Role of silicon under water deficit stress in wheat: (Biochemical perspective): A review

Abstract

Silicon’s role in mediating resistance against various stresses has been a matter of focus in the past decade. Poaeceae family plants are known as high accumulators of silicon. Wheat shows rapid absorption, the optimum accumulation of silicon occurring at around 20 days. Silicon plays a role as a mechanical and a physiological barrier. It also alters the levels of osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes which are a first line of defense in the water deficit stress; also reducing the levels of oxidative stress factors such as hydrogen peroxide. But the results vary with respect to the modes of stress application and its duration. Nowadays, foliar mode of silicon application is carried out compared to the traditional soil application yielding some promising results. Further studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms governing protection which can be done with the comparison of the transcriptome analysis of the stressed plants and also microscopic studies revealing the site of deposition.