Articles

Silicon (Si) fertilizers offer a sustainable strategy for enhancing plant resistance to sucking insect pests. Si is absorbed as monosilicic acid and deposited as amorphous silica, strengthening plant tissues, increasing hardness, reducing digestibility, and limiting stylet penetration by sap-feeding insects. In addition to these physical barriers, Si stimulates biochemical defenses by increasing activities of defense enzymes, phenolics, and lignin, which collectively reduce insect feeding and disease susceptibility. Studies across cropping systems show that Si supplementation decreases the performance, preference, and reproductive capacity of major pests such as aphids, whiteflies, planthoppers, and mealybugs, while also disrupting their development. Multiple Si sources (including calcium, potassium, and sodium silicates) are effective, with soil application providing greater systemic uptake than foliar spraying. Si fertilization also reduces pesticide use, production costs, and enhances yield, supporting environmentally friendly agriculture. When combined with biological control, Si fits well within integrated pest management programs, though optimized strategies for dicots are still needed.