See the details of using silicon in citrus as an input that has some serious benefits for Florida citrus growers.
“Silicon was officially recognized as a “plant beneficial substance” in 2012,” according to a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article, adding that “silicon (Si) is an emerging powerhouse in citrus production, offering wide-ranging benefits for plant health, fruit quality and stress resilience.” See the details below on using silicon in citrus.
The Role of Silicon
The article shares that “While not traditionally considered essential,” silicon “plays a multidimensional role in citrus plant physiology.” Silicon’s role includes:
- “Reinforces plant cell walls.”
- Improves “structural strength and reducing physical injury”
- “Enhances the plant’s natural defenses, inducing resistance against pathogens and increasing tolerance to climatic stresses such as drought, heat and freezing temperatures.”
The Benefits of Silicon in Citrus
According to the article, research has shown multiple benefits when using silicon in citrus as a supplemental input. These benefits include:
- Increased photosynthetic rate and leaf chlorophyll content
- Improved canopy growth and root architecture
- Enhanced fruit firmness, size and shelf life
- Greater nutrient-uptake efficiency
- Better post-freeze recovery and cold resilience
- Reduced fruit drop
- Improved Brix
- Reduction in leafminer damage
- Reduction in Asian citrus psyllid populations
Tips for Applying Silicon
The article shared the following advice for applying silicon:
- “UF/IFAS recommends those [silicon products] with a high concentration of monosilicic acid, the plant-available form rather than products primarily containing silicon dioxide, which is not readily absorbed by plants.”
- “Apply 150 to 200 parts per million of monosilicic acid in an alternating root and foliar application program, especially during active growth stages.”
- “For foliar application, monosilicic acid can be applied using any conventional sprayer.”
- “For root application, it is effectively delivered through drip irrigation or microsprinkler systems.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.