Silicon Nanoparticles (SiNP): A Novel and Sustainable Strategy for Mitigating Environmental Stresses in Plants

• Published in: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 2024-06, Vol.24 (2), p.2167-2191
• Main Authors: Weisany, Weria, Razmi, Javad, Eshaghabadi, Alireza Hosseinzadeh, Pashang, Danial
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidic soils; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Agrochemicals; Barriers; Biological effects; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell interactions; Cell walls; Crop diseases; Crop yield; Drought; Ecology; Effectiveness; Environment; Environmental factors; Environmental stress; Enzymes; Fertilizers; Food security; Heavy metals; Hyphae; Life Sciences; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Penetration resistance; Plant diseases; Plant growth; Plant metabolism; Plant Sciences; Plants (botany); Proteins; Review; Salinity; Silicon; Silicon compounds; Soil Science & Conservation; Stresses; Sustainability; Sustainable agriculture; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0718-9508; 0718-9516
• DOI: 10.1007/s42729-024-01790-1

Plant growth, development, and productivity are hindered by a wide range of environmental stresses, posing significant challenges. In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, nanotechnology has emerged as a leading approach to address these constraints, surpassing conventional methods. Silicon nanoparticles (SiNP) have garnered considerable attention due to their unique properties, including solubility, substantial specific surface area, compatibility with living organisms, and facilitation of essential biological interactions. These inherent traits endow SiNP with immense potential to exert prophylactic effects in both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. However, a major obstacle lies in the scarcity of plant-accessible monosilicic acid, the primary form of silicon in most cultivated soils, presenting a significant challenge to realizing the benefits of SiNP. Compounding this issue, conventional silicate fertilizers (bulk-Si) demonstrate limited effectiveness. Nevertheless, recent advancements in nanotechnology have paved the way for enhancing crop yields through SiNP application. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of SiNP in alleviating both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. These nanoparticles have shown efficacy in mitigating the detrimental impacts of various abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress. Moreover, SiNP enhance plant vigor and bolster resistance to external stressors. Initially, the protective function of SiNP was attributed to their role as a physical barrier, reinforcing the plant cell wall and preventing penetration by fungal hyphae. However, further research has unveiled the intricate effects of SiNP on plants, involving communication within the cell interior and influencing plant metabolism. Consequently, there is an urgent need for in-depth investigation to explore the potential applications of SiNP in agriculture. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and meticulous overview of SiNP synthesis, practical applications, and their role in enhancing plant growth while mitigating challenges from living organisms and environmental factors. Furthermore, it discusses the advantages of SiNP over traditional bulk-Si fertilizers in agriculture, their effectiveness across diverse plant types, and safety considerations. Additionally, the article highlights gaps in current knowledge regarding SiNP interactions with plants, which can guide future research in this rapidly advancing field. By foc