Application of Iodine, Selenium and Silicon for Promotion of Crop Production

Food quality and resistance to pests and diseases have significant impacts on food security. One of the potential options to increase crop tolerance to stressors is the addition of bio-stimulating elements. Plants need at least 14 macronutrients and micronutrients for normal functioning; however, a lot of elements are non-essential, although they can have positive effects on plant growth. Research into fertilization with certain elements has attracted a lot of attention recently. Three microelements, that is, iodine (I), selenium (Se) and silicon (Si), can provide plants benefits under various biotic and abiotic stressed conditions. These elements also play essential roles against antioxidant activities in plants exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions. This chapter discusses the effects of applied I, Si and Se on the enhancement of abiotic stress tolerance and promotion of growth of crop plants.