Foundations Series #1: Silicon in Plant Health & Stress Resistance with Dr. Wendy Zellner

Описание: This episode is part of the Foundations of Soil & Plant Science series — a curated selection of podcast conversations that still shape how I approach plant health, soil biology, and cultivation systems today.

Originally released as Episode 98, this discussion with Dr. Wendy Zellner is a deep dive into silicon and its role in plant structure, stress tolerance, and defense responses. While this conversation was recorded several years ago, the core science and practical implications remain just as relevant for growers and horticultural professionals today.

I’ve added a short new intro to provide updated context and perspective before revisiting the full conversation.

In this episode we discuss:
The role of silicon in plant physiology and structure
Silicon and plant defense against environmental and biological stress
How plants take up and utilize silicon
Misconceptions around silicon fertilizers and supplements
Practical considerations for growers incorporating silicon into fertility programs

Dr. Wendy Zellner received her doctorate from the University of Toledo in 2012, where she trained in molecular and cellular biology with a research focus on the role of silicon in plant defense responses. She then completed a four-year postdoctoral position with the USDA-ARS, continuing her work on how silicon can help alleviate both abiotic and biotic stress in crops including tomato and tobacco.

Her research has included developing standardized methods for quantifying silicon uptake from fertilizer materials, identifying uptake mechanisms for silicon in model plant species, and evaluating how these pathways function across a range of crops.

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