Vol. 7, Issue 6 (2019)

The present investigation was under taken on garlic (Allium sativum L.) cv. Phule Nilima to study the effect of silicon, at “All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops”, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar in rabi season of 2017-18, by using different sources and levels of silicon on chemical properties of soil and nutrient availability in the soil related to growth, yield and quality characters in garlic. Also to study the effect of sources and levels of silicon on total availability of micro nutrients in the experimental field of garlic.

Fifteen treatment combinations formed by three sources of fertilizer silicon (viz., diatomaceous earth, calcium silicate and bagasse ash) with five levels of silicon (viz., 0,100,150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) and one absolute control, were tried and each replicated three times. The basal dose of fertilizer 100 N, 50 P2O5 and 50 K2O kg ha-1was applied before planting.

The available micro nutrients viz., Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu was significantly influenced due to application of sources. The source A2 (CS) recorded significantly highest Fe and Mn. and source A1 (DE) recorded significantly highest Zn and Cu.

In case of levels of silicon the available micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu was showed significant influence due to application of silicon @ 250 kg ha -1.

The interaction effect of sources and levels of silicon on an available Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in soil at harvest was non-significant.

The available Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in soil at harvest were significantly increased with treated over control.