Benefits of the application of silicon in plants

Abstract

Given the current context of the strong use of agricultural pesticides, sustainable forms are sought so that plants can create defense mechanisms for pathogenic fungi and insect pests. For this, it is necessary that they are in excellent nutritional status, being fundamental a nutrition with macro and micronutrients, and also with beneficial nutrients, according to the demand of each plant. Silicon is classified as a beneficial nutrient, which can confer greater stiffness to plant cells, greater resistance to bed, better tolerance to water stresses, salinity and toxicity of heavy metals, greater resistance fungi and insectpests , in addition to increasing the production of various trees. The element is generally available in the soil, but if necessary, fertilization via incorporated soil, foliar or fertigation may occur. Therefore, the objective of this work is to perform a bibliographic review on the influence of silicon on plant production. Furthermore, it is desired to verify the importance of silicate fertilization for large crops, resulting in economic and management benefits in agriculture. In view of the above, techniques that seekan efficient management in the s and sustainable cultures to the environment, such as the case of fertilization in a conscious way, are necessary in the search for higher yield, given the growing demand for food.

The potential of SiK® fertilization in the resilience of chestnut plants to drought - a biochemical study

“…In addition, Si keeps the physiological systems and photosynthetic processes under water deficit, reducing transpiration, improving osmotic adjustment, reducing water demand by plants, decreasing stomatal opening, and improving productivity ( Souri et al., 2021 ; Rea et al., 2022 ; Naaz et al., 2023 ). On the other hand, more recent studies reinforcing these mechanisms explained that Si stimulates an increase in the leaf water status of crops, by enhancing the osmotic driving force; promotes the activity of aquaporins, modifying root growth; and increases the root/shoot ratio, regulating evapotranspiration and improving the root hydraulic physiochemistry, contributing to increasing the plant productivity ( Chen et al., 2018 ; Cassel et al., 2021 ; Rossetti, 2022 ). Biochemically, Si induces the plant’s own defense mechanisms by activating various defense strategies, including the synthesis of phenolic compounds and the production of lignin, suberin, and callose in the cell wall, reducing the lipid peroxidation and promoting the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) ( Kim et al., 2017 ; Hasanuzzaman et al., 2018 ; Navarro, 2020 ).…”