Abstract
Abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought stresses are known as the main constraints for optimum growth of plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, in recent years, agricultural scientists have begun to research about the fertilizers that have a multifaceted use and can be used to maintain the optimum growth and yield of strategic plants under environmental stresses. Since wheat is the most important crop worldwide, stress tolerance plays a crucial role in food security. By different mechanisms, silicon (Si) improves the tolerance of plants to salinity and drought stresses including regulation of plant water relationships, gas exchange, photosynthesis, nutrient balance, reducing oxidative stress, reducing ionic toxicity, osmoregulation and root growth, potassium uptake, and stimulation of plant hormones. In the present work, the effects of Si on wheat tolerance to salinity and drought stresses will be discussed and it will try to explain the involved mechanisms in the regulation of the plant growth and yield by Si. This study also highlights the need for future research on the role of Si in wheat under drought stress and in saline soils.
