How to control insects without insecticide?

Insecticide without protection is also possible in our garden! - We often hear that organic and chemical-free gardening is a very good idea, but people are afraid that these substances will not be as effective as other solutions. The big question: can bio-chemical-free active substances be as effective as their non-chemical counterparts?

Yes, let us give you an excellent example!

In this blog post, we will introduce you to a simple but great gardening ingredient that is both effective and chemical-free, even for insect control without insecticides!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The origin story (more or less)

In Scotland, it has been noticed that there are areas of grassland on hillsides that are greener because animals graze less. Somehow the plants and grasses in this area were more resistant compared to other hills and areas. When they examined the plants, they found that their leaf surfaces were more rough and contained more silicon (Si). What could this mean? What role might silicon play in this?

Let's first clarify: what exactly is silicon!

What is silicon and why is it effective in insecticide-free control?

What is silicon good for?

Evidence that:

1. has beneficial effects on many plant species to grow, productivity,
2. alleviates the drought stressed,
3. improves the plants water status, and maintains the water balance,
4. increases the tolerance of plants to different biotic (pests and pathogens) and abiotic stress (drought, salt, freezing, nutrient imbalance) 

However, how these mechanisms work and why this ability differs between silicon-accumulating and non-accumulating plants is not proven.

Among plants, monocotyledons, especially grasses, contain a high proportion of silicon, averaging 1 %, but silicon is also high in e.g. cucumbers. One of the highest levels is in cress.

The graph shows that grasses with a coarser surface have a higher silicon content. In other words, plants can be genetically more resistant. However, it is unlikely that new plant varieties and hybrids have been bred for this in recent decades.

👩‍🌾 Why is this interesting for us hobby gardeners?

With the gradual phasing out of pesticides and the growing popularity of organic gardening, it is studies like this that show that we have many options without chemicals. To make plants more resistant. Of course, it is a complex process, it is not enough to rely on a single product for help! The first step is always good soil condition, followed by plant nutrition and finally strengthening the plants' immune system. A Danuba Garden Ino Si is designed to do just that. 

Protection without insecticides - What can we expect from using it?

• The silicon in the plant silicic acid is taken up as Si(OH)4 and either incorporated into the plant's cell wall and leaf surface or stored (as water-insoluble SiO2) within the plant.
• By increasing the silicon content increases the cell wall strength of plants. At the same time, they also found that:
  • increase their resistance to attacks by insects and fungi
  • silicon is able to activate plant phytoalexins, which play an important role in the plant defence system
•  Use to thicken the plant skin tissue and Pamphlets
• Sharp, almost glass shard-like structure cover the leaf and it becomes an unpleasant surface for insects and fungi, creating a physical barrier
• Due to its glass shard-like structure reflective has a cooling effect on the plant

But in addition to these properties, it is important to highlight the the role of silicon in chemical-free insect control. Interestingly, silicon has not only attracted the attention of hobby gardeners and farmers, but more scientists and universities are studying the active substance and its role in insect and pest control. Let's learn about one or two of these research results.

👩‍🔬 Research: let's look at some of the experiments that support these claims

Experiments against insects, pests:

1. University of York 2016 experiment in 5 different grasses: How does silicon supplementation control chewing insect damage? Increasing the Si content increased the resistance of the plants to chewing insects. The graph shows that plants treated with silicon were less chewed by insects.

1. In another experiment, they looked at, the effect on plants when their leaves are damaged. In addition to the control, the leaves were first cut with scissors, then chewed with a chewing mouth-breathing insect (locust), and then with a herbivorous rodent (sowbug).

It was found that a single leaf damage did not induce any change in the silicon content of the plant. However, when damage was regular, the plant started to take up more and more silicon to strengthen its leaves! What's special is that the plant sensed when it was cut with scissors, i.e. it was not attacked by an animal, because it didn't react as much.

It has also been observed that the plant not only increases the silicon content of its leaves when attacked from the outside, but also uses them to develop small spines. This is another physical barrier for insects and fungi.

Insecticide-free control - Summary

Controlling insects without insecticides is not only environmentally friendly, it is often healthier and more sustainable. Ecological approaches help preserve natural habitats, protect human and animal health and support biodiversity. Test our Ino SI products yourself, or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Our other products:

VIDEO: DanubaGarden also offers several products with plant protection effects. It is advisable to use these two products alternately because of their different mode of action.🌱

1. Acting inside the plant Tricho Immunshould be applied in the autumn or spring, avoiding high temperatures. Effective from 5 degrees!

1. However, the active substance chitosan SoftGuard and Ino Si can also be used in summer. A SoftGuard primarily to boost the plant's immune system...

1. ...while the Ino Si its high silicon content provides physical protection against insects and the burning sun.