Celt that is great that you think Silica alone provided better overall yields but being Frank here I would say you just are becoming better grower, and reading your plants better ..
Out of curiosity how much did it cost per run of this product to get 1/4 pound more in product if i understand you numbers correctly or 4 oz
Curious here lets say it cost a person how much ??? and it cost 430bucks for another light lets make it 1215 DE unit would it not increase yields possibly by 48 oz rather then 4 oz gain i mean some ways to increase yields is adding more light and 1215 watt nano lux DE unit lands 3 + every time for only 435 dollars one time shot and of course manipulating plants for lots of tops that has been known alone to get great results So i think that Silica played very little in you gains you have started manipulating plants like you said super crop the hell out of them that alone with out any supliments you will see gains of 4 - 8 oz per plant but your training plants and of course skills of dialing in a grow room was the key factor in your gains and most importantly is experience
I always wondered if MJ can be classified as a Brod leaf plant if so then like i said ,
tests have proven only 0.5 percent Silica is in leaf matter
Osa have you had leafs , buds tested for silica content or mono acid perentage ?? really curious or has anyone ????
Because i think if there is truly very little amounts of it then this whole theory can be Bull shit
when we look at our trichomes what are they but chemical released from the plant to PROTECT SEED and only SEED we figured out the benefits of it lol its real purpose is to protect seed from predators , pathogens etc
Its the plant that releases Chemicals through the root system to attract beneficial organisms which also help in combating Disease etc its not what it really uptaked its what it repelled
There is always a war going on under the soil between plant and microbes truthfully speaking there both fighting on which one will actually protect the plant .
you truly want to up your game in all aspect never mind one element that plant hardly uses to begin with and study , and master mycorrhizal network
This is a great discussion! Thank you for input everyone. Remember that improving results of any kind is never a one trick pony... no magic bullets! One weak spoke and the wheel turns slower. Many silicic acid actions create secondary benefits, much like the way a catalyst facilitate a chemical reaction by being there but isn't really a part of it...
@KillingTime You are correct that silicon accumulation is a quite small percentage of dry weight in cannabis--as with most dicots. But simple weight isn't the only way yields are shown to increase. Also correct that CO2 outperforms silicic acid on yield; but that's like saying a quarterback does a better job of scoring that a center, so the center doesn't matter.
The "essential element" list is has a very narrow definition (basically: needed to survive and reproduce). Just like food, the daily RDI is not the
optimal amount of a compound, it's the "don't get scurvy" levels. Survive versus thrive.
1) Silicic acid is also shown to help convert nitrates into amino acids and protein, which contribute to weight. Suppressing plant sap nitrate level increases Brix and raises pH, both of which contribute to quality and defense systems.
2) It also creates a strong vascular system (through xylem cell structure rigidity) which allows better uptake and transport of other nutrients. More building blocks, more mass.
3) Due to better cell structure (with the help of calcium), leaves are mechanically more resistant to fungal infections and penetrating pests.
4) Silicic acid is also shown to assist in osmoregulation, due to better cell structure. The larger vascular system allows more water and nutrients in > higher respiration increases CO2 absorption > structural enhancements increase canopy light exposure > higher photosynthesis increases sugar production > faster creation of plant fibers and root exudates (increasing microbial activity and secondary metabolites).
5) Then there's the stress reduction--silicic acid is shown to activate immunity genes, increasing defense response against disease and pest pressure. It accumulates at higher rates under mechanical stress (watch the knuckles form after breaking) and in general creates strong plants less affected.
And yes microbes are CRUCIAL in your growing media. The challenge with silicon is that most forms in the soil are minimally reactive (like sand) and thus requires a lot of energy to break apart. Silicic acid production can and does occur in good soils with established microlife and solid organic chemistry. This is not the environment with most indoor cultivations.
Just like supplements needed for other nutrients deleted from a 5 gallon pot of soil, silicic acid is important for optimal growth. Since plants don't "need" silicon, it's not the first priority for the plant--yes the plant cultures the proper microbes (through targeted exudates) for what it most needs.
@CelticEBE Great explanation of the effect of a woman on a garden. I think them bitches just get jealous of each other!