The role and yield-forming effect of silicon application based on the example of global research

Abstract

Silicon (Si) is not assigned to the group of components necessary for plants, yet studies proved that it affects plant growth and yield positively. Silicon is abundant in soils, but for plants it is available as unstable orthosilicate acid H4SiO4. Plants with the highest demand for silicon include monocotyledonous species (rice, sugarcane, wheat) which uptake it through an active transport and accumulate it at the level > 1% Si in dry matter. Silicon has been applied to soil and plants in the production of crops worldwide for many years. Low and very low levels of available silicon has been found in tropical soils and the plants grown under this climate positively responded to fertilization with Si (increase in crop yields has been observed). Beneficial activity of Si is especially pronounced at biotic (diseases and insects) and abiotic (drought and salinity) stress. The results of the most recent studies proved that inclusion of Si into fertilization programme is also reasonable in the countries with a temperate climate. The article presents forms of application and yield-forming effects of silicon in the selected crop species.