The following benefits have been long realized by farmers using Silicon based fertilizers across Australia in commercial situations. These range from horticulture, viticulture, broadacre cereal, horticulture, orchards, sugarcane, rice, pasture, beef, sheep and dairy to name a few.
These results have been consistently realized in all types of climatic conditions, such as droughts, dry periods, water-logged conditions, acid soils, saline soils irrespective of the soil type, soil texture and soil pH.
The outstanding feature of mineral fertilizers observed over many years is the increased fertility and productivity that comes with using a programme based upon mineral fertilizers, whether it be mineral fertilizers alone or in conjunction with conventional chemical or artificial fertilizers.
Scientific studies from around the world and here in Australia highlight the fact that 85% (CSIRO) of phosphorus applied in fertilizer is locked up in an inaccessible form to any crop/pasture/plant. Refer CSIRO Media Release - Ref 98/38 - Feb 19 , 1998.
The problems in soil that reduce productivity & quality of produce, economic viability and capital value of any farm are definitively outlined in “Soil Indicators of Changing Land Quality & Capital Value” CSIRO Technical Report No. 17/97 are all addressed by the utilization of silicate based mineral fertilizers, to which end I have extensive results in Australia using this eco-friendly, eco reactive organically certified mineral fertilizer.
The only cost-effective and proficient method of releasing this and other locked-up nutrients is using silicate minerals. method of For honesty, integrity and transparency, I have included scientific validation of silicate based mineral fertilizers from around the world as to the benefits imparted to soil, plants and how they reduce disease and pests and water consumption. This research bears out what many farmers are recording on their farming operations.
The use of mineral fertilizers will enhance a farmer’s bottom line and long term viability & sustainability.
SUMMARY:
Silicate has many potential benefits.
Sufficient supply results in healthy growth + productive development.
Applied silicate interacts positively with applied N, P + K improving their agronomic performance & efficiency with respect to yield and responses.
Silicate also imparts ability to resist or tolerate biotics such as attack of insect pests and fungal attacks.
Silicate also alleviates abiotic stresses due to acidity, salinity and toxicities.
Silicate also reduces water loss and transpiration
Silicate minimizes lodging in cereals caused by high nitrogen application.
References:
1. “Soluble Silicon .. Its Role in Crop & Disease Management in Greenhouse Crops” Plant Disease Vol 79 No 4 pp 329 - 336 1979
Richard Belanger Univ Laval Quebec Canada
P Bowen D Ehret, J Menzies, Pacific Agriculture Research Centre, Agriculture &Agri-Food Canada Canada
2. “Silicon”
E Epstein Annu Rev Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol 1999:50:641-64
3. “Silica in Soils, Plants and Animals”
Jones L & Handreck K Adv in Agron. 19:107-149
4. “Silicon Management in Sustainable Rice Production”
Advances in Agronomy Volume 58 pp174-175
N Savant, StaSav International Florence Alabama
G H Snyder Dept Soil-Water Science , Univ Florida Florida USA
L Datnoff Plant Pathology Univ Florida Florida USA
5. Phytopathol Z 12:427 – 479
F Wagner
6. “The Anomaly of Silicon in Plant Biology” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol 91:11 – 17 (1994)
E Epstein
7. Journal of Plant Nutrition Volume 27, Number 8 /2004 Pages: 1457 - 1470 “Silicon Improves Water Use Efficiency in Maize Plants”
8. Okuda A & Takahasi E 1965 The Role of Silicon In “The Mineral Nutrition of the Rice Plant” pp 126-146 John Hopkins Press, Baltimore, MD
9. “Effect of Silicon Rock Powder on Growth of Wheat in Western Australia” Fertil Res 45:69 – 79
Hinsinger P
10. “Effect of Silicon Fertilisation on Crops in China” Proceedings Silicon in Agriculture Conference 1999 Florida USA
Delong Cai Institute of Geographical Research of Henan, Academy of Science, Zhengzhou Henan, PR China
11. “Effect of Silicon on Yield” Proceedings Silicon in Agriculture Conference 1999 Florida USA
L Datnoff, G Snyder University of Florida Florida USA
12. “Yield Response to Silicon Fertilisers in China” Proceedings Silicon in Agriculture Conference 1999 Florida USA
Li Chunhua & Chu Tianduo Soils & Fertiliser Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing PR China
13. “Effect of Silicon on Growth of Cucumber” Soil Sci Plant Nutr. 29:463 – 471
Miyake Y & Takahashi
14. “Effects of Silicon and Nitrogen Supply on Leaf Characteristics”
Plant Soil 31:48-56
15. “Silicate alleviates Salt Stress” Plant Science 167 (2004) 3:527 – 533
16 ”Effect Silicate minerals on low pH Soil, Phosphorus Sorption & on Uptake and Plant Growth” Communications in Soil Science & Plant Analysis 35 (2004) 15 -16:2369 – 2378
17. “Soil Indicators of Changing Land Quality & Capital Value” CSIRO Technical Report No. 17/97
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