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Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer with Tuff ShieldWhat is it?Silicon FertilizerMicronutrient PackagepH AdjustmentWhat is Tuff Shield?Role of Silicon in the Plant

What is Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer?A patent pending precision-blended product formulated for easy, low dust, broadcast applications.

High quality plant nutrient product that contains Si (silicon), Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe in plant-available form. An effective pH adjustment agent with a 5:1 Ca to Mg ratio.CCE above 100% and an RNV greater than 68Applied between 1000# and 2 T/A

What Role Does Silicon Play?

Si is considered a Beneficial Substance by The Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO).

A beneficial substance is any compound other than primary, secondary, and micronutrients that can be demonstrated to be beneficial to one or more plant species.

Beneficial Substance

Silicon triggered a whole new way to look at things, as it is technically, not an essential nutrient, but growth is poor without it hence we developed a new definition, beneficial substance. Chris Mason, PhD, AAPFCO Regulatory Update

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer Analysis

NutrientPercentLbs/tonCalcium23%460Magnesium4%80Iron14%280Manganese1.4%28Moisture5-8%Bulk Density 110Beneficial SubstanceSilicon (Total Si)4%80

Soluble Silicon (Si)

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM AND WHY DO DEFICIENCIES OCCUR?

While Silicon is abundant in soils, it is usually insoluble and unavailable to plants. Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer, however, contains a form of Silicon that is soluble and plant available, and produces Monosilicic Acid in soil.

Continuous cropping of soil, weathering, and naturally occurring deficient soils can be causes of Si deficiencies.

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Silicons Role in Wheat, Corn, and Soybean Production

Functions in PlantEnhances overall plant mechanical strength and formation of outer protective layer.

Promotes a more upright canopy, resulting in greater photosynthesis.

Improves resistance to plant lodging due to greater stalk strength.

Silicons Role in Wheat, Corn, and Soybean Production

Functions in PlantIncreases tolerance to pathogens.

Reduces insect activity.

Improves drought tolerance.

Results in an overall improvement in crop quality and yield.

2012 Field Trials

Corn Rootball Grown in Drought ConditionsTreated - grown with 2 tons per acre of Plant Tuff Untreated - grown with lime application

Silicons Impact on Plant and Soil Health

Increased cell wall strength.Imparts disease toleranceDecreases insect activityImproves stalk strength resulting in less lodgingIncreases shoot and root densityReduces plant transpiration.Improves tolerance to heat stress.Increases CEC, improving nutrient availability.Promotes microbial activity.

Role of Silicon in Disease Suppression

Silicons Impact on Pathogens

Biochemical ResistanceResearch suggests silicon triggers the formation of compounds that are toxic to fungiCompounds such as coumaric, ferulic, salicylic, cinammic or caffeic acids, chitinase, peroxidase and phytoalexins

Role of Calcium in Plant Nutrition

Calcium acts as a regulator of micro-nutrients.Facilitates the plant uptake of iron, zinc, manganese, and copperCalcium in liberal quantities helps to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients and non-nutrients within plants.

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer and Manganese

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer contains a minimum of 1.4% Mn.

A 1 ton application of Plant Tuff provides at least 28#/A of manganese

Ideal for soil being planted to soybeans that need Mn to maximize nitrogen fixation in root nodules

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer Application

Applied through most broadcast spreaders.Granular formulation is low dust and spreads uniformly up to 70Suggested application rates range from 1000 # - 4 ton/Acre. Rates based on soil test recommendations. VRT application should use a base rate of 1000#/A.

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizers Physical Characteristics

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer resists the elements.Spreads in colder temperaturesSheds rain, sleet, wind and snow

Expanded Application Window.Stage product in advanceApply on your schedule, even during winter months

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer Typical Analysis

Nutrient Percent GuaranteeZn0.015P0.2Ca26.5>23%Cu0.003Fe15.6>14%Mg4.8>4%Mn2.3>1.4%S0.2

Value of 1 Ton/Acre Plant Tuff Application

InputPlant TuffPlant Tuffs Added ValCa$8.00Fe14%$3.00Mn1.4%$49.00Mg4%$20.00Si4%$12.00Total Value$99.00

LSU Trial Work on Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

Louisiana State UniversityEffect of Plant Tuff on nutrient use efficiencyEffect of soil type on Si uptake and availabilityEvaluating reduction in lodging in wheat and increased yield potential

LSU Trial Work on Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

Benefits of Si on Wheat:Increases resistance to stressDecreases lodgingImproves growth parametersYield improvement

LSU Trial Work on Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

Type of Soil can affect the adsorption of Si.Organic soils and clay soils have higher rates of adsorption of Si.Maximum quantity adsorption influenced by soil pH.Maximum rate of adsorption of Si in high organic matter soils and high clay soils.

LSU Trial Work on Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

CaSiO3 is effective at increasing available Si in soilResponses to Si Fertilization:Tiller #, panicle weight, grains per spike, and 1,000 grain weightSilicon is linked to increased availability of some essential nutrients.

LSU Trial Results on Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

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How Lime Reduces Soil Acidity Ca++ and Mg++ from lime replaces two H+ ions on the cation exchange complex (reserve acidity).

The H+ ions combine with OH- ions to form water.

pH increases because the acidity source (H+) has been reduced.

Plant Tuff Lime Analysis(CCE and RNV)

Specification/NutrientPercentCCE100%RNV68Calcium23% (460 lb/T)Magnesium4% (80 lb/T)

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer Gradation

Specification/ GradationTypical PercentNo. 4100%No. 895.5%No. 1683.9%No. 3066.8%No. 6044.1%No.10028.9%

Importance of Soil pH

Affects chemical and biological reactionsAvailability of essential nutrientsInfluences soil chemical reactions and nutrient formsActivity of microorganismsSolubility (toxicity) of non-essential elements

Importance of Soil pH

Effects of N Application on Soil pH

Lb. N/Acre/YearSoil pH06.1406.1806.01206.01605.82005.7

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer vs. Aglime

BenefitsPlant Tuff Silicon FertilizerAglimeSoil pH AdjustmentFast ResponseSlow ResponseImproved drought, disease and insect toleranceSi strengthens cell walls reducing impact of stress Not ApplicableDecrease heavy metal toxicitypH adjustment and Si sequestrationpH adjustmentImprove plant productivitySi increases Ps, chlorophyll, carbohydratesNot Applicable

Decreases lodgingSi strengthens cell walls improving structural strength of stalks, roots and leavesNot Applicable

Improves low CEC soilsCa++ and SiCa ++ Only

Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer Summary

Contains the beneficial substance, Silicon that helps plants tolerate abiotic and biotic stresses.Provides essential nutrients including Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe .Patent pending precision-blended product with superior pH adjustment capabilities.Aids in a plants ability to tolerate stress from drought and high temperatures.Reduces lodging in grass crops such as wheat and corn.Superior handling, spreadability, and versatility.It has a CCE greater than 100% and RNV over 68.

Quality Control: Consistency is Everything

Requirements:SizingChemistryNutrientsRaw MaterialsEvery DeliveryFinished ProductEvery 500 tons

Metals?

Fertilizers and Other MaterialsAAPFCO (American Association of Plant Food Control Officials)EPA / USDA Part 503Dr. Rufus Cheney / Senior Scientist / USDAPlant TuffRegulatoryIn-House Guidelines

AAPFCO: Heavy Metals Rule (SUIP#25)

Metalsppm per 1% P2O5ppm per 1% Micronutrient3Arsenic13112Cadmium1083Cobalt13662,2286Lead61463Mercury16Molybdenum423004Nickel2501,900Selenium26180Zinc4202,9004

EPA / USDA Part 503

* 40 CFR 503.13, USEPA applicable limits** 327 IAC 6.1-4-9(c) Table 3, Non site-specific or marketing and distribution permit levels

Natural Soils (Midwest)

USEPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Hazardous Waste Land Treatment, SW-874 (April 1983), Page 273A & L Laboratories (Metals Concentrations in Natural Soils)

Metals Comparison: Soil / Plant Tuff Regulatory

Plant Tuff Inc.s Chemical Services

Soil TestingMehlich 3pHAvailable Silicon (Acetic Acid)Plant TissueNutrient / Metals Up-TakeSilicon (Total/Soluble)

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Plant Tuff Inc.s Chemical Services

FertilizerAvailable Silicon (Sodium Carbonate / Ammonium Nitrate by ICP)Chemistry

2014 Field Trials (Laboratory Results)

Improved CEC for soils with initial values below 15Improved Silicon AvailabilityIncreased Manganese Availability (50%)Excellent NeutralizationPositive Calcium Response

Current USDA Research

Stress Induced Si Accumulation (SISA)Prediction of Silicic acid binding to Si transportersContinue ongoing studies of improving detection methods for total plant Si and bioavailable Si from Plant Tuff.

LSU Research of Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

Verified Silicon uptakeWheatSoyRye GrassRiceGreen House Gas Reduction in Rice ProductionImproved Phosphorous and Nitrogen Efficiency

LSU Research of Plant Tuff Silicon Fertilizer

Antidotal observation of reduced disease severity (Soy / mildew)Improved Soil Test Method (Acetic Acid)Polymerization of Silicon for improved availabilityAward Winning Silicon Research