The Hidden Nutrient

The word Silicate reminds us of sand and the earth’s surface is made up of one third Silica and is called the glass element of the mineral family.

The element that is regarded as the hidden nutrient is the “plant available” Silicate. This nutrient was regarded as not important to botanists as they believed that plant growth was determined by the major nutrients and this nutrient was not required to produce plant survival.

Therefore this nutrient was written out of the major plant sciences as a nuisance element until 1910 when a book was published called the “Forgotten Nutrient” this publication only seemed to stir the science fraternity to revisit this element for a closer look.

This nutrient in the past 12 years is enjoying a resurgence, scientific data that has been gathered regards this nutrient as a major player in plant health, animals and humans.

This unique nutrient has the ability to substantially improve crop/plant/pasture health with the result that it can cope with periods of stress far more efficiently. The plant then is more productive and more efficient in storing nutrients in the growing points such as fruit, boll, grain. This higher translocation of nutrients results in produce of a much higher quality whether it is fruit, vegetables, grain or pasture.

The Silicate will interact in a positive manner improving agronomic performance and efficiency in terms of yield response, due to the fact that it increases the translocation of nutrients within the plant. It will also result in a substantial reduction in cuticular transpiration due to increased water efficiency within the plant.

Agronomic Silicon management, in the correct formula and application rate, is essential for good plant health, consistently giving high quality produce and good productivity in agriculture.

Silicon has many potential benefits:

In sufficient supply in the soil solution it gives healthy growth and productive development.

Proper silicon management reduces the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses.

Some of the benefits already recorded in the field are:

• Create greater tolerance of environmental stresses (such as Cold, heat drought, salinity, mineral toxicity or deficiency.)
• Improves growth rates.
• Increases metabolic rates.
• Increases sugar levels.
• Increases resistance to insects and fungi
• Releases phosphorus & other locked up nutrients
• Increases photosynthesis
• Increases root health and development.
• Increases mechanical strength( stronger stems, more erect leaf)

Soluble Silicon is a natural soil acid, not to be confused with Silicates that have been treated by heat and converted into siliceous material depremental to animal and human health.

This nutrient is derived from rock minerals such as Micas and Phyrophillites also clays, the plant utilises this element to strengthen cell structure and increasing succrose (plant sugars) giving better health to the plant.

That’s it, with the 6 keys in place they are the combination to natural fertility.

All this information, plus more is available in a printed booklet form.

INTERSTATE ENERGY GROUP. PO Box 1039, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340. Ph. (03) 5367 0725, Fax. (03) 5367 0726.
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