Section 1： Introduction of Potassium silicate for plants
CAS No: 1312-76-1
Structural formula:
Product Appearance:
Chemical Properties:
Potassium silicate is a strong base and weak acid salt that produces silicate precipitates when reacting with strong acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid); potassium silicate undergoes gradual hydrolysis in aqueous solution, with the degree of hydrolysis increasing as the concentration of the solution decreases; the solids of potassium silicate are highly thermally stable; insoluble silicate precipitates are produced when an aqueous solution of potassium silicate reacts with solutions of certain metal salts; and its solution (water-glass) can interact with certain organic substances (e.g. compounds containing hydroxyl groups).
Section 2： Production process
- Melting method: Mix silica sand and caustic potash according to a certain proportion and add them into melting furnace, use heavy oil or electricity to heat up to 1200-1400℃, when forming a completely molten transparent body, release from the furnace to cool down and solidify, then put it into autoclave and dissolve it by pressurised steam (0.2MPa). The solution is left to clarify, remove impurities, and the clarified liquid is concentrated to get the finished product of potassium silicate. This method is mature and suitable for large-scale production, but the energy consumption is high.
- Wet method: dissolve KOH in water to form alkaline solution, react with SiO₂ in pressurised reactor (150~200℃) for several hours, remove impurities, evaporate the water to adjust the concentration to get the finished product of potassium silicate. This method has low energy consumption and high product purity, suitable for producing high modulus potassium silicate.
Section 3：Potassium silicate for plant applications
- Provide key nutrients for plants and strengthen physiological structure
- Silicon is a ‘beneficial element’ for plant growth (especially important for crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane). Potassium silicate for plants can be absorbed by plants through the root system, which makes the siliceous layer in the cell wall thicker, allowing the stalks to be more erect and enhancing the crops’ resistance to falling.
- For the leaves, the accumulation of silicon can make the epidermal cells tougher, reduce the nibbling of pests (e.g. aphids, red spiders) and the invasion of germs (e.g. rice blast, powdery mildew), and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
- Regulate soil environment and improve growth basis
- The alkaline qualities of potassium silicate and silicate ions can indirectly optimise soil conditions:
- For acidic soils, Potassium silicate for plants can neutralise part of the acidity, alleviate the damage caused by acidification of the soil to the root system, and allow the root system to absorb nutrients in a more suitable pH environment.
- Silicate ions can combine with heavy metal ions (such as lead and cadmium) in the soil to form a stable precipitate, reducing their toxicity to plants, like a ‘detoxification’ for the soil, creating a safer growing environment for the root system.
- Enhance plant resistance and cope with adverse environment
- In drought, saline and alkaline and other adversities, the role of potassium silicate is particularly prominent:
- It can promote the reasonable closure of stomata of plant leaves, reduce water evaporation, and enhance drought-resistant ability.
- In saline and alkaline land, silicon can regulate the osmotic pressure of plant cells, help plants resist the stress of high salt environment, so that they can still maintain growth vitality under adverse conditions.
- Assisting in increasing yield and improving quality, optimising crop quality
- For cash crops, such as rice, corn and other grass crops potassium silicate for plants can enhance seed fullness after absorbing silicon; fruit and vegetable crops (e.g. cucumber, tomato) have more resilient skins, reducing breakage in transportation and extending the freshness period.
Section 4： Future Development of Potassium silicate for plants
Finally since potassium silicate can promote the efficiency of plant uptake of basic nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, allowing for a higher fertiliser utilisation rate and indirectly lowering the cost of cultivation, how can we allow such a gap in preventive care for crops?