Silicon and Silica Nanoparticles: Uptake and Transport Mechanism in Plants and Their Effects on Plant Yield

Silicon (Si) is one of the useful elements for the growth of many plant species and increases the plantchr('39')s resistance to various types of abiotic and biotic stresses. Despite their many advantages, the application of silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) has been less explored in agriculture. These nanoparticles affect the metabolic activity of plants by entering plants. Also, due to the porous nature of silica nanoparticles, they are suitable nanocarriers for various molecules in agriculture. A large group of proteins and genes cause the transfer of silicon in the plant. Lsi1 (Lower silicon transprter 1) and Lsi2 (Lower silicon transprter 2) are two main types of Si transporter in the uptake and distribution of Si have been identified. Identification of these transporters has determined the path of silicon uptake from the root level and its transfer to the shoots. But the Si transporter involved in silicon uptake in the xylem have not yet been fully identified. Also, silicon transporters for silica cells, in which a very high amount of silicon accumulates are not known. Because the beneficial effects of silicon in the plant are related to the amount of silicon accumulation in the plant, it is important to study the mechanism of Si uptake and transport in plants. This paper investigates the uptake, transport, and accumulation of silicon in plants as well as the importance of silicon and nano silicon for agricultural products.