![]() ![]() In the case of powdery mildew and phytophthora, disease attack was delayed in silicon treated zinnia, rose, sunflower, cucumber (all powdery mildew) and gerbera (phytophthora), but after 1-3 weeks both silicon treated and untreated plants had the same amount of disease. Silicon has been found to increase certain plant species resistance to fungal pathogen attack. For example, research found when rice and wheat are silicon deficient, their stems weaken and easily collapse in wind or rain (a condition called lodging) poinsettias treated with silicon have shown reduced stem breakage. ![]() Also, silicon has been found to help increase stem strength. ![]() aluminum, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, etc.). It has been found to improve drought tolerance and delay wilting in certain crops where irrigation is withheld and may enhance the plant’s ability to resist micronutrient and other metal toxicities (i.e. Silicon seems to benefit certain plants when they are under stress. Some monocots (grasses) such as rice and other wetland grasses accumulate up to 5-10% silicon in their tissue, which is higher than normal ranges for nitrogen or potassium. Most dicots (broad leaf plants) take up small quantities of silicon and accumulate less than 0.5% in their tissue. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust and is found in significant quantities in the soil however, silicon can only be taken up by the plant in the form of mono-silicic acid. Silicon, which we'll look at in this article, is one of them. But, there are also non-essential elements that provide certain benefits to some plants. Among others, those include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Essential elements are nutrients without which plants cannot complete their lifecycle. ![]()
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