Silicon's Role in Improving Plant Salinity Tolerance

Salinization is a main abiotic stress that affects crop growth and productivity all over the world, thus how to improve the resistance levels of crops to salinity has attracted worldwide attention. Silicon (Si) is the second most prevalent element in the earth’s crust. When the solution pH is below 9, silicon is absorbed by higher plants in the form of silicic acid [Si(OH)4]. Although silicon has not been considered as essential element for higher plant, it is generally considered to be a ‘beneficial element’. A number of studies have shown that silicon can increase plant resistance to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses, including drought, salt stress, heavy metal toxicity, freezing, and plant diseases.