The effect of optimization of silicon nutrition on the stability of barley DNA

Numerous studies on the use of silicon fertilizers indicate their positive influence on the resistance of plants to biogenic and abiogenic stress; nevertheless, the mechanisms of action of silicon on the plants have been little studied. Finely divided amorphous silica was used as a reference silicon fertilizer in microfield experiments that were carried out in the north of the Moscow region with a culture of barley. The strengthening of DNA molecules was shown to occur at doses of SiO₂ of 50, 500, and 1000 kg/ha, which provided higher concentrations of monosilicic acid in the soil than other doses. Therefore, the introduction of silicon improves the viability of the plants at the genome level and enhances the natural resistance of plants in agricultural lands.