Are Clay Minerals a Significant Source of Si for Crops? A Comparison of Amorphous Silica and the Roles of the Mineral Type and pH

Identifying the source(s) of silicon (Si) for plant is a key issue in understanding terrestrial cycle Si and deciphering reservoir bioavailable to accumulating crops. In soils, amorphous Si, one most source, mostly present as phytoliths has been suggested use fertilizer by diatomite application. Although clay minerals are known contribute nutrition, their role major source silica plants not fully addressed. We aim at evaluating efficiency conducted two pot experiments: wheat-growing experiment compare (vermiculitic) mineral particles (diatomite, which used phytolith substitute), rice-growing types (kaolinite vs montmorillonite) common rice cultivation. confirmed that was more efficient than vermiculite uptake wheat. However, significantly different between 5% substrate 25% indicating clays may challenge silica, The kaolinite probably delivered less montmorillonite because lower specific surface area pH substrates. Because generally much abundant soils we concluded be substantial plants, depending on mineralogy.