ABSTRACT Partial replacement of synthetic chemical fertilizers by naturally occurring alternatives is environmentally recommended. Feldspars (F), quartz silica (S), and zeolites (Z) are silicon (Si)-rich minerals that may be utilized as Si fertilizers. This study aims to assess the agronomic efficiency (AE) of the mentioned minerals as Si fertilizers and to estimate Si-use efficiency (Si-UE) in sandy soil. A field experiment was carried out (summer seasons of 2016 and 2017) in which F, S, and Z were mixed with surface soil in an application rate 500 mg kg−1 soil with and without potassium humate (K-H, 2 mg kg−1 soil). Treatments were distributed in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates including control before cultivation of soybean (Glycine max L.). Yield (kg ha−1) of soybean, available Si (mg kg−1) in soil and uptake (mg kg−1) of N, P, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Si by soybean seeds and straw were estimated. The most significant increase was by 67.87% followed by 38.69% was recorded for the S and S K-H treatments, compared to the control. Same treatments showed nonsignificant decrease in the available Si (mg kg−1) that may refer to partial replenishment of plant available Si (PAS) in soil and avoid significant deficiency. Silica treatments resulted in the most significant increase in the uptake (mg kg−1 soil) of Si, N, P, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by seeds and almost by straw. Silica was more efficient agronomically than feldspar and zeolite. Absorption of more biocompatible Si-organo species may depend on Si source.