RECENT PROGRESS IN SILICON-MEDIATED MOLECULAR AND GENETIC MECHANISMS OF PLANT ABIOTIC STRESS RESPONSES

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production is increasingly threatened by unpredictable and adverse environmental conditions. In this context, the use of mineral nutrients has gained attention as an effective alternative to conventional approaches for mitigating abiotic stress. Among these elements, silicon (Si)—the second most abundant element in the Earth’s lithosphere—plays a significant role in a wide range of cellular, physiological, and developmental processes in plants. Its application has been reported to enhance seed germination, plant growth, photosynthetic performance, gas exchange, and overall yield under both stress and non-stress conditions.

The beneficial effects of silicon are particularly evident in Si-accumulating species, especially under abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Exogenous application of silicon induces notable changes in morphophysiological and biochemical attributes, thereby strengthening plant tolerance to environmental stress.

This chapter provides an overview of the occurrence, sources, uptake, accumulation, and transport of silicon in plants. It further explores recent advances in silicon-mediated stress alleviation, with a focus on molecular and genetic approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, silicon-based nanomaterials, and genome-editing technologies. The objective is to offer a comprehensive perspective on the multifaceted role of silicon in enhancing plant resilience and to underscore its potential as a sustainable tool for improving crop productivity under challenging environmental conditions.