Influence of silicon and phosphorus on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by maize in Typic Ustochrepts was studied in a pot experiment at the Aanad Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India during summer 2012. Treatments were arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with silicon factor at five levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg kg-1) and two levels of P (0 and 40 mg P kg soil-1) and maize (CV. Gujarat Maize-6) was taken as a test crop with three replicates in two different textured soils. Application of Si @ 300 mg Si kg-1 soil along with P @ 40 mg P kg soil-1 recorded significantly highest green and dry shoot yield (93.03 g pot-1, 52.25 g pot-1 respectively) of maize in loamy sandy and silty loam soils, whereas, the highest root yield (13.39 g pot-1) was also recoded under the same treatment in silty loam soil. The highest chlorophyll content in maize leaf (22.05 cci) was noted with the application of Si @ 400 mg Si kg-1 soil along with P @ 40 mg P kg soil-1 in both the soils. Results of investigation indicated that application of silicon @ 300 mg kg-1 and phosphorus at 40 mg P2O5 kg-1 gave maximum maize yield under P stress condition and also improved silicon, phosphorus and micronutrients utilization by maize plants.

Keywords: Maize, Silicon, phosphorus, growth, yield, nutrient uptake