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Silicon for Crops in the 21st Century

About project

Project title:

Silicon for Crops in the 21st Century

Acronym:

Si4Crop

Financier:

Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia

Budget:

261.853,39 EUR

Project duration:

2021-2024

Project coordinator:

IMSI

Project partners:

/

Project leader for IMSI:

Dr Ljiljana Kostic Kravljanac,
Research Associate Professor

Project website:

Si4Crop

Social media:

Instagram

Location:

N/A

Keywords:

Silicon, Rhizosphere, root exudates, Si availability, phloem

Dr Ljiljana Kostic Kravljanac,
Senior Research Fellow

Telephone:

(+381) 64 1932589

E-Mail:

ljkostic@imsi.bg.ac.rs

Website:

https://www.imsi.bg.ac.rs

Linkage to the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Project description

Abiotic and biotic stresses lead to considerable yield losses (up to 70%) in major food crops. Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element for plants known to enhance their resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant-derived food is a main source of bioavailable Si for humans and animals considering its importance for the structure of bones and collagenous tissues. In spite of the impressive progress in Si research made in the past decades, the precise role of Si in plants remains largely unknown, and the potential for its practical application is still underexploited. Therefore, the Si4Crop intended to elucidate the still unresolved research questions and paradigms on the root mobilization of Si from the rhizosphere, its transport via phloem (e.g. foliar application) and release of Si from the plant residues in soils and Si-fertilizers. The project combined laboratory experiments (soil and hydroponics) and in-field demonstration trials, using the state-of-the-art spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and multidisciplinary approach. The Si4Crop aims were to: 1) devise novel soil management techniques suitable to increase both, Si availability in the rhizosphere and use efficacy of Si (bio)fertilizer for root uptake; 2) resolve the controversy on the efficacy of foliar application of Si and phloem mobility and transport; 3) characterize bioavailable Si forms in plant tissues; 3) improve Si use efficiency by enhancing utilization of Si in different plant tissues; 4) increase content and bioavailability of Si in cereal grains (Si biofortification); 5) develop an innovative sustainable approach of Si application for improved biofortification of plants with beneficial trace elements for human health; 5) transfer into practice the project’s innovation through in-field demonstration for end-users; 6) create farmer awareness for the importance of Si application in crops; and 7) broaden public interest on health benefits of Si for humans and domestic animals.

Results

Publications in conferences (M34)

  1. Carballo-Méndez F. J., Bosnic P., Bosnic D., Nikolic N., Kostic-Kravljanac Lj., Stanojevic M., Nikolic M. (2022): Length of Si-priming modulates the ameliorative effect of Si on oxidative enzymes in wheat under salinity stress; 8th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture; May 23-26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Conference proceedings pp17. http://www.issag.org/8th—new-orleans.html
  2. Kostic Kravljanac Lj., Trailovic M., PavlovicJ., Nikolic M (2022): Effect of N-forms on Silicon Mobilization in the Rhizosphere of White Lupin; 8th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture; May 23-26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Conference proceedings pp 33 http://www.issag.org/8th—new-orleans.html
  3. Trailovic M., Kostic Kravljanac LJ., StanojevicM., Pavlovic J., Nikolic M. (2022): Phosphorus Deficiency Induced Silicon Mobilization in Grapevine Rhizosphere: A Field Study; 8th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture; May 23-26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.Conference proceedings 47. http://www.issag.org/8th—new-orleans.html
  4. Pavlovic J., Hernandez-Apaolaza L., Dubljanin T., Nikolic M. (2022): Silicon Enhances the Biosynthesis of Organic Acids in Zinc-deficient Rice.th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture; May 23-26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Conference proceedings pp.22. http://www.issag.org/8th—new-orleans.html
  5. Kostic I., Milenkovic I., Nikolic N., Milanovic S., Kostic Kravljanac LJ., BosnicP., Paravinja A., Miroslav Nikolic M (2022): Silicon Changes Root Phenomics and Leaf Ionomics in Oak under Phytophthora Infection and Low Phosphorus Conditions;8th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture; May 23-26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Conference proceedings pp 19 http://www.issag.org/8th—new-orleans.html
  6. Pavlović J, Kostić Kravljanac L, Bosnić P, Kostić I, Trailović M, Dubljanin T, Radović M and Nikolić M (2024): First evidence of silicon transport via phloem in plants: A germanium tracer study in cucumber. 5th International Conference on Plant Biology (24th SPPS Meeting) , 3–5 October 2024, Srebrno jezero, Serbia. Book of abstracts pp.4-16 https://www.dfbs.org.rs/book-ofabstracts-2/
  7. Kostic Kravljanac Lj, Pavlovic J, Bosnic P, Kostic I, Trailovic M, Dubljanin T, A Paravinja A and Nikolic M.(2024): Root Exudates Mobilize Silicon (Si) from Different Soil Si-Pools. 5th International Conference on Plant Biology (24th SPPS Meeting), 3-5 October 2024, Srebmo jezero,Serbia pp. 4-19 https://www.dfbs.org.rs/book-ofabstracts-2/
  8. Dubljanin T, Pavlovic J, Kostic Kravljanac Lj, Bosnic P, Kostic I, Trailovic M, Paravinja A, Stanojevic M and Nikolic M. (2024): Potential of carbon bio-sequestration by wheat phytoliths in Vojvodina. 5th International Conference on Plant Biology (24th SPPS Meeting),3- 5 October 2024, Srebrno jezero,Serbia pp 1-6. https://www.dfbs.org.rs/book-ofabstracts-2/
  9. Trailovic M, Kostic Kravljanac Lj, Stanojevic M, Radovic M, Bosnic P, Pavlovic J, Kostic I, Todic S and Nikolic M. (2024): Low phosphorus conditions promote mobilization of silicon in the grapevine rhizosphere. 5th International Conference on Plant Biology (24th SPPS Meeting )3- 5 October 2024, Srebmo jezero,Serbia pp. 2-5 https://www.dfbs.org.rs/book-ofabstracts- 2/
  10. Kostic Kravljanac L., Pavlović J., Bosnic P., Igor Kostic1, Trailović M., Dubljanin T., Nikolić M. (2025): Root exudates differently mobilize silicon from soil pools under low nutrient conditions. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 22. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  11. Radović M., Bosnić P., Pavlović J., Dubljanin T., Medić O., Bosković K., Stanković S., Nikolić M. (2025): Silicon-solubilising potential of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of field-grown wheat in Chernozem soil. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 29. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  12. Pavlović J., Kostić Kravljanac L., Dubljanin T., Trailović M., Bosnić P., Kostić I., Nikolić M. (2025): Phloem mobility and leaf remobilization of silicon in cucumber. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 38. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  13. Savić J., Pavlović J., Stanojević M., Bosnić P., Kostić Kravljanac L., Nikolić N, Nikolić M. (2025): Silicon modulates cell wall binding of excess boron differently in wheat and sunflower leaves. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 56 https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  14. Trailović M., Kostić Kravljanac L., Pavlović J., Bosnić P., Stanojević M., Paravinja A., Todić S., Nikolić M. (2025): Silicon enhances seasonal acquisition of phosphorus in Chardonnay grapevines grown under field conditions. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 57. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  15. Jović J., Kostić I, Kostić Kravljanac L. , Pavlović J., Bosnić P., Nikolić N., Toševski I., Nikolić M. (2025): Stolbur phytoplasma infection and foliar silicon application differentially affect the grapevine leaf ionome. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 68. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  16. Kostić I., Nikolić N., Milanović S., Lazarević J., Kostić Kravljanac L., Bosnić P., Pavlović J., Nikolić M. (2025): Silicon mitigates combined pathogen and herbivore stress by affecting leaf nutritional traits and larval performance in oak. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 69. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  17. Milosavljević A., Kostić Kravljanac L., Kostić I., Trailović M., Blagojević J., Petrović S., Trkulja N., Nikolić M. (2025): Silicon mitigates Macrophomina phaseolina root infection in sugar beet. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 70. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  18. Bosnić P., Natić M., Kostić I., Nikolić M. (2025): Foliar application of silicic acid enhances quality and modulates the anthocyanin composition of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 82. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  19. Bosnić P., Milićević Z., Kostić I., Rajačić S., Milosavljević A., Trkulja N., Nikolić M. (2025): Effect of K₂SiO₃ fertilization on root yield and quality of sugar beet grown under extreme weather conditions in Serbia. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 83. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  20. Dubljanin T., Pavlović J., Kostić Kravljanac L., Bosnić P., Aćin V., Mirosavljević M., Liang Y, Nikolić M. (2025): Effect of silicon fertilization and crop rotation on PhytOC sequestration in Vojvodina wheat production systems. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 93. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf
  21. Dubljanin T., Pavlović J., Kostić I., Milanović S., Kostić Kravljanac L., Bosnić P., NikoliĆ M. (2025): Silicon enhances carbon bio-sequestration in wheat under elevated CO₂. 9th International conference on silicon in agriculture, September 15-19, 2025, Belgrade, Serbia, p. 94. https://icsa2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSA2025_BOOK_OF_ABSTRACTS.pdf

Publications in Journals:

  1. Savic, J.; Pavlovic, J.; Stanojevic, M.; Bosnic, P.; Kostic Kravljanac, L.; Nikolic, N.; Nikolic, M. (2023): Silicon Differently Affects Apoplastic Binding of Excess Boron in Wheat and Sunflower Leaves. Plants 2023, 12, 1660. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12081660
  2. Kravljanac, L.K., Pavlovic, J., Bosnic, P., Kostic, I., Trailovic, M., Dubljanin, T., and Nikolic, M.(2024): Ammonium nutrition enhances rhizosphere mobilization and uptake of silicon in white lupin grown in low phosphorus soil. Plant Soil (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06982-3 M21 IF 3.9

Trailovic, M., Kravljanac, L.K., Stanojevic, M. Bosnic,P., Nikolic N., Todic S., Nikolic M. (2025): Seasonal dynamics of phosphorus (P) efficiency in grafted Chardonnay grapevines grown under low-P field conditions. Plant Soil (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07738-3

Project team

  • Project leader (PI): Ljiljana Kostić Kravljanac, Research Associate Professor, University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research
  • Project team members: Jelena Pavlović, WP coordinator (IMSI); Predrag Bosnic WP coordinator (IMSI); Igor Kostić, (IMSI) Vladimir Jovanović, (IMSI) Tijana Dubljanin, (IMSI) Maja Trailović (IMSI).
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