Drought is one of the major yield‐limiting factors under climatic adversaries. The positive role of silicon (Si) in drought tolerance of plants has unfolded a new avenue for enhancing crop productivity through better Si use efficiency. It is hence interesting to understand the mechanistic insights pertaining to its beneficial roles under drought stress conditions. Higher plants sense drought stress via roots which, regulate aboveground plant growth under stress. Cellular and molecular modulations occurring at the root and soil interphases influence the survival and growth of plants under drought stress; therefore, it is intriguing to know how Si influences the soil–root interphase and how this interaction augments overall plant growth under drought. In this review, we summarised the roles of Si in the root systems, rhizosphere and their interactions that could improve plant's growth and development under drought conditions. We have discussed the direct and indirect effects of Si‐induced belowground changes on plant roots, soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and their mutual interactions in eliciting defence signalling, including hormone signalling pathways. A mechanistic model of Si‐induced beneficial effects in water‐limited environments is suggested, which could help improve the management of rainfed croplands through Si fertilisation.

中文翻译：

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硅介导的耐旱性：根-土界面的神秘视角


干旱是气候不利条件下的主要产量限制因素之一。硅（Si）在植物耐旱性方面的积极作用，为通过提高硅的利用效率来提高作物生产力开辟了新途径。因此，了解其在干旱胁迫条件下的有益作用的机制见解是很有趣的。高等植物通过根部感知干旱胁迫，从而在胁迫下调节地上植物的生长。根部和土壤间期发生的细胞和分子调节影响植物在干旱胁迫下的生存和生长；因此，了解硅如何影响土壤-根间相以及这种相互作用如何促进干旱下植物的整体生长是很有趣的。在这篇综述中，我们总结了硅在根系、根际的作用及其相互作用，可以改善干旱条件下植物的生长和发育。我们讨论了硅诱导的地下变化对植物根系、土壤物理、化学和生物特性的直接和间接影响，以及它们在引发防御信号（包括激素信号通路）方面的相互作用。提出了硅在水资源有限的环境中引起的有益影响的机制模型，这有助于通过硅施肥改善雨养农田的管理。