ABSTRACT
Silicon-induced leaf structural reinforcement modulates growth, foliar disease and yield performance of rice under nutrient-limited conditions

Arlyna Budi Pustika1, Lesty Ayu Bidhari1, Mochammad Arif Subechan1, Agus Suprihatin1, Pandu Laksono2, Setyorini Widyayanti1, Sudarmaji Sudarmaji1*, Setia Sari Br. Girsang1, Amelia Sebayang3, Idum Satia Santi4, Kristamtini Kristamtini1, Sugeng Widodo2, Hasil Sembiring1, Subiyakto Subiyakto5, and Nurnina Nonci1
 
Nutrient imbalance can compromise rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation, hindering the potential of rice plants to produce optimum grain yield. In this study, Si was added as a supplementary fertilizer to reinforce leaf anatomical structure, modulating growth performance, foliar disease resistance, and yield under nutrient-limited conditions. Four fertilization treatments were evaluated using a randomized complete block design, including the use of conventional NPK with and without Si addition. Its effect on leaf structural reinforcement and nutrient accumulation was assessed. Growth parameters, foliar disease severity, incidence, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), and yield components were evaluated across all phenological stages. The results showed that Si accumulation in the leaf, stress-induced or fertilized, significantly affected Mg (194.8 mg kg-1 DW) and Zn (82.9 mg kg-1) without compromising P and K uptake. Structural reinforcements of the leaf evaluated included increased thickness of the cuticle (18.3 μm) and mesophyll (256.2 μm), higher stomatal density (473.9 stomata mm-2), and higher chlorophyll content (15.4 SPAD index). Si modulated vegetative growth and biomass during grain filling. Furthermore, Si accumulation reduced AUDPC values for bacterial red stripe, leaf blight, and narrow brown spot from 771.1 to 159.1 %-days, 119.9 to 9.9 %-days, and 786.1 to 452.1 %-days, respectively, demonstrating high resistance toward foliar diseases. Grain yield at 14% moisture content was similar among treatments (6.15-6.24 t ha-1). Si fertilization increased physiological efficiency, strengthened leaf structural defenses, and reduced disease-induced yield losses. It may be used to compensate for or substitute nutrient deficiencies, potentially reducing the quantity of conventional fertilizer required in agricultural practices.
Key words: AUDPC, leaf anatomy, nutrient imbalance, nutrient-use efficiency, performance stability.
1National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Center for Food Crops, Cibinong Bogor, Indonesia.
2National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Center for Behavioral and Circular Economics, Jakarta, Indonesia.
3National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Center for Horticulture, Cibinong, Bogor, Indonesia.
4Institut Pertanian Stiper, Faculty of Agriculture, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
5National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Center for Estate Crops, Cibinong, Bogor, Indonesia.
*Corresponding author (suda019@brin.go.id).
Received: 29 February 2026; Accepted: 4 June 2026, Available online: 3 August 2026.