
Silicon: The Truth
Silicon is the second-most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and it bonds with oxygen to create silicon dioxide, also known as silica, the main component of sand, clay, granite, amethyst, quartz, glass, computer chips, and fiber-optic cables.
Silica is also the form of silicon, when it finally comes to rest in plant tissues such as stalks, stems and leaves, that delivers plant benefits. But first silicon must take a long road, going through many chemical conversions—from silicate to silicic acid …