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Review
. 2025 May 29;20(1):89.
doi: 10.1186/s11671-025-04270-2.

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

Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi  1 , Azamal Husen  2   3 , Noreen Zahra  4   5 , Abdul Moheman  6
Affiliations
Review

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

Khwaja Salahuddin Siddiqi et al. Discov Nano. .

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.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Foliar and soil exposure; Improved salt stress tolerance; Nano fertilizers; Nutrients carrier; Plant growth promoter.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overall effect of application of SiO2/Si-NPs in plant system under salinity stress situations
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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