A UM6P study shows it: silicon (OSA) is the key against abiotic and biotic stress

This major research project, recently published in the leading scientific journal Plants through the MDPI database and funded by OCP Nutricrops, shows that silicon (OSA) is far more than a simple nutrient. It acts as a triple shield for agriculture: it improves the soil, strengthens plant physiology and activates the crops' natural defences. That this science is only now being published on a large scale underlines the pioneering role of our technology: the unique Orthagrow OSA formulation was introduced as early as 2009 and has been marketed since 2014 by Moreco Morocco under the name Orthagrow Control.

1. Soil improvement: water retention in arid land

The publication shows that silicon (OSA) fundamentally changes the structure of the soil. It increases porosity, which lets the soil hold water considerably better — an absolute necessity for Morocco's arid soils.

• Nutrient booster: combined with organic inputs, silicon (OSA) raises the cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 30% to 45%. This releases locked-up phosphorus (P) and optimises the use of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K).
• Acidity regulation: calcium and magnesium silicates neutralise toxic aluminium and raise the pH of acid soils by 0.5 to 2 units.

2. Plant physiology: a mechanical and biological shield (abiotic stress)

Silicon (OSA) helps plants survive extreme abiotic stress. Under high salinity, it keeps the vital potassium/sodium ratio (K+/Na+) balanced inside the plant, effectively preventing cell dehydration.

• Mechanical strength: hard silica deposited in the cell walls makes the stems stiffer. This prevents crop lodging in strong winds. The leaves also stand more upright, which ensures better photosynthesis.
• Antioxidant shield: under stress, silicon (OSA) reduces the plant's internal oxidative damage by actively stimulating its protective enzymes.

3. Natural protection against diseases and pests (biotic stress)

Plants treated with silicon (OSA) naturally fend off insects and fungi.

• Physical barrier: the leaves become literally too hard and abrasive for chewing insects. Piercing-sucking insects such as aphids and mites can barely get through them.
• Immune system in "active mode": silicon (OSA) primes the plant's immune system to respond faster (the priming effect). When a fungus attacks, the plant reacts immediately by producing natural defences. Here the study shows a strong synergy when silicon (OSA) is combined with potassium or zinc.

Orthagrow Control's strategic position in the market

The UM6P researchers outline a fast-growing global market for silicon-based (OSA) inputs, expected to reach 580,000 tonnes by 2035. The market demands high-quality innovation and precision — segments in which our long-standing expertise sets the benchmark:

• Targeted formulations: there is a strong need for controlled-release products able to match exactly the right source of silicon (OSA) to specific soil types and stress factors. What the market is only beginning to look for, our technology perfected long ago. Our liquid formulation, born in 2009 and successfully marketed since 2014 by Moreco Morocco under the name Orthagrow Control, offers precisely the high-quality, directly assimilable stability needed to maximise performance against extreme drought and salinity in Morocco.

The impact of Orthagrow Control

The science is clear: silicon (OSA) is a reliable, predictable lever for managing abiotic and biotic stress effectively. The conclusions of the UM6P report fully validate the effectiveness of the technology Orthagrow Control has been built on since 2014. On this solid scientific basis, Orthagrow Control ensures superior product positioning and an excellent R&D foundation in Morocco, fully in line with the demands of precision agriculture at the highest level.