MaxSil™ fertiliser comes out on top in University of Queensland maize trials
Press release - Monday, 11 March 2024
MaxSil™, a highly potent silicon fertiliser, which began commercial production in 2023, has outperformed two other competitor products in a University of Queensland (“UQ”) maize study in Warwick, Queensland.
Funded under the Federal Drought Resilient Soils and Landscape project, the trial aimed to test the efficacy of three different silicate fertilisers to increase plant stress tolerance and improve soil characteristics.
The preliminary findings clearly showed MaxSil’s superior performance in enhancing maize growth and quality compared to two other solid silicon fertilisers - diatomite, derived from the fossil shells of marine algae, and a calcium silicate product derived from waste cement sheet.
University of Queensland researchers have presented preliminary analyses that show MaxSil™ had a significant and positive impact on plant growth and kernel nutritional content compared to applications of the competitor products diatomite (DIA), calcium silicate (CS), and the control crop.
Among the key highlights from the initial analyses conducted by UQ researchers in the trials are that MaxSil™ exhibited increases in: whole plant dry matter, ear leaf dry weight, dry weight per cob and kernel fat content, compared to the competitor products and the control as shown below:
Plant dry tissue matter vs control: MAX +16%, DIA -3%, CS -3%
Ear leaf dry weight vs control: MAX +16%, DIA -5%, CS -7%
Weight per cob vs control: MAX +22%, DIA 0%, CS 0%
Fat (oil) content of kernels: Plants treated with MaxSil™ exhibited a fat content of 4.2% compared to 2.2% for the control, 3.0% for CS, and 2.4% for DIA
While it is premature to conclusively determine the impact on overall yield until harvesting, the early results strongly indicate that MaxSil™ significantly enhanced corn quality by increasing fat content and dry weight per cob and for the whole plant.
MaxSil™ is a patented solid silicon fertiliser designed to optimise crop performance and sustainability. The ongoing trials conducted by the UQ and other researchers across Australia funded by the Federal Drought Resilient Soils and Landscape project aim to provide valuable insights into crop inputs.
As the trials progress, UQ researchers are committed to rigorously evaluating the performance of MaxSil™ and other solid silicon fertilisers to provide farmers with evidence-based recommendations for maximising crop productivity and quality.
About the University of Queensland (UQ): The University of Queensland is one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, renowned globally for its commitment to excellence and innovation across various disciplines.
About MaxSil™: MaxSil™ is a revolutionary solid silicon fertiliser, with more than 24 times more plant available silicon than competing products.
After a decade of crop production trials, MaxSil™ has proven to help crops improve nutrient uptake efficiency, strengthen plant structure and root systems, promote greater resilience to abiotic stresses, frost, and high temperatures as well as improve disease and insect pest resistance.
Trials have also shown that MaxSil™ enhances crop performance, improves soil health, particularly in saline and acid degraded soils, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
For further inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
MaxSil Managing Director, David Archer on 0411 862 647
