Silicon: a novel solution to reduce water use and pest damage in wheat

Drought and low rainfall seasons are a major constraint to cereal production in the Victorian Mallee, particularly during grain fill when heat and water stress can significantly reduce yield. With dry conditions expected to remain a major challenge, there is strong interest in management strategies that may improve crop resilience and yield stability. 

Silicon has shown potential in small-scale studies to improve water use efficiency and nutrient uptake under drought stress. However, it is still unclear whether these benefits translate to broadacre field conditions. 

Previous BCG trials in 2022 and 2023 did not show a significant biomass or grain yield response to either foliar or granular silicon applications. These results were likely influenced by the lack of strong heat or water stress during grain fill in those seasons, meaning the potential benefit of silicon under drought conditions remains uncertain. 

This project will further evaluate whether silicon fertilisers can help mitigate the effects of low seasonal water availability on wheat growth and yield in the Victorian Mallee. The goal is to determine whether silicon has a practical role in improving yield stability in low rainfall environments.