Fascinating aspects of nanosilicon enabled plant stress tolerance – A comprehensive review

Abstract

The establishment of a resilient and enduring agricultural production system is important in order to meet the global need for food. Due to dramatic climatic changes and growing population pressure, traditional chemical-based farming approaches have proven inefficient. Globally, abiotic stresses have a substantial impact on crop yields across many crops. The use of silicon nanoparticles (nSi) has gained popularity in the last few years as a means to alleviate abiotic stress. The addition of nano Si as a supplement has been found to mitigate stress under adverse environmental conditions and promote the growth as well as overall development of plants. Its rehabilitative properties are associated with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, preserving the balance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species. The accumulation and/or absorption of nSi in a variety of crops, along with its mechanism of action, are discussed in this study. These factors are associated with enhanced plant growth and tolerance capacities, which support sustainable agriculture. In summary, this review highlights the significance of nano-enabled methods using nSi for enhancing crop tolerance against abiotic stresses and the potential to address worldwide food security concerns.