While not recognized as a plant essential nutrient, silicon (Si) accumulates in epidermal and vascular tissue of grasses. A field study of ‘CrossOver’ Ca/Mg-silicate (SiO3) pelletized soil conditioner/liming agent (Harsco Minerals Intl., Sarver, PA) was conducted on a neutral perennial ryegrass field within the J. Valentine Turfgrass Research Center (University Park, PA). Plots were trafficked weekly by a dedicated wear simulator, June through Sept. Multispectral radiometric canopy quality measures, clipping yield, clipping/tissue composition, soil pH, and plant-available soil Si levels from the 0-3” and 3-6” depths were regularly collected over the two-year study. Similar multiyear field experiments, employing identical products and methods on creeping bentgrass fairways and putting greens, were inconclusive. However, perennial ryegrass plots under intense wear/traffic and treated annually by granular application of Ca/Mg-silicates at 25 or 50 lbs per 1000 ft2, showed significantly improved mean canopy quality relative to adjacent plots receiving equal Ca and Mg as lime. This improved canopy density and color coincided with acetic-acid-extractable soil Si levels >70 ppm in the 0-3” soil depth. Further field trials are being initiated on perennial ryegrass and turf-type tall fescue to confirm these results and identify a critical leaf Si concentration for improved wear tolerance.