urea) and 75% (150 kg/ha NPK and 75 kg/ha Urea) of RDF
and additional applications of 10, 15 and 20 kg/ha of Silixol granules. Eight treatments were
replicated three times in a randomized complete block design.
The results showed that Silixol granules have a highly significant effect on growth characters
(number of tillers, height of plant, root length and plant dry matter) of rice. The treatments where
20kg of Silixol granules were used resulted in a high level of growth . Yield and yield related
characters (number of panicles, weight of panicles, weight of grain per panicle, harvest index and
rice yield ) increased from the control. However, the harvest index for 75% RDF+20kg of Silixol
granules was lower than the control. Therefore, to conclude, 20 kg/ha of Silixol granules applied as
additional fertilizer to100 % RDF has the potential to increase the rice productivity
