Magnesium is a secondary plant macronutrient. It occupies a central position in the chlorophyll molecule and therefore plays a fundamental role in photosynthesis. Both magnesium and sulfur play a role in plant metabolic functions and enzyme processes.

Agriculture professionals are recognizing soluble silicates as beneficial to plants, because they appear to reduce stress due to climate, minerals and disease. Potassium silicate provides an excellent source of soluble silicate for plants and also provides supplemental potassium, a plant macronutrient.

Sodium silicate is used in fruit flotation operations to increase the density of flotation solutions and to remove and suspend soil.