Does foliar silicon application enhance the biomass yield of millet silage, and does it provide significant economic gains?

Millet is a grass that has been highlighted for silage production, especially being productive tropical plant, and undemanding concerning soil fertility. Silicon (Si) an alternative low-cost solution to increase biomass it noticed be beneficial plants, when there are stress conditions. So, we analyzed the effects of foliar silicon application gas exchanges, dry economic efficiency. We used completely randomized experimental design consisting following five doses Si: 0; 0.84; 1.68; 2.52; 3.36 g L-1 Si as potassium sodium silicate, with replications. measured plant height, leaf area, contents accumulation in exchanges (stomatal conductance, transpiration, photosynthesis net), matter uptake transport efficiency by plants its The content enhanced accumulated all parts millet reaching values between 2.5 3.3 L-1. There were linear increases approximately 9 27% height area Si. Stomatal conductance transpiration reached maximum representing 44.60 101.30%, respectively. concentration increased 76% shoot production 15%, compared control. economically viable. operational costs suppressed, about US $ 45.32 ha-1 2.52