Silicon (Si) is considered a non-essential element similar to cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc., for plants, yet Si is beneficial to plant growth, so it is also referred to as a quasi-essential element (similar to aluminum, cobalt, sodium and selenium). An element is considered quasi-essential if it is not required by plants but its absence results in significant negative consequences or anomalies in plant growth, reproduction and development. Si is reported to reduce the negative impacts of different stresses in plants. The significant accumulation of Si on the plant tissue surface is primarily responsible for these positive influences in plants, such as increasing antioxidant activity while reducing soil pollutant absorption. Because of these advantageous properties, the application of Si-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) in agricultural and food production has received a great deal of interest. Furthermore, conventional Si fertilizers are reported to have low bioavailability; therefore, the development and implementation of nano-Si fertilizers with high bioavailability could be crucial for viable agricultural production. Thus, in this context, the objectives of this review are to summarize the effects of both Si and Si-NPs on soil microbes, soil properties, plant growth and various plant pathogens and diseases. Si-NPs and Si are reported to change the microbial colonies and biomass, could influence rhizospheric microbes and biomass content and are able to improve soil fertility.

Utilizing environmentally friendly techniques for pathogen control in agriculture is a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to managing crop diseases. These techniques leverage the natural environment and ecosystem dynamics to reduce pathogen pressure, minimize the use of chemical inputs, and promote long-term agricultural productivity. Key strategies include crop rotation, intercropping, and maintaining biodiversity, all of which disrupt pathogen life cycles and enhance soil health. Biological control, such as introducing natural antagonists like beneficial fungi or bacteria, suppresses pathogen populations while promoting plant resilience. Additionally, practices such as mulching, soil solarization, and water management optimize environmental conditions to limit the development and spread of pathogens. These techniques also contribute to integrated pest management by providing sustainable, cost-effective solutions that reduce chemical dependency and mitigate climate change and other environmental impacts. This review discusses the importance of utilizing environmentally friendly techniques, highlighting their advantages, practical challenges, and limitations in different agro-ecological settings, and their role in advancing sustainable agriculture.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and biochar amendment has been reported to improve the growth of several crop plant; however, their role in stress amelioration individually as well as in combination has not been worked out. Limited information is available about the synergistic use of biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). Here, we investigated the synergistic effect of biochar and AMF on plant development, root architecture, the physiological performance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and soil enzymatic activities. Biochar and AMF were shown to have a considerable effect on plant height, according to the data (53.3 and 66.6%, respectively), leaf number (22.5 and 45.1%), total root length (19.8 and 40.1%), root volume (32.1 and 71.4%), chlorophyll a content (26.0 and 17.8%), chlorophyll b content (50.0 and 28.9%), total chlorophyll content (30.0 and 18.1%), and carotenoid content (60.0 and 48.0%) over the control treatment. There was a considerable increase in plant height when biochar and AMF were combined together by 80.9%, total root length by 68.9%, projected area by 48.7%, root surface area by 34.4%, root volume by 78.5%, chlorophyll a content by 34.2%, chlorophyll b content by 68.4%, total chlorophyll content by 44.5%, and carotenoid content by 84.0% compared to the control. Our results recommend that the combination of biochar and AMF is advantageous in fenugreek growth, microbial biomass, and soil enzyme activities.

Lentil is an important grain legume crop which is mostly grown on marginal soils that hamper its productivity. Improvement of salt tolerance in lentils is considered to be a useful strategy of utilizing salt-affected lands in an economic manner. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of seed priming using silicic acid and humic acid both seperately and in combination to improve salt stress tolerance among three different lentil varieties: IPL-316 (tolerant), PSL-9, and PDL-1 (susceptible). The concentrations and durations of treatments were standardized under the normal condition and the salinity stress condition. Salt stress hindered seedling emergence and biomass production and accelerated Na⁺ toxicity and oxidative damage at the seedling stage in untreated seeds. Nevertheless, chemical priming improved early seedling emergence, increased root length, shoot length, and seed vigor index I and II, and reduced the mean germination time. A significant quantitative change in biochemical parameters under normal and salinity stress conditions was observed in IPL-316,viz. Specifically, for IPL-316, the following parameters were observed (values under the normal condition and values under salt stress conditions, respectively): chlorophyll-a (16 and 13 mg/g Fw), chlorophyll-b (25 and 16 mg/g FW), total chlorophyll content (42 and 30 mg/g FW), relative leaf water content (92% and 82%), total soluble sugars (26 and 33 ug/g FW), free amino acid (10 and 7 mg/g FW), total phenol (26 and 24 mg of GAE/g FW), total protein (35 and 29 mg/g FW), carbohydrate (208 and 173 mg/g FW), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (29 and 35 unit/min./g FW), proline (0.28 and 0.32 u mol/g FW), catalase (CAT) (84 and 196 unit/mL/g FW), and peroxidase (POX) (217 and 738 unit/mL/g FW). Furthermore, histochemical analysis of H₂O₂ and O²⁻, micronutrients, and macronutrients also increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) (0.31 and 0.47 nmol/mL FW) content decreased using silicic and humic acid priming under salt stress conditions. The combination of silicic and humic acids improved seedling growth and reduced oxidative damage in lentil plants under salt stress conditions. The combination of silicic and humic acid priming hastened seedling emergence, seed quality parameters, and biochemical parameters under salt stress over respective control. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of integrated chemical priming in lentils for salinity stress. In conclusion, chemical priming using a combination of silicic and humic acid performed better in terms of seed quality due to enhanced antioxidant machinery, better membrane stability and osmolyte protection, and enhanced nutrient uptake under salt stress conditions.

Ginger is rich in different chemical compounds such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. The present study investigated the effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, soil enzymes activity, and soil properties in Surkhandarya Region, Uzbekistan. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first in Uzbekistan to investigate the mineral elements of ginger rhizome inhabiting Termez district, Surkhandarya region. A Field experiment was conducted at the Surkhandarya experimental station research Institute. Four treatments have been studied (Control with no fertilizers (T-1), N₇₅P₅₀K₅₀ kg/ha (T-2), N₁₂₅P₁₀₀K₁₀₀ kg/ha (T-3) and N₁₀₀P₇₅K₇₅ + B₃Zn₆Fe₆ kg/ha (T-4)). Results showed that T-4 treatment significantly increased ginger rhizome K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Na, Mn, Zn, Si, Li, and V content as compared to all other treatments and control. T-3 treatment significantly increased Mo, Ga, and Ag content in comparison to other treatments. Soil enzymes showed a significant increase for all treatments against control, while T-4 treatment has recorded the highest enzyme activity in comparison to all other treatments in urease, invertase, and catalase content. Soil chemical properties have significantly changed for all treatments against the non-cultivated soil and the zero fertilizers plantation with variation among different treatments. Results showed that ginger root is rich in minerals and can be used as a great potential for nutritional supplements and soil enrichment. This study suggest that combination of macro-microelements have the potential to increase the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of ginger in field conditions.