Plants Response to Metalloid Signal: Insight into the Link Between Silicon and Plant Signalling

Silica is a ubiquitous material that is in abundant quantity in the biosphere and has a highly impactful role in the flora and fauna of the ecosystem though it is inaccessible to plants because of its state of existence as an insoluble silicate mineral. Silica plays vital role in the regulation of plant responses during various biotic and abiotic stress conditions and also improves the overall production and quality parameters of multiple crop plants. Mechanisms for solubilizing silicon include ligands (divalent cations), organic and inorganic acids, alkalis (nucleophilic assault), and extracellular solvents. Polysaccharides and their influencing variables on Si and their control on gene expression involved in Si absorption, mineralization and transportation have to be studied to decode the mode of action of silica. The essentiality or non essential property of silica for plants is still a matter of debate and is considered as an adjuvant for plant growth. However, several studies have been conducted to decode the role of silica metalloid that had led to great progress in understanding the function of the element in plants and the mechanism by which it increases plants’ vigor and resilience against the adverse climatic conditions.