Soluble silicon, the "plant available" portion of the silica, makes up the largest portion of soil chemistry. It is found in plant tissue in amounts that are equal to its essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg). Especially with turfgrass, silicon is found at higher levels than most nutrients. A turfgrass management program that includes silicon fertilization is essential because:

• Available silicon is leached from the soil by normal growth demands and weathering while it is typically not replenished by any fertilization program.
  
• Plants grown in soils with high soluble silicon levels have a reduced susceptibility to disease, drought, and other plant stresses.
  
• Silicon has been shown to reduce phosphorus leaching while at the same time increasing phosphorus plant availability.
  
• Silicon’s activity in the soil matrix has been proven to improve micronutrient uptake (boron, copper, iron, manganese, zinc), and reduce toxic metal uptake (aluminum and sodium).
  
• Silicon promotes root rhizome development and size.

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Has there been any significant evaluation of the importance of soluble silicon to plant growth?

Yes. The evaluation of silicon in agriculture has been ongoing in earnest for at least the past 25 years. In fact in 1999 the University of Florida, and others sponsored a "Silica in Agriculture" conference were much of the latest information was published.

Dr. Emanuel Epstein, University of California (Davis) has published extensively on silica and plant health and has verified that silicon absorbed by plants:

• Is deposited in and strengthens cell walls,
• Results in plants being more resistant to insect attack, disease, and fungal invasion
• Makes some plants more productive, increased yields.

Other Studies (Dr. J Chen—University of Florida, Dr. James Menzies—University of Laval, CA) identified additional benefits of Silicon including:

• Increase in resistance to toxic elements in soil,
• Improvement in resistance to frost and drought
• Increased disease resistance

Studies by the University of Florida of Silicon in the Environment have Identified:

• Decreases in the leaching potential of phosphorus applied as a fertilizer or manure amendment.
• USGA Study - Silicon Controls Gray Leaf Spot in Bermudagrass - Download now ...

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How does Calcium Silicate work?

There is no evidence showing that silicon is involved in a plants metabolism, however, Silicon is well known to mechanically strengthen cell tissue through silicon accumulation in the cell wall.

• In comparison to essential elements, silicon primarily improves the plant's tissue mechanically and secondarily, physiologically.
• Stronger cells and cell walls leads to better traffic wear and pest resistance.
  
• Stronger cuticle development reduces fungal attack.
  
• Silicon and calcium both improve the cation and ion exchange between the plant and applied fertilizers making chemical fertilizers more efficient.
  
• Most importantly, due to enhanced phosphorus uptake a stronger, larger root structure is developed yielding better moisture, nutrient, and fertilizer uptake.

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