Enhancing Resilience in Hydroponic Crops with Silicon: Insights into Growth Enhancement and Stress Mitigation

Hydroponics is a soil-independent cultivation method using nutrient solutions and a promising alternative to other methods by offering benefits such as enhanced yield, lower water consumption, and minimized risks of diseases and pests. In this context, silicon (Si) has gained attention due to its various roles in enhancing plant growth and mitigating stress in hydroponic systems. This book chapter delves into the significant roles of Si in hydroponics and emphasizes its contributions to enhancing plant growth, resilience, and yield. Although it is not considered essential, Si markedly improves plant health, aids in the creation of physical barriers against pathogens, bolsters cell wall integrity, and improves nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. Furthermore, Si supplementation in hydroponics mitigates a range of biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and high temperatures, by reinforcing plant physiological and biochemical mechanisms. This chapter synthesizes the current understanding of Si’s multifaceted benefits for hydroponic cultivation from its impact on disease resistance and stress mitigation to its influence on nutrient efficiency and plant structural strength. Given the critical need for further in-depth research to optimize Si application in various crops, this review underscores the potential of Si as a sustainable approach to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in the face of environmental challenges.