Silicon and Nano-Silicon in Water Use Efficiency

This review aims to discuss and investigate the current situation of this availability and explores future scenarios that shall shape agricultural production. In general, the physiological effects that improve plant growth under water deficit stimulated by Si are the regulation of stomate opening, reduction of leaf transpiration, and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes against oxidative damage induced by water stress. However, there is a new beneficial effect that research has reported with potential accumulator plants: the modification of carbon stoichiometry, which increases the efficiency of nutritional use in plants. This review highlighted the mechanisms of Si inducing plants to increase tolerance to drought in water-restricted areas.