Silica increases water availability for plants: Researchers discover a way to enhance food security
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - 10:40
in Earth & Climate
As a result of climate change, more frequent and longer drought periods are predicted in the future. Drought risks may decrease agricultural yield. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth and the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) have now discovered a way to mitigate this problem: Amorphous silica is able to significantly increase the amount of available water for plants. This offers an opportunity to enhance global food security despite climate change. The researchers presented their findings in the journal Scientific Reports. They suggest a soil management that ensures a higher amorphous silica content.