Silica Additives
Various research projects conducted over the past 40 years (coupled
with regular feedback from users of SilikaMajic) have shown that the
presence of silica (SiO2) in plant
tissue produces many beneficial side effects:
+
Increased
strength and rigidity of stems -
once silica is taken up by the roots, it is deposited in the plant’s
cell walls as a solid silica matrix equivalent to quartz. This
structure produces stronger and more rigid cell walls and hence a
‘mechanically’ stronger plant. This enables better leaf
orientation for receiving light which in turn enhances photosynthesis
and growth rates.
+
Improved healing of pruning wounds - silica enables pruning wounds
to heal more quickly and neatly. This property is especially beneficial
in commercial cropping of plants such as tomato and cucumber where
regular pruning threatens the plant's survival.
+
Increased fruit weight - accumulation of silica in plant cells can
result in higher fruit weight.
+
Increased leaf strength - improved resistance to wilting,
particularly noticeable during hot weather.
+
Increased tolerance to high salinity - silica has been shown to
reduce problems arising from nutrient toxicity (e.g. sodium, chloride)
and/or imbalance.
When to use Silica?
Silica should be used from seed to harvest: To benefit new growth,
silica must be present at all times in the nutrient solution. Electron
microscopy and x-ray analysis both confirm that once silica is deposited,
it can no longer be redistributed within the plant.
Note, silica cannot be included in concentrated
nutrient formulations because stable silica solutions are by nature highly
alkaline. It must therefore be added separately.
