Summary
Schaller et al. present a synthesis arguing for the restoration of natural silicon cycles as a foundational strategy for transforming agriculture towards greater sustainability and resilience. The authors contend that enhanced silicon availability in agricultural soils offers dual benefits: reduced dependence on phosphorus fertilisers and improved crop tolerance to drought and pest stress. The paper positions silicon-improved crop production as a viable pathway to achieving food security in the context of global environmental change.
UK applicability
The silicon cycle restoration approach is potentially applicable to UK arable systems, particularly in light of phosphorus security concerns and increasing climate variability affecting crop resilience. UK adoption would require policy and infrastructure support for identifying and restoring reactive silicon sources in farming systems.
Key measures
Silicon availability; phosphorus fertiliser use; crop resilience to drought stress; pest pressure resilience
Outcomes reported
The paper presents a call to action arguing that restoration of natural silicon cycles can reduce phosphorus fertiliser dependence whilst improving crop resilience to drought stress and pests. It addresses the potential of silicon-improved crop production as a strategy for achieving food security under global environmental change.
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