SILICON COMPLEX

Facts known about Silicon that should be of importance to those who manage fine quality turfgrass for a living include:

• Silicon has not been proven to be an essential mineral element for higher plants. It is however well established as a beneficial mineral element for higher plants, the grasses in particular.
• The non-evidence for silicon as a essential element in higher plants is still based on only a few studies.
• The role of silicon in plants has to be separated into aspects; first its possible function as an essential trace element, and secondly its accumulation in large quantities in organs and cells of many species with effects on the physical nature of these plants.
• In soil solutions the prevailing form of silicon is monosilic acid.
• Acid soils tend to contain higher concentrations of Si in soil solution and liming has been found to decrease the uptake of Si.
• Plant species can differ in their capacity to take up Silicon.
• The grasses have the capacity to take in larger quantities of Si than do the broad leafs.
  
• Rice is the grass most often used to study the physiological effects of growth in the absence of added silica. Typical symptoms of silicon deficiency in rice necrosis In the leaves; growth is retarded and the leaves wilt.
• In rice and sugarcane, the amendment of soils with silicate materials has entered commercial practice. Sometimes the resultant yield increases have been quite large.
• In grasses a considerable portion of Si in the epidermis on both leaf surfaces is located intracellularly. Silica is also deposited in the cell walls of xylem vessels, preventing compression of the vessels under conditions of high transpiration.
• In crops silicon can stimulate growth and yield by several indirect actions.
• In turf well supplied with Si, the transpiration coefficients are lower.
• Evidence exists, though not yet proven that there is greater resistance to fungal attack by turf well supplied with Si.
• There is considerable structural rigidity of turf well supplied with Si. This is the primary reason for its use on putting greens. Structural rigidity may increase green speed without lowering cutting height.
• Application of Si-containing foliar fertilizers of high quality is the best way to increase the availability of silicate in plant tissue.
• As yet there is little biochemical evidence to justify Si as an essential element for higher plants and further careful research on the effects of Si on plant growth and reproduction is needed.

GRIGG BROTHERS non-ionic, organic surfactant, INTAKE, is recommended for all foliar applications to decrease drop size and enhance wetting of entire surface.

IMPORTANT: For best results apply as a foliar spray early in the morning or late evening. Allow to dry on plant 6 hours before irrigation.

GRIGG BROS. Chelates are especially designed to mix with phosphate fertilizers. With severe deficiency use the highest rate of application.

TURF GRASSES: Apply 1-3 oz. per 1000 Sq. Ft. Repeat as needed.