EFFECTS OF SILICON AND SEED MICROBIOLIZATION WITH BACILLUS METHYLOTROPHICUS AGAINST LEAF SPOT (CURVULARIA LUNATA) IN RICE

The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of the silicified fertilization of the seeds microbiolization with B. methylotrophicus in the control of leaf spot caused by C. lunata and in the factors of rice production. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement, with five doses of silicon (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 t ha 1) and microbiolized and non-microbiolized seeds, with five repetitions. The leaf spot was evaluated at 7, 14 and 21 days after inoculation of the pathogen, considering total number of leaves, number of healthy and diseased leaves per vase, percentage of diseased leaves, size of lesion and control. The photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll indexes in rice leaves were also measured before and after inoculation of the pathogen. At the end of the crop cycle, the size and number of panicles per pot, the grains number, the number of full grains and pips per panicle and the dry plant mass were evaluated. There was an effect of the doses of agrosilicon in the control of leaf spot and in the reduction of the number and percentage of diseased leaves. However, no effect of seed microbiolization was observed on leaf spot control as well as rice production factors.