Chapter 15 - Silicon and nanosilicon mitigate nutrient deficiency under stress for sustainable crop improvement

Abstract

Silicon (Si) and nanosilicon (nSi) have been widely applied in agrifarming to mitigate the stress for sustainable crop production. In terms of elements abundance, Si ranks second after oxygen on the entire planet. Nano-SiO2 may be released into the soil and ecological system through natural and anthropogenic pathways. The use of nanomaterials (NMs) has played a significant role in the environmental safety, production, and security of food. As compared to traditional fertilizers, NM-based fertilizers have a significant advantage in maintaining the availability of plant nutrition, enhancing nutrition use efficiency, minimizing nutrient deficiency, and smart nutrient delivery in plants. During the last few years, more efforts have been aimed to explore the efficacy of Si and nSi subjected to nutrient deficiency using nutrient-deficient soil. The plants cultivated in soil or culture medium may take up Si about 0.1%–10% (w/w) depending upon plant varieties/species. Plants are categorized as Si accumulators, excluders, and intermediate. The studies reported have shown that Si and nSi have a significant impact on plant biomass linked with enhanced photosynthetic performance, regulating nutrient uptake-accumulation, and root to shoot distribution of mineral elements along with downregulation of oxidative stress. The functions of Si and its mechanisms during nutrient deficiency found to be not been adequately resolved, so far. Nearly, three billion people worldwide are badly affected by Fe and Zn insufficiency who rely on cereal-based meals because Zn deficiency is found as a frequent mineral disease in cereals. Hence, in this chapter, the focus is on the interaction of Si, nSi, macro- and micronutrient deficiency in various crop plants to alleviate nutrient deficiency. It may also significantly extend our understanding to assess the intrinsic cellular behaviors in agriculturally important crop plants and may also allow us to formulate safe NMs for crop improvement and food securities, essential for healthy generations of the future.