Agriculture: results 
There is a growing recognition about the importance of silicon for plants.
Nowadays silicates are used as fertilizers.
But much more research is needed.
The use of silicates highlights the importance of silicon for life e.g. plants.
For agriculture, the relevant silicon compounds are:
- silicates
- silicic acid
Silicates are used to improve the structure and fertility of the soil.
Silicates can compensate for acid soils, for salt, for access of aluminium and iron.
But moreover, silicates are the source for silicic acid being the silicon key molecule to optimize metabolism, plant growth and optimal yield.
The transformation to silicic acid is a complicated (and limited) process.
And the (ortho-)silicic acid molecule is very unstable, so only (very) limited quantities are found in rivers, water and soil.
Silicic acid is absorbed by organisms like plants and animals.
In plants the effects of (bioavailable) silicic acid are more resistance of roots, stem and leaves, improved metabolism, optimal growth and high yields with e.g. stronger fruits or grains.
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