Rice blast and insect pests have laid a ceiling on the grain yield of irrigated rice in tropical regions. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of calcinated serpentinite and wallastonite on rice blast severity and insect pest incidence as well as grain yield of rice, in the main and ratoon crops. The effect of calcinated serpentinite and wollastonite rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 Mg ha-1) on leaf blast severity were assessed on cultivar Metica 1, under greenhouse conditions. Two field experiments were conducted in the municipality of Dueré, and two in Formoso do Araguaia, in the State of Tocantins. The treatments consisted of five doses of calcinated serpentinite (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Mg ha-1) with and without fungicide application, and two genotypes BRS Formoso CNA 8502, susceptible and resistant to rice blast, respectively. The calcinated serpentinte was as much as, or more efficient than, wollastonite in reducing blast severity. It increased biomass, grain yield and percentage of endosperms without lesions caused by the rice stink bug. The application of Si contributed to sustainable management of blast and insect pest by reducing the number and doses of chemical foliar sprays, besides increasing the rice quality.
Oryza sativa; rice blast; Pyricularia grisea; Oebalus spp.; serpentinite; wollastonite
