Effect of potassium silicate on development and productivity in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars in an experimental cultivation area in the Brazilian Cerrado

Silicon (Si) is considered an essential element for the development of several groups of vegetables, including legumes (Soy) [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.]. This study aimed to evaluate different doses of potassium silicate (K2SiO4) rich in Si (25%) regarding the effects on the vegetative and reproductive phases for two soybean cultivars with technology HO IPRO Corumbá and HO i2x Mogi in red distroferric soil in the Southwest of Goiás, Brazil. Si doses (0, 150, 300, 600, and 900 kg ha-1) were evaluated for the parameters plant length, root length, aerial and root fresh mass, aerial and root dry mass, and number of pods for two cultivars Corumbá and Mogi. The results demonstrated positive effects for the Si doses applied, mainly at doses of 300-600 kg ha-1 for most parameters and for the dose of 900 kg ha-1 for the number of pods. Different dosages of Si expressed in potassium silicate demonstrated positive effects on the vegetative and reproductive increments of soybean cultivars Corumbá and Mogi.