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SILICON is not regarded as an essential element for crop growth, yet every crop grown contains silicon and often in quantities similar to the macro elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
It has been known for decades that silicon is taken up by plants and deposited in cell walls, giving the plant structural strength by enhancing cell wall strength.
The result is that plants with adequate silicon are more resistant to lodging and more resistance to many pests (eg. sucking and chewing insects) and disease (eg. fungal diseases).
Silicon researchers have recently identified many other benefits of silicon.
They have conclusively proven that silicon also plays an important role in many biochemical pathways that increase the plants tolerance to many abiotic stresses (eg. drought, salinity, frost, heavy metals), and biotic stresses (eg. pests and diseases).
By priming the plant when stresses are first affecting the plant, the plant is better able to withstand these stresses.
The fact that stress (particularly abiotic stresses) has the biggest negative yield (and quality) impact, means growers must consider silicon in their fertiliser programs.
It is widely considered that soils are "full of silica" and no additional silicon is required.
Whilst it is true that soils may contain a lot of silica (particularly sandy soils), the silica is not in a form that can be absorbed by plants.
Silica must be in the plant available form (monosilicic acid) before it can be absorbed by plants.
So a soil may have a lot of silica in it but crops may be still silicon deficient.
The first step is to include silicon as an element to be included in soil tests.
For more information on Silicon, contact Agripower on 0438 954 500 (Vic Milward) or 0419 984 064 (Bruce Cairns).
- Copy supplied by Agripower.