Multidimensional Role of Silicon to Mitigate Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Plants: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Numerous abiotic and biotic stresses threaten sustainable agriculture under limited resources. Agriculture productivity is disrupted by these unpredictable environmental fluctuations, posing a serious threat to food security. As a beneficial nutrient, silicon (Si) application enhances biological functions, crop development and productivity. Silicon application has garnered attention for its ability to mitigate various stresses and has shown a highly significant response under conditions such as water scarcity, salinity, metal toxicity, thermal stress and nutrients deprivation. Additionally, it enhances defense mechanisms against fungal, bacterial and pest attacks. High crops production can be achieved by incorporating Si into the agricultural system to replace synthetic fertilizers. This approach can help overcome limitations in crop production posed by limited resources and unpredictable environmental conditions. The environmentally friendly Si application is replacement of synthetic toxic chemicals for sustainable agriculture to get maximum yield under limited resources and unpredictable environmental conditions, as well regulate the genes expression to mitigate the biotic and abiotic stresses. The keys genes involved in different metabolic pathways under Si application have discussed in this study, which will be more beneficial to develop stress resilient crops through CRISPR/CAS technology to overcome the food threat and agriculture sustainability.

Graphical Abstract