Significant Roles of Silicon for Improving Crop Productivity and Factors Affecting Silicon Uptake and Accumulation in Rice: a Review

Silicon (Si) is recognized as a beneficial element for rice crop growth, as it can increase production by alleviating both biotic and abiotic stresses during cultivation. The beneficial effects of Si in rice are mostly related to the accumulation of high levels in different plant parts and the resulting strengthening of plant cell rigidity. The wide variation in Si concentration in plants is strongly influenced by an interaction effect between genetic and environmental factors, the latter being commonly related to the availability of Si in the soil. Although Si plays an important role in rice crop growth and productivity, there is limited information available concerning the factors controlling Si uptake and accumulation in rice. In this review, we discuss the significant roles of silicon for improving rice crops and how the genetic and environmental factors during crop cultivation, including soil types, soil pH, temperature, water conditions, soil nutrients application, and management, affect the Si uptake and accumulation in rice plants. A better understanding of rice genetics and environmental factors influencing Si accumulation in rice plants would be very useful for further investigation in more detail regarding improvements in rice production and quality.