Silicon Status in Soils and Their Benefits in Crop Production

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen. It is a beneficial element that influences the growth, development, and yield of many crops, especially grasses and grass family crops by enhancing the lodging resistant, insect/disease resistant, nutrient balance, and eliminating metal toxicity. In huge quantities in soil, silicon exists as SiO2, which plants are unable to absorb. Plants absorb silicon in the form of monosilicic acid (from the soil solution) from all the silicon sources in the soil that are in balance. However, the natural release of monosilicic acid from silica is a slow process. The available silicon content increases the available phosphorus content by reducing their fixation. It is also reduces the toxicity of heavy metals and provides the balance of nutrients that are suitable for obtaining desirable crop production.