Silicon for Plants: Strength of the Support Skeleton
Silicon (= Silicium) (Si)
For the plant – strength of the supporting skeleton.
In the plant organism silicon affects stem strength, resistance to lodging, flowering strength, and fruit set energy. It increases the absorption of phosphorus by plants due to the increased solubility of soil phosphates under the influence of silicic acid.
Silicon is present in the fibers of the mechanical tissues of all plants and provides strength to the supporting skeleton.
The silicon content in plants averages 0.02–0.15%, while in hay it is 0.1–3% (by weight).
The tougher the plant stem, the higher the silicon content in its ash. The highest amount of silicon is found in plants (and feed from them) growing in steppe, semi-desert, desert, and mountainous areas.
The tougher the plant stem, the higher the silicon content in its ash. The highest amount of silicon is found in plants (and feed from them) growing in steppe, semi-desert, desert, and mountainous areas.
Reduced content of assimilated silicon not only affects plant development, reducing yield and its quality, but also indirectly impacts agricultural animals and humans.
There is a significant problem with the transition of silicon from sand to a form available for plants. Cultivated plants have practically forgotten how to do this.
It has been noted that solar energy, partially absorbed by sand, increases the ability of silicon to transition into organic silicon-containing compounds under the influence of root exudates from plants. In sandy soils, well-warmed by the sun, the silicon content in plants is much higher than in clay soils.
It has been noted that solar energy, partially absorbed by sand, increases the ability of silicon to transition into organic silicon-containing compounds under the influence of root exudates from plants. In sandy soils, well-warmed by the sun, the silicon content in plants is much higher than in clay soils.
Record holders for silicon content among terrestrial plants are horsetails, mosses, grasses, and palms.
Plants containing silicon should not be consumed for long periods. Moreover, they are contraindicated in certain diseases: for example, preparations from field horsetail (due to its irritating effect) should not be used by people suffering from kidney diseases – nephritis and nephrosis, while stinging nettle and knotgrass have the property of increasing blood coagulation and are contraindicated in strokes and myocardial infarctions.
Medicinal plants containing silicon:
• field horsetail Equisetum arvense L., Equisetaceae (herb, contains 9% silica in dry raw material, and up to 96% in ash);
• bird knotweed (= knotgrass) Polygonum aviculare L., Polygonaceae (herb);
• alfalfa Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae (herb);
• stinging nettle Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae (leaves);
• fenugreek Trigonella foenum–graecum L., Fabaceae (seeds);
• Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L., Asteraceae (tubers, content – 8%);
• rice Oryza sativa L., Poaceae (husk, content – up to 10%).
• field horsetail Equisetum arvense L., Equisetaceae (herb, contains 9% silica in dry raw material, and up to 96% in ash);
• bird knotweed (= knotgrass) Polygonum aviculare L., Polygonaceae (herb);
• alfalfa Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae (herb);
• stinging nettle Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae (leaves);
• fenugreek Trigonella foenum–graecum L., Fabaceae (seeds);
• Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L., Asteraceae (tubers, content – 8%);
• rice Oryza sativa L., Poaceae (husk, content – up to 10%).