Abstract
<p>Despite silicon not considered an essential nutrient, it is typically abundant in soils and is known to have beneficial effects when added to rice crops and several other plants. These beneficial effects include disease and pest resistance, structural fortification, and regulation of the uptake of other ions. In this study, the effect of silicic acid fertilization (Privi-Silixol) on the increased biomass, economic yields, pest and disease tolerance or resistance, NPK uptake and chlorophyll content for five crop plants (Cowpea, common beans, cabbage, maize, and rice) was evaluated. The approach was executed through a controlled greenhouse experiment using Acid Washed Sand as a neutral medium. Crops planted with Privi-Silixol alone or in combination with full or half rates of recommended inorganic fertilizer performed significantly (P≤0.05) better compared to all other treatments. Plants treated with Privi-Silixol had higher dry matter yield (DMY), chlorophyll content and NPK uptake. Maize, common bean, cowpea, cabbage and rice had better disease and pest resistance compared to the control plants. Collectively, these results indicate beneficial effects of silicon in DMY, chlorophyll content, pest and disease resistance, but additional studies are needed under farmers’ conditions to conclusively understand the interactions of silicon with other interacting factors in the field.</p>
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