 Corresponding author: Domenico Prisa Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Increasing plant resistance with silicon applications Domenico Prisa * CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via dei Fiori 8, 51012 Pescia, PT, Italy. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(03), 602–608 Publication history: Received on 01 February 2023; revised on 11 March 2023; accepted on 14 March 2023 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.3.0413 Abstract The mineral element silicon, accumulated in the leaves and roots of various plants, plays a crucial role in increasing resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Although considered a mineral element that is not essential for plant life, silicon provides significant benefits. This mineral accumulated in tissues provides increased resistance of cells to mechanical stresses, reduced water loss through transpiration, increased resistance to sunlight, and reduced metal toxicity and salt stresses. Plants accumulate silicon differently, depending on their root type and functionality. Molecular studies have made it possible to identify the genes responsible for silicon accumulation. In the future, advances in this field could improve techniques for studying the mechanisms involved in silicon uptake, not only by increasing its availability within tissues but also by improving its storage capacity. Unfortunately, many plants cannot absorb silicon and, therefore, cannot benefit from the mechanisms that lead to increased resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. This review aims to highlight the benefits obtainable with the use of silicon in those plants capable of absorbing it, particularly in the control of biotic and abiotic stresses. Keywords: Biotic stress; Abiotic stress; Silicon; Plant growth; Increased resilience 1. Introduction Silicon (Si) is among the minerals found most in the soil after oxygen, constituting 70 per cent of its mass. most commonly found in the soil after oxygen, constituting 70 per cent of its mass. In most soils, silicon concentrations are between 300 and 500 µM. Most plants contain silicon in their tissues. Although not involved in their metabolism, its deficiency can cause various problems, particularly resistance to abiotic stresses. Numerous studies have shown that silicon applications effectively increase resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases [1,2]. Silicon can reduce the spread of pathogenic fungi in plants such as rice, wheat, tomato, soya, and cucumber. In America, the application of silicon with fertilizers enables a reduction in fungal diseases in both the field and nursery. Various research has shown that using silicon in crops can reduce the lesions caused by fungi and the amount of spores detectable in each cut [3,4,5]. Microscopy studies have shown that silicon accumulates near the germination tube or on the fungi's hypha, reducing the attack's site with the host. Pot experiments have also shown how silicon acts as an antifungal against Rhizoctonia solani and white malaise in cucumber, barley, wheat, sugar cane, and oats. Silicon-based soil conditioners in nutrient solutions are successfully used to control white malaria [6,7]. In strawberries, an increase of silicon in the leaves has been shown to reduce the incidence of white blight. Silicon deficiency in cereal crops such as barley and wheat can lead to stunted growth and increased susceptibility to fungal diseases [8,9,10]. In horticulture, fungal infections and germination of fungal conidia are related to the silicon content of the nutrient solution. Foliar applications of silicon are effective in inhibiting powdery mildew development on vegetable plants and in viticulture [11,12,13]. Silicon applied to leaves is deposited on their surface and reduces the binding sites from which fungi can penetrate. Increased resistance