Diatomaceous earth – application in agriculture, horticulture, horticulture and home plant breeding as a natural repellent.
Plants in the early stages of growth contain silicon (Si) in the form of silicic acid. The concentration of this acid decreases with the age of the plant, approaching zero in mature plants due to the covering of SiO2 particles with organic polyphenols. Drying of the plant also results in the isolation of silicic acid, which leads to a marked reduction.