The role of silicon in plant tolerance to abiotic stress

Abstract

Silicon (Si) belongs to the group of elements having a beneficial effect on plants. While it is not necessary for living processes, it may positively influence plant growth and yielding. The forms of Si which are easily available to plants and could be used in nutrition include potassium silicate, silica sol, slow-release Ca- and NH4-silicates and choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid. Si supplementation may also significantly change the nutrient uptake by plants. The positive role of Si in plant growth is especially observed under stress conditions such as salinity, temperature (freezing, chilling), heavy metal toxicities (e.g. aluminium, cadmium, manganese) and drought. This chapter presents examples of the role of Si in plant nutrition, its role in abiotic stress tolerance to plants as well as the mechanisms of Si alleviation to various abiotic stresses in plants.