Effects of nanobiosilica from rice husk ash application on rice growth, productivity, and milling quality

Abstract

Application of different forms of silicon sources may influence rice production and quality. It is believed that properties of nanosized particles may differ significantly from those of the original bulk material. This study aimed to investigate effects of application of silica nanoparticles extracted from rice husk ash, called nanobiosilica (NBS), on the rice growth, productivity, and milling quality as compared to those of rice husk ash (RHA), sodium silicate solution (SDS), and two control treatments. NBS was produced by the sol-gel method. The five treatments were arranged on a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Application of NBS (20-50nm) and SDS significantly produced the highest stem strength, lodging tolerance, number of productive tillers, grain per-clump, and rice productivity (7.30-7.32t/ha). NBS produced better yield performances than RHA, the initial bulk material. The treatments did not influence brown rice and milled rice yield. However, the highest percentage of head rice was observed following NBS and RHA treatments. The results suggested that production of NBS from RH and its application to paddy field could be a viable strategy for supporting sustainable rice production, producing better quality of milled rice, increasing benefit of rice processors/farmers, and reducing environmental issues of underutilized rice husk.