Henk-Maarten Laane
MD, ReXil Agro BV, Netherlands
Title: SAAT: Silicic acid agro technology/the use of silicic acid in agriculture
Biography
Biography: Henk-Maarten Laane
Abstract
For optimal growth all relevant nutrients are needed. Among the nutrients, silicon is an ignored nutrient due to the common opinion that plants do not suffer from Si deficiency. In most soils there is an abundant presence of Ai as silicates, silicon dioxide or biogenic silica. But silicates, SiO2 are hardly/not plant available. Only (mono-) silicic acid is plant available, but its concentration in the soil is very low causing a silicic acid deficiency. This is due to several reasons like the instability of this molecule which polymerizes very fast. Based on patented production processes stabilized, plant available and plant active silicic acid is now used in agriculture: the silicic acid agro technology. SAAT can be used as foliar spray and as soil and hydroponic amendment. In many trials since 2003 this stabilized SA has shown to be very effective on almost any plant. Increases in yield, biomass and quality has been shown in many crops, as well monocots as dicots, like rice, sugarcane, sweet corn, tobacco, okra, watermelon, tomato, chili peppers, grapes, etc. Results on several crops will be presented. SA is speeding up plant growth by a larger root system, longer and thicker tillers/stem, larger leaf surface with higher chlorophyll content, etc. SA decreases as well abiotic as biotic stresses resulting in healthier plants allows reducing the use of pesticides significantly. The shelf life is increased and the post-harvest losses are decreased. SAAT is safe (for the plant, the soil and the consumer), ecofriendly and cost-effective. Silicic acid is a bio-stimulant, a fertilizer as well as a plant protectant.