uptake, alteration in gene expression and phytohormone biosynthesis, maintenance of osmotic potential and gaseous exchange, and formation of Si–cuticle
double layer. Moreover, being non-corrosive and non-pollutive,
Si-supplementation has proven to be the most economic as well as eco-friendly
method. The present chapter is an attempt to primarily address the involvement of
Si in minimizing the negative effects of abiotic stresses.
Keywords
Abiotic stress · Silicon · Drought · Salinity · Nanoparticles
2.1
Introduction
The term “stress” signifies a set of conditions that deviate plant growth, development, and other characteristics adversely from its “normal state” (Lal et al. 2018;
Mehta et al. 2019a). Plants encounter these stresses during their entire life cycle
initiating from germination and seedling stage to the post-harvest stage (Singh et al.
2018; Sharma et al. 2020). All these growth-limiting “stresses” can be categorized
into two major categories, namely abiotic and biotic stresses (Singh et al. 2019;
Mehta et al. 2019b; Ramegowda et al. 2020). Abiotic stress conditions arise due to
fluctuation in plant’s physical environment (naturally occurring inanimate factors)
like rain, drought, floods, salinity, metal/metalloid toxicity, nutrient paucity, dwindling seasonal patterns, and temperature shifts (Lal et al. 2018; Mohammadi et al.
2020). On the other hand, the latter one is a consequence of living disturbances, such
as fungi, bacteria, virus, nematodes, rodents, oomycetes, etc., that negatively affect
the plant’s well-being (Rahman et al. 2019; Ali et al. 2020).
The most frightening fact is that the frequency and incidences of these stresses
have increased in the last 50 years (Xu 2016; Surówka et al. 2020). It is actually
because of amalgamated effects of growing human population and anthropogenic
activities (Cripps 2016; Mahmoud and Gan 2018; Tamburino et al. 2020). These
activities include over-exploitation of resources, deforestation, desertification, pollution, and global warming (Mahmoud and Gan 2018; Mona et al. 2019; Baldos
et al. 2019). All these factors either individually or in combination have affected the
total food productivity negatively and the whole scenario of food production will
turn worse in the near future (Kamanga and Mndala 2019; Rafique et al. 2020).
There is a huge gap between food productivity, demand, and supply (Grafton et al.
2015; Müller et al. 2020). Therefore, the most serious challenge at present is to refine
the scientific research as well as administrative strategies, so as to feed the everyminute increasing population in future (Conceição et al. 2016; Martin-Shields and
Stojetz 2019; Tyagi 2020). Additionally, the focus must be given on enhancing the
already declined soil fertility as the soil provides habitat, nutrients, and beneficial
microbes, which is required for proper growth and development of plants (Shahid
et al. 2019).
18
S. Mehta et al.
double layer. Moreover, being non-corrosive and non-pollutive,
Si-supplementation has proven to be the most economic as well as eco-friendly
method. The present chapter is an attempt to primarily address the involvement of
Si in minimizing the negative effects of abiotic stresses.
Keywords
Abiotic stress · Silicon · Drought · Salinity · Nanoparticles
2.1
Introduction
The term “stress” signifies a set of conditions that deviate plant growth, development, and other characteristics adversely from its “normal state” (Lal et al. 2018;
Mehta et al. 2019a). Plants encounter these stresses during their entire life cycle
initiating from germination and seedling stage to the post-harvest stage (Singh et al.
2018; Sharma et al. 2020). All these growth-limiting “stresses” can be categorized
into two major categories, namely abiotic and biotic stresses (Singh et al. 2019;
Mehta et al. 2019b; Ramegowda et al. 2020). Abiotic stress conditions arise due to
fluctuation in plant’s physical environment (naturally occurring inanimate factors)
like rain, drought, floods, salinity, metal/metalloid toxicity, nutrient paucity, dwindling seasonal patterns, and temperature shifts (Lal et al. 2018; Mohammadi et al.
2020). On the other hand, the latter one is a consequence of living disturbances, such
as fungi, bacteria, virus, nematodes, rodents, oomycetes, etc., that negatively affect
the plant’s well-being (Rahman et al. 2019; Ali et al. 2020).
The most frightening fact is that the frequency and incidences of these stresses
have increased in the last 50 years (Xu 2016; Surówka et al. 2020). It is actually
because of amalgamated effects of growing human population and anthropogenic
activities (Cripps 2016; Mahmoud and Gan 2018; Tamburino et al. 2020). These
activities include over-exploitation of resources, deforestation, desertification, pollution, and global warming (Mahmoud and Gan 2018; Mona et al. 2019; Baldos
et al. 2019). All these factors either individually or in combination have affected the
total food productivity negatively and the whole scenario of food production will
turn worse in the near future (Kamanga and Mndala 2019; Rafique et al. 2020).
There is a huge gap between food productivity, demand, and supply (Grafton et al.
2015; Müller et al. 2020). Therefore, the most serious challenge at present is to refine
the scientific research as well as administrative strategies, so as to feed the everyminute increasing population in future (Conceição et al. 2016; Martin-Shields and
Stojetz 2019; Tyagi 2020). Additionally, the focus must be given on enhancing the
already declined soil fertility as the soil provides habitat, nutrients, and beneficial
microbes, which is required for proper growth and development of plants (Shahid
et al. 2019).
18
S. Mehta et al.