On the Prospects for the Use of Nanosilica Sols As Highly Effective Si-Rich Biostimulators

Silicon-containing materials are considered promising agents for enhancing plant resistance to abiotic stresses. These include nanosilica sols, which, according to laboratory studies, can serve as a source of orthosilicic acid, a widely recognized effective biostimulant. The results of a pot trial conducted with 4 different silica sols show that their application increases wheat adaptability to drought by enhancing the content of photosynthetic pigments and activating key antioxidant defense enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase. This leads to a reduction in the negative effects of oxidative stress. The environmental safety and availability of such agents justify further research in this direction.