Phosphorus–Silicon Crosstalk in Plants: Enhancing Nutrient Efficiency and Alleviating Stress
A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant-Crop Biology and Biochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Plants are often exposed to abiotic and biotic stress. Plant stress can be counteracted by selecting more stress-resistant varieties, irrigation, drainage, fertilization, and the use of biostimulants.
Phosphorus and silicon play a key role in increasing plant resistance to stress. Silicon is deposited in cell walls, making the plant more resistant to mechanical damage and attacks by pests and diseases and reducing excessive water and thermal stress. Silicon helps the plant cope with excess of toxic elements in the soil. Phosphorus is crucial for energy processes and cell structure. It stimulates the proper and intensive development of the root system and increases the plant's drought resistance. Autumn fertilization with phosphorus and potassium increases plant resistance to low temperatures. Phosphorus improves the plant's overall condition and vitality, allowing it to better cope with various stress factors.
Using fertilizers containing both phosphorus and silicon can lead to complex interactions. Intensive phosphorus fertilization can limit plants' ability to absorb silicon, which can lead to reduced resistance. Particularly, for soils with low phosphorus content, silicon fertilization can cause the release of phosphorus forms unavailable to plants, improving their nutrition. Despite the potential antagonism, silicon and phosphorus can act complementarily. Silicon physically strengthens the plant, while phosphorus provides it with energy and proper development, which ultimately leads to better adaptation to stressful conditions.
For this Special Issue, we welcome submissions of innovative research and review papers on innovative mineral and organic fertilization strategies that promote integrated and ecological agriculture. Particularly valuable areas are the problems concerning the impact of agricultural techniques on the interaction of phosphorus and silicon in plants, the increase in quantity and quality of yield, and alleviation of stresses specific to given soil and climatic conditions.
Prof. Dr. Hanna Klikocka
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- phosphorus
- silicon
- elements
- interaction
- plant
- crop
- stress
- integrated and ecological system
- fertilizers
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