Beneficial Element

Elements, or nutrients, which are not essential for most plants to complete their life cycle, but which can stimulate plant growth. An example is silicon which can accumulate in grasses aiding plant rigidity as well as improving resistance to disease. Halophytes also have a relatively high concentration of sodium and this can improve the outcome of photosynthesis, although the element isn’t essential for photosynthesis. In addition, sodium can replace potassium in some species to a certain extent without having a negative effect on growth.