So much data on the benefit of Silica for plants. Horsetail foliar spray looks very very positive.
Different quotes;
"The different analyses showed the amount of silicon between 2% and 10% in the dry matter of some plant species. It is known that some solutions containing silicon were used for rice growing in China and Japan. Horsetail is characterized by the high amount of silicic acid. Bey [15] made some experiments for the silicon content at horsetails teas. The silicon was extracted by the using some solutions as hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, methanol, water and hydroxide. The average amount of silicon was about 5 which is 50 g·kg−1 of dry matter. Our results for the silicon concentration in horsetail reached from 2.64% to 4.80% of the dry matter. The lowest amount of silicon was in the range between 1.52% and 2.51%. The plant growth was not influenced by the highest levels of silicon. These results suggested that high silicon concentration in the soil did not cause higher concentrations in the plants tissues. The differences in plants’ growth"
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Silica – The Overlooked Element That Is Essential For Soil And Plant Health
For many years we have promoted the importance and benefits of Silica, a common but often overlooked element that is essential for soil and plant health.
In recent times industries such as cotton, sugar cane, small crops, turf and even pastures are recognizing the potential benefits of Silica.
Silicon, often referred to as Silica, is just one of many ‘bio-essential’ minerals. Many crops grown here in Australia such as rice, barley, oats, cotton, wheat, rye, sunflower, corn, sugar cane, potatoes, forage crops and small crops all benefit from high levels of silicic acid in their cell tissues.
Soil microbes convert silica to silicic acid (plant available form) for constant uptake by plants.
The benefits of Silica to your crop
Improved yield
In a trial of sugar cane, applications of silica (calcium silicate) improved the sugar yield by 38%.
Other trials have shown increased growth and yield in grain, legumes, small crops and tree crops.
Silica increases plant tolerance to drought, frost and lodging. Silica strengthens plant cells which means reduced water loss, less frost damage, more root growth and a decrease in lodging.
Fungal disease & pests reduced
Silica increases plant resistance to fungal disease and pest attack because of harder epidermal cells. Reduced brown spot, stem rot, powdery mildew and less caterpillar and aphid attack has resulted from the application of silica.
Benefits in high Salinity areas
Silica improves a plant’s ability to survive and even thrive in high salinity areas.
Increases uptake of plant nutrients…
Silica improves plant photosynthesis and aids in the plant uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and molybdenum. (Sources: Incitec Fertilizer Handbook 1990, Acres USA, Dr Lynette Morgan.).
Silica decreases toxicity
Silica regulates plant uptake of iron, manganese and aluminium thus helping to reduce their toxic effects on plant growth.
Improved colour and growth
Research has found that silica also plays a vital role and is essential for photosynthesis and chlorophyll formation (green colour) in plant leaves.
Availability of Silica in your soil
Silica is converted into plant available form (silicic acid) by soil microbes. If soil is microbe deficient or over-limed, the uptake of silica is reduced. Tests have shown that high organic matter in soil increases soluble silica while liming and the use of Nitrogen or Phosphate fertilizer lowers the soluble silica in soil.
Silica is not translocated in the plant
This means that Silica must be supplied through the entire growth stage if its benefits are to be carried through to all parts of the plant."
Silica is one of the most abundant elements on earth and can help alleviate the effects of biotic and abiotic stress in plants.
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