ADVANCES IN UNDERSTANDING SILICON-MEDIATED MOLECULAR AND GENETIC RESPONSES TO ABIOTIC STRESS IN PLANTS

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production is increasingly challenged by unpredictable and adverse environmental conditions. The use of mineral elements has emerged as an effective strategy, offering an alternative to conventional methods for alleviating the impacts of abiotic stress. Among these, silicon (Si)—the second most abundant element in the Earth’s lithosphere—plays a crucial role in numerous cellular, physiological, and developmental processes in plants. Its application has been shown to improve seed germination, growth, photosynthetic efficiency, gas exchange, and yield under both stress and non-stress conditions.

The benefits of Si are especially pronounced in silicon-accumulating species, particularly when exposed to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Exogenous Si application triggers significant changes in morpho-physiological and biochemical traits, enhancing plant stress tolerance.

This chapter reviews the occurrence, sources, uptake, accumulation, and transport mechanisms of silicon in plants. It also examines recent advances in silicon-mediated stress mitigation through molecular and genetic approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, the use of silicon nanoparticles, and genome-editing technologies. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of silicon’s multifaceted role in alleviating abiotic stresses and to highlight its potential as a sustainable strategy for improving crop resilience and productivity.