Silicon and nano-silicon in plant nutrition and crop quality

Silicon (Si) is recognized as a beneficial plant nutrient and has many direct and indirect beneficial effects on plant growth and development. Nanoparticles are gaining more attention in agriculture because of their distinctive physiological properties than bulk particles due to their small size, high surface area, and reactivity. Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) act as a promising agent for better nutrition of crop plants than conventional fertilizers. In addition, both Si and Si-NPs are used to produce effective fertilizers for crops and minimize fertilizer loss through slow and controlled release. Silicon and Si-NPs play a vital role in mechanical strength and resistance to fungal diseases and reduce the toxicity of several toxic elements in crops. In addition, both Si and Si-NPs could enhance the nutritional quality by increasing the concentrations of mineral nutrients, protein, and some amino acids contents in monocotyledonous and some dicotyledonous crops. The chapter also discusses the future application of Si and Si-NPs to improve crop yield and its nutritional quality.