Abstract

The purpose of this research was study the rate and application method of calcium silicate (Ca₂SiO₄) fertilizer appropriated for pepper seedling production. This study was divided into two experiments. Experiment 1, the effect of Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer application in pepper seedling by mixed in growing media was arranged in 2x6 factorials in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 replications. Factor A was seed preparation methods (seed primed with Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer at a rate 2 g L^-1 and non-seed primed) and factor B was application rates of Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer at 0, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 kg ha^-1. Experiment 2, the effect of Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer application in pepper seedling by foliar method was arranged in 2x6 factorials in CRD with 4 replications. Factor A was seed preparation methods and factor B was application rates of Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g L^-1. All experiments data were collected such as plant growth and total silicon content in plant at 28 days after sowing (DAS). From experiment 1, the results showed that seed primed with Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer application at a rate 120 kg ha^-1 gave the good plant growth and total silicon in plant. Experiment 2, the results showed that seed primed with Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer application at a rate 2 g L^-1 gave the highest of plant growth and total silicon in plant. To conclude, Ca₂SiO₄ fertilizer application can be employed for enhancing plant growth of pepper seedling and increasing silicon content in plant.

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