Silicon: A valuable soil element for improving plant growth and CO₂ sequestration

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Soil Science
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant soil element, crucial for plant productivity.
• Plants store Si as biogenic silica (phytoliths), mobilized via soil weathering.
• Understanding Si's role in agroecosystems is essential for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interactome of Si, CO2, microbiome, and soil chemistry.
• To highlight progress in understanding silicate dissolution, uptake, and translocation.
• To explore Si's role in sustainable agriculture and climate stability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Si cycling in agroecosystems.
• Analysis of Si interaction with CO2 and soil microbiome.
• Examination of factors influencing silicate dissolution and plant uptake.

Main Results:

• Si cycling is linked to carbon cycling, enhancing climate stability.
• Reactive elements and plant transporters are crucial for Si mobilization and uptake.
• Microbiomes contribute to silicate weathering through metabolite and enzyme production.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the Si-CO2-microbiome-soil chemistry nexus is vital for sustainable crop production.
• Enhancing Si uptake improves crop productivity and abiotic stress tolerance.
• Further research on Si interactions with CO2 and microbiome is needed for climate resilience.