History of Silicon and Plant Disease

Abstract

The use of silicon in agriculture probably began in China more than 2000 years ago because farmers at that time incorporated rice straw along with manure as a fertilizer to enhance plant performance and yield. In 1917, the potential of silicon to reduce blast on rice was first reported by a plant chemist, and his discovery launched a cascade of silicon research in Japan. The role of silicon in plant growth and potential disease reduction was first noted for dicots in 1939. As a result of research from the 1980s until today, silicon’s potential to decrease the intensity of many diseases is now known for a large number of plant species. Since the early discovery that this quasi-essential element believed to be unimportant in plant development plays a major role in reducing plant diseases, research has revealed that amending plants with silicon is a simple, sustainable way to help maintain and enhance plant health in agriculture.