TITLE:
Versatile Potentiality of Silicon in Mitigation of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Plants: A Review
AUTHORS:
Paulin Seal, Prabal Das, Asok K. Biswas
KEYWORDS:
Abiotic Stress, Alleviation, Biotic Stress, Silicon, Silicon Transporter
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.9 No.7,
June
20,
2018
ABSTRACT: The “quasi-essential element” silicon (Si) is not
considered indispensable for plant growth and its accumulation varies between
species largely due to differential uptake phenomena. Silicon
uptake and distribution is a complex process involving the participation of
three transporters (Lsi1, Lsi2 and Lsi6) and is beneficial during recovery from
multiple stresses. This review focuses on the pivotal role of silicon in
counteracting several biotic and abiotic stresses including nutrient
imbalances, physical stresses together with uptake, transport of this metalloid
in a wide variety of dicot and monocot species. The knowledge on the beneficial
effects of silicon and possible Si-induced mechanisms of minimizing stress has
been discussed. Accumulation of silicon beneath the cuticles fortifies the cell
wall against pathogen attack. Si-induced reduction of heavy metal uptake, root-shoot
translocation, chelation, complexation, upregulation of antioxidative defense
responses and regulation of gene expression are the mechanisms involved in
alleviation of heavy metal toxicity in plants. Silicon further improves growth
and physiological attributes under salt and drought stress. Effective use of
silicon in agronomy can be an alternative to the prevalent practice of
traditional fertilizers for maintaining sustainable productivity. Therefore,
soil nutrition with fertilizers containing plant-available silicon may be
considered a cost-effective way to shield plant from various stresses, improve
plant growth as well as yield and attain sustainable cultivation worldwide.