Typical Analysis of Palagonite

Silicon 22.30%
Aluminium 7.70%
Iron 10.10%
Manganese 0.23%
Magnesium 3.30%
Calcium 5.10%
Sodium 2.36%
Phosphorus 0.24%

Potassium 0.77%
Total Carbon 0.03%
Total Nitrogen 0.03%
Cobalt 60.0 ppm
Copper 40.0 ppm
Nickel 90.0 ppm
ZinC 170 ppm
Molybdenum 1.0-3.0 ppm

Selenium 0.3-0.8 ppm
Chloride 62 ppm est
Sulphur 4.4 ppm
Boron 0.06 ppm
Paramagnetism 600-1300c/g/s
Water holding Capacity >65%
pH 8-8.5
Cation Exchange Capacity  35meq/100g

Synthesis of the benefits of Si for crops under various environmental stresses; the mechanical mechanism is due to the presences of phytoliths.

Synthesis of the benefits of Si for crops under various environmental stresses; the mechanical mechanism is due to the presences of phytoliths.

Benefit of Silica on Plants

The benefical effects of Silica have been thought to be due to the precipitation of amorphous silica in plants which acts as a mechanical barrier (Cheng 1982; Jones and Handreck 1967). Silica protects the plant by other processes which can boost the defense mechanisms, including the accumulation of lignin, phenolic compounds, and phytoalexins (Epstein 1999; Fawe et al. 2001; Ma and Yamaji 2006).

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