Imagine your crops thriving, standing tall and resilient, even in the face of strong winds. Picture them effortlessly fighting off pests and diseases, while adapting to drought and saline soils without skipping a beat.
Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary power of a seemingly ordinary nutrient – Silicon.
While we’re all familiar with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, silicon has quietly been making waves as a significant nutrient for plants. Let’s dive into what makes silicon so special and why it matters for your crops.
Importance of Silicon for Crops
- Silicon strengthens plant tissues and structures. When absorbed by plant roots, silicon is deposited in cell walls, forming a framework that provides rigidity and support.
- This means that your plants become tougher, better equipped to withstand strong winds, heavy rain and even mechanical damage.
- It activates the plant’s immune responses, stimulating the production of defense compounds against pests and disease. This makes plants more resistant to pathogens and pests.
- Silicon aids in enhancing plant resilience to various abiotic stresses. It helps plants cope with conditions such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity.
- It also regulates water uptake, improving the plant’s ability to withstand water scarcity and maintain proper hydration.
- It facilitates the uptake and utilization of other essential nutrients within plants. It improves the absorption of nutrients like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, optimizing their availability and utilization.
- When applied to root zone, it may reduce the toxicity of iron, aluminum and manganese.
What are the sources of silicon for plants?
Plants naturally absorb silicon through the weathering and erosion of soil minerals like silicates and clay minerals, which occur over time as rocks break down.
Different ways by which we can add or incorporate silicon nutrient into soil include;
- Incorporating certain organic materials, such as rice husk, rice straw and sugarcane bagasse rich sources of silica into the soil.
- For example; Rice husk has an exceptional silica content of up to 28%, potentially the highest among all plant materials. When the dry matter of this plant is burned, the resulting ash contains silicon, which can be utilized as soil application.
- Depending on the source, irrigation water may cont ain dissolved silicon. If the water source is rich in silicon, it can contribute to the plant’s silicon uptake.
- Specialized silicon fertilizers are available. These products are designed to supply plants with a concentrated form of silicon.
- Certain beneficial microorganisms, like silicon-solubilizing bacteria can enhance silicon availability in the soil, facilitating plant uptake.
Crops rich in Silicon
Rice, Sugarcane, Bamboo, Maize, Barley, Wheat, Oats, Wheat.
Unlock the power of silicon with ‘Geolife Tabsil’ for guaranteed strong plant growth!
Geolife Tabsil – Ortho silicic acid (12%)
- Tabsil is available in effervescent tablets which makes it easy to apply to all types of crops.
- It is a non-toxic, residue free, and eco-friendly product.
- It is water soluble and hence it is easily absorbed by plants.
- Regular application of Tabsil provides plants with enhanced immunity, reducing the need for chemical sprays and promoting residue-free crop production.
- Crops recommended: All crops (Vegetables, flowers, cereals, pulses, fruits, spices and cotton)
Application Details
- Broadcast (For Paddy Crop): Tabsil tablets (1 kg/acre) can be applied at 40-45 days after transplanting of paddy crop in the field with a water level maintained up to 7 cm. Keep the water for about five days after treatment.
- Foliar Application Schedule:
| Crop | Time of Application | Dosage | Application Method |
| Maize, Wheat, and other cereals | After 40-45 DAS | 1 gm/lit of water | Give 2-3 sprays at an interval of 15 days |
| Cotton, Tomato, & Chilly | After 45 DAS or DAT | 1 gm/lit of water | Give 4-5 sprays at an interval of 15 days |
| Onion & other vegetables | After 45 DAS or DAT | 1 gm/lit of water | Give 3-4 sprays at an interval of 15 days |
| Cucurbits and Cole crops | After 45 DAS | 1 gm/lit of water | Give 2-3 sprays at an interval of 15 days |
| Grape, Pomegranate, and other Fruit crops | From 15 days before flowering | 1 gm/lit of water | Give 3-4 sprays at an interval of 20-25 days |
(*DAS – Days after sowing; DAT – Days after transplanting)
- Drenching: Apply Tabsil (500 gm/acre or 2.5 ml/lit of water) through drenching at vegetative stage of crop.
- Drip Irrigation: Tabsil (500 gm/acre or 2.5 ml/lit of water) can be applied at vegetative stage of the crop with an interval of 30 days.
NOTE:
- Early application helps plants establish stronger cell walls from the beginning.
- Splitting the applications also helps prevent excessive accumulation or leaching of silicon in the soil.
- Applying silicon alongside nutrients like calcium and potassium can enhance their uptake and utilization by the crops.
- Recommended to spray along with insecticide/fungicide to increase their performance.
- Silicon wetting agents to be used along with pesticide/fungicide/growth promoters: Tapas silicon sticking & spreading agent, Stick N Spread, Shamrock Super Shot.
Conclusion
So, don’t overlook the power of silicon in plant nutrition. Embrace the power of this and witness the transformation in your crops. Let silicon be the secret weapon in your farming, fortifying your plants’ cell walls and making them stronger, more resistant, and ultimately more productive.