The Interaction Between Boron and Silicon
Boron interacts with Silica and stimulates the nutrient flow along the transport way the Silicon creates.
Silicon Availability in Agriculture
Silicon quality products are somewhat limited in supply in the agricultural market and as such, is part of the reason they haven’t been widely used in previous years which is why some of you are wondering about this mysterious element. Silicon is in the soil in very abundant quantities (2nd most abundant mineral on Earth), but generally is not available to the plant unless made so by biology. The higher the biological activity in the soil, the greater the availability or conversion of natural silicon into a usable form for the plant.
The Boron-Silicon Synergy in Nutrient Transport
Silicon forms capillary action in the soil that transports nutrients up the profile, to do so though it relies on Boron to initiate stimulation.
Liebig’s Law and Boron/Silicon Deficiencies
As we should do, working off of Liebig’s Law of the Minimum with growth is not dictated by total resources available, but by the scarcest resource, it should be obvious but if EITHER Boron or Silicon is deficient (especially both), soil biology and nutrient availability in the soil will function below its capacity.
Causes of Boron and Silicon Deficiencies
Heavy use of cultivations and nitrogen are the most common causes of creating Boron and Silicon deficiencies by killing off soil biology that creates and maintains clay/humus complexes. Following the death of soil microbes and deterioration of soil organic matter, this releases a flush of boron and silicon which too easily leaches away out of the profile.
Impact on Nutrient Transport and Plant Quality
Without the transport of the two elements above, nowhere near as much nutrient reaches the leaves or seeds which impacts on quality and plant health. Chemical ‘modern’ agriculture bypasses this to some extent, as even with a weak transport system, nutrients in a form of high solubility, such as potassium nitrate, is simply taken up along with water. Though this dilutes the sap (reducing plant health and nutrient density), it flows quite easily due to low sap density. This is why chemically grown foods commonly have coarse, watery cell structure, as well as lower nutrition and poorer keeping quality. However, without a robust transport system, heavier, less soluble nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, carbohydrate-and-amino-acid complexes can easily be left behind, having a large impact on raising plant quality, brix levels and crop health as is desired.
