Silicon Biogeochemistry and Bioavailability in Soil

Abstract

Whether silicon (Si) deficiency occurs in plants depends largely on plant-available Si concentration in soils but not on total Si content. Si bioavailability in soils is related closely to soil Si biogeochemistry including biogeochemical cycling of Si, forms and solubility of Si in soils and solubility of Si in soils. This chapter deals in detail with soil Si biogeochemistry and bioavailability, solid forms of Si in soils, Si in natural waters, soluble and plant-available Si in soils, and Si-supplying power.