This is very interesting. Makes sense, even to me. Thank you for posting. You are such a great source of information.

The results of this study indicate that application of silicon might improve growth attributes, effectively mitigate the adverse effect of drought and waterlogging, and increase tolerance of maize plants.

Notice the weasel word ... MIGHT

I can't access the rest of the paper, but without seeing the methods, materials and protocol, it's not even worth discussing.

Might is a word scientists may use as we are taught that there are few if any absolutes in the behavior of Nature.

Here is another example:

"These results suggest that silicon application may be useful to improve the drought tolerance of sorghum via the enhancement of water uptake ability."

Notice the word "suggest" and "may be".

If one is interested in the full copy of a scientific paper, one can visit a library and request a copy through inter library loan (if they do not have the journal), or one could e-mail the author for a reprint.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2005.00481.x/abstract;jsessionid=A3E0BD853813A1FCFCCA70ADBF989AA8.f03t02?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false

Here is a link that might be useful: link for above

Here is a Google search:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=silicon+plants+drought

Here is a link that might be useful: link for above

FWIW -- Some years ago, in another drought cycle (tho, one less lengthy, and less-severe than the current one) we did buy and use silicon granules.

We found them to be most-effective if used when planting bare root roses, because the [completely hydrated] silicon chunklets could be evenly distributed through the soil.

(NOTE: DO NOT MIX DRY GRANULES IN THE SOIL, AND THEN PLANT IT, AND WET IT. The granules increase asonishingly in size, when fully hydrated.) They can actually push the whole plant right out of a bed, or a pot.

If you want to add them to an established planting, you can "drill" a narrow hole close to the plant, and drop in just a few granules.

When used optimally, the granules really DID make a difference when a bed of roses went un-watered. This observation, when a section of an automated watering system failed, un-noticed.

We found that fine feeder roots really did attach themselves to the hydrated silicon chunklets, and thus were able to suck water from them.

But whether or not they make a difference in a three-year or more drought? That's difficult to say.

Over time, the granules became difficult to find locally, AND more and more expensive. We took to using them ONLY for small, potted, own-root plants -- and finally stopped using them altogether.

If you have a very large rose garden, they may be helpful, but you will need to have very deep pockets.

They are not talking about what is known as water crystals. This is about silicates such as discussed in this earlier thread.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg030010308429.html

Here is a link that might be useful: link for above