First results of trace metals associated with silicon contents in two phenological stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the southeast of the Pampean plains, Argentina.

FRAYSSINET CELIA; MARCOVECCHIO E. JORGE; OSTERRIETH L. MARGARITA; VILLAGRAN DIANA; LA COLLA NOELIA; FERNANDEZ SEVERINI MELISA; BENVENUTO M. LAURA; FERNANDEZ HONAINE MARIANA; BORRELLI L. NATALIA

Conferencia; 7th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture; 2017

Silicon as a constituent of the solid and liquid fraction of the soil is an essential element in therelationship between plant-soil-environment. In addition, it plays an important role in thedevelopment of certain crops that are producers of silicophytoliths. Internationally, it has beenreported that the biomineralizations of amorphous silica have the capacity to retain trace metalswithin their matrix, present at the time of their formation. This interaction of silicon with othertoxic elements such as lead, cadmium etc., has a direct influence on all members of the food chainincluding man and his quality of life. The level of degradation in the soils of the Pampas plain ishigh, related to the agricultural activity for more than 150 years; that´s why it is fundamental todeepen the study of biomineralizations as heavy metal retention agents, especially in the studyarea, where the application of agrochemicals is so intense. So the aim of this work is to evaluatethe silicon and trace metals contents in plants, soils and solution of agricultural soils cultivatedwith wheat (Triticum aestivum) in southeastern Buenos Aires. Field tests were carried out with theapplication of two silicate fertilizers (one powder: Silfix and another liquid: Quicksol). Samples ofsurface soil and plant material were extracted in two phenological stages (vegetative and post -harvest). The available silicon contents and its contents in plant as well as the amounts of Cd, Cu,Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr and Fe in the soil solution, in the plant material and in the soil samples weredetermined using standard methodology. The contribution of Si to the soil solution would be similarfor both types of applied fertilizers. The values of trace elements present in the soils are withinthose commonly registered for the zone and the values pertaining to the soil solution are all low(