Silicon, more vital than expected
Changing weather conditions, large temperature fluctuations, frost,
drought, and finally pathogen infections and pests are the major stress
factors for plants. INTERMAG experts recommend to take preventive
actions in order to activate the natural plant defense systems, stimulate
their growth and development, and strengthen tissues. OPTYSIL®, siliconbased anti-stress agent with biostimulating properties protects plants
against stress factors by providing the best possible development
conditions. The product is part of a strategy to support natural plant
resistance - Stress Control System (SCS).
Underestimated importance of silicon
Elements play an increasingly important role in plant production, which have not
been previously considered vital macro and micronutrients for plant life. There is a
growing number of scientific studies confirming the beneficial effect of silicon. Plants
found to be silicon-deficient show signs of growth, development and reproduction
disorders, as well as higher sensitivity to toxic substances, pathogens and pests. It
has been proven that silicon has a significant effect on the regulation of nutrient
uptake by plants - it has been demonstrated that it regulates the absorption of
phosphorus significantly enough so that plant fertilized with half a dose of
phosphorus show no symptoms of a deficit of this element. Silicon has a beneficial
effect on the ionic balance in plants and reduces toxic effects of excess manganese
and iron. The fact that this element accumulates in the cell walls, results in an
increased rigidity and resistance to mechanical damage. Thicker and harder cell walls
provide a natural barrier to pathogens that are less virulent to silicon-rich plants.
Silicon increases resistance to adverse environmental and weather conditions,
including too low temperature and water deprivation. Plants treated with silicon
produce higher biomass.
Perfect solution
Unique benefits to plants resulting from the silicon treatment have forced many
scientists and process engineers to develop persistent liquid forms for foliar
applications. Treatment with a product containing an easily assimilable silicon is often
the only way to prevent the negative effects of its deficiency. The ideal product
containing 200 g of silicon as SiO2 per litre is OPTYSIL® manufactured by INTERMAG.
OPTYSIL® as an anti-stress agent has a positive effect on the condition of
plants exposed to stress factors such as: drought, soil salinity, infection by fungal
pathogens and pests. Silicon present in OPTYSIL® strengthens plant cell walls and
increases plant resistance to mechanical damage (e.g. damage to fruit during
collection and transport, lodging). In roots, the mechanical layer containing silicon
inhibits infections caused by certain soil pathogens. In drought periods, OPTISIL®
reduces the effects of water stress through an improved root growth, reduced water
evaporation, and an increased photosynthesis efficiency. It stimulates the uptake and
utilization of nutrients (especially phosphorus) from the soil.
OPTYSIL® is used in agricultural, fruit and vegetables crops at a dose of 0.5
l/ha. It must be kept in mind that the best results are obtained when the product is
applied before the biotic or abiotic stress conditions and symptoms on plants have
occurred. Treatments must be repeated every 7-10 days starting from the early
stages of plant development.
OPTYSIL® is a product which fits perfectly into the concept of integrated crop
production and may be used in organic farming.
Implementation of OPTYSIL® containing easily assimilable silicon ions into plant
production technology significantly facilitates cultivation by minimizing the negative
impact of stress caused by abiotic and biotic factors. Unique properties of the
product, as well as its reasonable price are the key arguments for its use.