EFFECT OF SILICON AND MAGNESIUM ON HEAVY METAL STRESS RELIEF

Abstract

The increase of heavy metals in the soil is a great limitation for agricultural production and a health risk given its bioaccumulation, however, beneficial elements such as silicon have been shown to play an important role in alleviating phytotoxicity caused by these metals. Some mechanisms proposed to relieve stress with silicon (Si) include the immobilization of heavy metals in the soil, the stimulation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, coprecipitation of metals, chelation of metal ions, compartmentation, structural alterations of the cell wall and molecular alterations at the level of the plant. In this review, the potential effect of silicon (Si) and magnesium (Mg) and the mechanisms involved in alleviating heavy metal toxicity are detailed, as well as their overall effect. In addition, some results obtained in the neutralization of cadmium, lead and arsenic with the addition of magnesium silicate in increasing doses to bring the value of metals in solution zero are shared.