Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism

Abstract Agricultural production faces significant losses due to salinity, drought, pests, insects, and weeds, particularly in nutrient- and fertilizer-deficient soils. This review focuses on enhancing the productivity of crops grown in dry and saline environments. Silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and...

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Main Authors: Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi, Azamal Husen, Noreen Zahra, Abdul Moheman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Nano
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04270-2
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author Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi
Azamal Husen
Noreen Zahra
Abdul Moheman
author_facet Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi
Azamal Husen
Noreen Zahra
Abdul Moheman
author_sort Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Agricultural production faces significant losses due to salinity, drought, pests, insects, and weeds, particularly in nutrient- and fertilizer-deficient soils. This review focuses on enhancing the productivity of crops grown in dry and saline environments. Silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and silicon compounds (SiO₂/SiO₃2⁻) have shown potential to improve crop yields while mitigating the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses. As an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, Si NPs stimulate germination, plant growth, biomass accumulation, and nutrient absorption due to their small size, large surface area, and ease of cellular penetration. These nanoparticles reduce salinity stress by modulating gene expression, leading to the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and APX, which help combat reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with low concentrations of nano-silica (100–300 mg/L) significantly enhances plants' tolerance to salinity. Si NPs, when combined with soluble polymeric materials and rhizobacteria, provide a sustainable impact due to their slow-release properties, offering prolonged protection against bacterial and viral infections under saline stress conditions. Graphical abstract
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series Discover Nano
spelling doaj-art-1db71bca100142ea9b7fd01bbb2c9ddd2025-08-20T02:00:07ZengSpringerDiscover Nano2731-92292025-05-0120112410.1186/s11671-025-04270-2Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanismKhwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi0Azamal Husen1Noreen Zahra2Abdul Moheman3Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim UniversityWolaita Sodo UniversityDepartment of Botany, Government College Women UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Gandhi Faiz-E-Aam College (Affiliated to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University)Abstract Agricultural production faces significant losses due to salinity, drought, pests, insects, and weeds, particularly in nutrient- and fertilizer-deficient soils. This review focuses on enhancing the productivity of crops grown in dry and saline environments. Silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and silicon compounds (SiO₂/SiO₃2⁻) have shown potential to improve crop yields while mitigating the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses. As an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, Si NPs stimulate germination, plant growth, biomass accumulation, and nutrient absorption due to their small size, large surface area, and ease of cellular penetration. These nanoparticles reduce salinity stress by modulating gene expression, leading to the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and APX, which help combat reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with low concentrations of nano-silica (100–300 mg/L) significantly enhances plants' tolerance to salinity. Si NPs, when combined with soluble polymeric materials and rhizobacteria, provide a sustainable impact due to their slow-release properties, offering prolonged protection against bacterial and viral infections under saline stress conditions. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04270-2Foliar and soil exposureNano fertilizersImproved salt stress tolerancePlant growth promoterAntioxidantsNutrients carrier
spellingShingle Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi
Azamal Husen
Noreen Zahra
Abdul Moheman
Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism
Discover Nano
Foliar and soil exposure
Nano fertilizers
Improved salt stress tolerance
Plant growth promoter
Antioxidants
Nutrients carrier
title Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism
title_full Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism
title_fullStr Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism
title_short Harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress: application and mechanism
title_sort harnessing silicon nanoparticles and various forms of silicon for enhanced plant growth performance under salinity stress application and mechanism
topic Foliar and soil exposure
Nano fertilizers
Improved salt stress tolerance
Plant growth promoter
Antioxidants
Nutrients carrier
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04270-2
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AT noreenzahra harnessingsiliconnanoparticlesandvariousformsofsiliconforenhancedplantgrowthperformanceundersalinitystressapplicationandmechanism
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