The role of Si in experimental plant biology has implications beyond this field itself.
Hodson and Sangster (74) discussed possible taxonomic, anatomical,archaeological, and medical implications.
The taxonomical value of Si lies in the characteristic morphology of. opal "phytoliths," which may serve as a diagnostic character.
The common association of silica with cell walls and intercellular spaces represents a link to plant anatomy. Silica phytoliths found at archaeological sites may serve to identify crops grown by their inhabitants.
The archaeological use of plant silica phytoliths has been advocated by Piperno
Phytoliths bonded to the teeth ofanextinct ape that lived a million years ago have given indications of its diet (125).
Dust from wheat and rice containing silicious fibers poses a health hazard similar to that due to nonbiogenic silicious fibrous materials such as asbestos
The deposition of siliceous structures in conjunction with an organic matrix has implications for materials science and
biomimetic syntheses (126-128).
A greater awareness of the importance of Si in plants, especially on the part of experimental plant biologists, is bound to have beneficial synergistic effects beyond plant biology per se.