Influence of Silicon Application on Phosphorus Nutrition of Potato Plants.

Influence of silicon application on phosphorus nutrition of potato plants Fertilization with Silicon (Si) can promote benefits to the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The application of Si can improve phosphorus (P) utilization, increasing the availability of soil P by competition if the adsorption sites and, even when the availability of P is high, the supply of Si can be beneficial for plants to affect the P metabolism in the plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in-furrow application of P and Si effects on the P forms in the leaf of potato plant (cv. Agata). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a clay soil (60%) and low P content available (P (resin) = 7 mg dm-3). The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial 4x3, with four replications. The treatments consisted of four rates of P (10, 50, 100 and 200 mg dm-3) and three doses of Si (0, 50 and 200 mg dm-3). Each experimental unit consisted of a vase of 35 dm-3 with a potato plant. At 33 days after emergence (DAE) leaf sampling was performed. Plants were harvested at 74 DAE. In the leaves and tubers were determined the total P and Si and the total P soluble content (Pts), soluble inorganic P (Psi) and soluble organic P (Pso). Silicon fertilization altered forms of P accumulated on the leaves and tubers of potato, but did not affect the tuber yield.