Some significant functions of silicon to higher plants

Silicon may be regarded as an essential element to cereals plant from an agronomic viewpoint. It is implicated as a factor influencing the degree of susceptibility of cereals to fungal attack. Vegetation in the tropics contains much more silicon for the protection. Once the silicon dioxide has been taken up by plants, it is rapidly accumulated in insoluble form and remains in the tissues. Yield response over the control will not be obtained if available silicon exceeds 11 mg SiO₂/100 g in the soil. The addition of silicon to the culture solution, at the rate of 75 ppm Si, decreased the accumulation of Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, N, P and transpiration rate, but increased Ca, Mg, Si and carbohydrate contents. It is concluded that addition of silicon is particularly effective when combined with a heavy rate of nitrogen and magnesium.