title: Importance of silicon and mechanisms of biosilica formation in plants.
abstract: Silicon (Si) is one of the most prevalent macroelements, performing an essential function in healing plants in response to environmental stresses. The purpose of using Si is to induce resistance to distinct stresses, diseases, and pathogens. Additionally, Si can improve the condition of soils, which contain toxic levels of heavy metals along with other chemical elements. Silicon minimizes toxicity of Fe, Al, and Mn, increases the availability of P, and enhances drought along with salt tolerance in plants through the formation of silicified tissues in plants. However, the concentration of Si depends on the plants genotype and organisms. Hence, the physiological mechanisms and metabolic activities of plants may be affected by Si application. Peptides as well as amino acids can effectively create polysilicic species through interactions with different species of silicate inside solution. The carboxylic acid and the alcohol groups of serine and asparagine tend not to engage in any significant role in polysilicates formation, but the hydroxyl group side chain can be involved in the formation of hydrogen bond with Si(OH)4. The mechanisms and trend of Si absorption are different between plant species. Furthermore, the transportation of Si requires an energy mechanism; thus, low temperatures and metabolic repressors inhibit Si transportation.
authors: Laboratory of Plantation Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Mahbod
authors: 0000-0003-2165-484X
authors: M
authors: Sahebi
authors: Laboratory of Plantation Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ; Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Mohamed M
authors: 0000-0003-1898-6819
authors: MM
authors: Hanafi
authors: Laboratory of Plantation Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Abdullah
authors: A
authors: Siti Nor Akmar
authors: Laboratory of Food Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Mohd Y
authors: MY
authors: Rafii
authors: Laboratory of Food Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Parisa
authors: 0000-0001-5464-6761
authors: P
authors: Azizi
authors: Laboratory of Plantation Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: F F
authors: FF
authors: Tengoua
authors: Laboratory of Plantation Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Jamaludin
authors: J
authors: Nurul Mayzaitul Azwa
authors: Laboratory of Food Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Shabanimofrad
mesh_terms: D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012825:Silicon