Agriculture increases the bioavailability of silicon, a beneficial element for crop, in temperate soils

This study investigates the impact of agriculture on plant-available silicon (PAS) in temperate soils of France. Using an extensive dataset from the French Soil Quality Monitoring Network, the researchers analyzed the relationship between PAS (measured as Si extracted by CaCl₂, Sicaciz), topsoil characteristics, and land use. Results indicate that cultivation increased Sicaciz in soils developed on sediments (73% of France), primarily due to liming practices in slightly acidic to acidic soils. In non-cultivated soils, Sicaciz correlated positively with the <2 µm fraction and pH (but only for <2 µm fractions between 50 and 325 g kg⁻¹). The study suggests that 4% of French soils used for wheat cultivation may be deficient in Sicaciz, based on comparisons to critical levels established for rice and sugarcane.

M. Caubet, S. Cornu, N. P. A. Saby, J.-D. Meunier