Summary:
- Researchers at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are investigating the potential of silicon to help strengthen rice plants against lodging, which is when the plants fall over due to strong winds or heavy rain.
- Silicon is a mineral that can be absorbed by rice plants and deposited in their stems, making them more rigid and resistant to bending or breaking.
- The study aims to identify the optimal levels of silicon that can be applied to rice fields to improve the plants' ability to withstand lodging, which can significantly reduce crop yields and quality.