Silica, BYDV & Slugs

[Richard III]

It seems that applying silica to crops can reduce aphid attacks and reduce slug grazing.

http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1820-3949/2015/1820-39491502091M.pdf

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-014-0579-1

So why not use a silica dressing on wheat seed to reduce BYDV and slugs?

Has this been tried? If not, surely it's got to be worth a go?

 

[Simon Chiles]

It seems that applying silica to crops can reduce aphid attacks and reduce slug grazing.

http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1820-3949/2015/1820-39491502091M.pdf

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-014-0579-1

So why not use a silica dressing on wheat seed to reduce BYDV and slugs?

Has this been tried? If not, surely it's got to be worth a go?

@H.Jackson Wasn't this something you discussed with Sarah Singla on the way home from Groundswell last year?

 

[mikep]

This is the principle behind diatomaceous earth, the small silica particles abrade the exoskeleton of insects and they dehydrate and die. whether that would work in a damp conditions underground for slugs i dont know but certainly wouldnt work for aphids as not systemic. As an aside the silica dust in canary seed is very effective as well, i had a small bag from sweepings left in an old feed store progression of insects but non damaged it as even the grain mites died. as it is the last crop i combine i dont clean the combine until spring as insects and vermin will not live with it and protects the machine better than anything else, thats biological pest control

 

[ladycrofter]

This just caught my eye although we don't crop. I had one of my classes researching food loss before harvest, and wondered if sand would stop slugs. We collected (quite a few) slugs and put them in choice chambers with 2 sections loam and 2 sections sharp sand. Pretty much universally they turned back at the sand.

I have no idea what is practical in a field but it would be interesting to spread sand on one and see what happens.

 

[Richard III]

The trial work I've seen involves applying a liquid formulation (which I think is salicylic acid), this is incorporated into the cell walls of the plant making it tougher and more resistant to attack. From the research I've seen it appears reasonably effective against aphids, but not good enough to rely on on it's own. This would suit me perfectly, as the natural predators in No Till are usually capable of handling aphids on their own most years. I think it can be applied as a seed dressing or a foliar spray, but I've no idea of cost or how long acting it is.

Silica sprays have reduced slug grazing in experiments, but I'm not sure that a tougher wheat leaf would slow down the appetite of a starving slug much, interesting all the same though.

I think silica can work on most crops and should have an effect on any insects that attack the leaf, so there are many potential applications.

 

[Chalky]

Silicon is involved with stress resistance. Quite a few products commercial in E Europe & more continental/hotter climes.

There are a few UK products-all aimed at abiotic stress(environment) but you are correct that they do have anti feeding/attack results in crops.

 

[Dan Powell]

The trial work I've seen involves applying a liquid formulation (which I think is salicylic acid), this is incorporated into the cell walls of the plant making it tougher and more resistant to attack. From the research I've seen it appears reasonably effective against aphids, but not good enough to rely on on it's own. This would suit me perfectly, as the natural predators in No Till are usually capable of handling aphids on their own most years. I think it can be applied as a seed dressing or a foliar spray, but I've no idea of cost or how long acting it is.

Silica sprays have reduced slug grazing in experiments, but I'm not sure that a tougher wheat leaf would slow down the appetite of a starving slug much, interesting all the same though.

I think silica can work on most crops and should have an effect on any insects that attack the leaf, so there are many potential applications.

I can find potassium silicate available as a foliar spray. Is this what you mean? Salicylic acid is not a silicon based molecule and has other medical properties.

 

[Richard III]

I can find potassium silicate available as a foliar spray. Is this what you mean? Salicylic acid is not a silicon based molecule and has other medical properties.

You are right Dan, looks like I jumped to the wrong conclusion about salicylic acid containing silicon, although it too seems to reduce aphid infections.

Potassium or sodium silicate would appear to be the chemical needed to be applied.

 

[Dan Powell]

I've got plenty of silica ( sand) in my soils - presumably most in a form not available to plants.

 

[Dan Powell]

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/How-silica-helps-plants-grow-flourish/article14962502.ece

Silicic acid!

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I could negotiate sending you an IBC of organic salt solution that's one of the reasons why hippies such as myself drench salt water on old pastures, you don't have slugs after that

 

[Richard III]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4904004/

A very long winded article here, but it suggests that soil applied silicon works best, so could easily be added to the liquid fert systems on many direct drills?

Rabbit grazing after applied silicon is reduced by 50% and the growth rates of any herbivores grazing treated wheat is reduced. If the same occurred with slugs, the size of slug population might be reduced over the whole season, that would be invaluable for establishing a following rape crop.

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

This is quite interesting, I have often wondered if some form of physical deterrent to slug grazing might work. It might have to be applied regularly as crops grow but, presumably once slug numbers reduce less and less would be required?

 

[shakerator]

You are right Dan, looks like I jumped to the wrong conclusion about salicylic acid containing silicon, although it too seems to reduce aphid infections.

Potassium or sodium silicate would appear to be the chemical needed to be applied.

we have bred apsirin out of plants- that why some grasses can resist BYDV better.

aspirin has been shown to reduce virus expression in hydroponic tomatos

 

[Simon C]

Everything you need to know about silica in a book I happen to be reading at the moment. Not very easy to read my photos but get to the end and it tells you how to make your own foliar spray.

 

[The_Swede]

Good read then? Looks like the author has an interesting bio and overall outlook?

 

[Richard III]

Everything you need to know about silica in a book I happen to be reading at the moment. Not very easy to read my photos but get to the end and it tells you how to make your own foliar spray.View attachment 487256 View attachment 487258 View attachment 487260

Looks like I've just found a use for the ash from the biomass boiler! I'm not sure I'll be allowed to cook it in the aga though...................

 

[H.Jackson]

No wonder I had a head ache, trying to take that lot in, whilst driving not to mention poly phosphate etc...

 

[Andy Howard]

We will be talking biodynamic farming next! Silicon is a major part of their philosophy. We use it down with the seed. Extremely cheap.

 

[Richard III]

We will be talking biodynamic farming next! Silicon is a major part of their philosophy. We use it down with the seed. Extremely cheap.

You are applying silicon at drilling time? How and in what form are you applying it, if you don't mind me asking? I've yet to get a firm price on any, but I have been lead to believe it is expensive.