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Numerous abiotic stressors including heavy metal stresses, specifically cadmium (Cd) stress in agricultural bio-system hinder the plant adequate growth. The present study was aimed to reveal the protective role of silicon (Si) application with two levels and to recognize the optimum level of Si for wheat plants grown hydroponically under three different levels of Cd toxicities. In methodology, we used nine treatments with three levels of Si (0, 1, and 3 mmol L−1; Na 2 SiO 3) against three levels of Cd (0, 50, 200 μmol L−1; CdCl 2) with three biological replicates. The results of our study demonstrated that Si incorporation with the advantage of 3 mmol L−1 in cultured media with Cd50 and Cd200 demolished the toxic effects of Cd on the leaves of wheat plants by increasing plant dry biomass by 88% and 262%, leaf area by 48% and 57%, total chlorophyll contents by 120% and 74%, catalase (CAT) activity by 92% and 110%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 62% and 78%, peroxidase (POD) activity by 66% and 40%, ascorbic acid (AsA) contents by 33% and 34%, glutathione (GHS) contents by 39% and 30% and reduced MDA contents by 56% and 50%, H 2 O 2 contents by 61% and 66%, and EL contents by 56% and 47% as parallel to Cd corresponding levels. In addition, Si incorporation with the advantage of 3 mmol L−1 significantly increased relative water contents (RWC) to maintain the cell turgor pressure and protect the plant from wilting and cells flaccid and enhanced membrane stability index (MSI) to protect the plant from logging under damaging effects of Cd toxicities. Based on the present findings, Si can be considered a quasi-essential element that enhanced wheat tolerance against Cd toxicity by limiting uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Cd and through regulating antioxidative defense mechanisms. • The Cd accumulation in the leaves of wheat was enhanced under Cd stress alone. • Silicon supply alleviated Cd-induced phytotoxicity in wheat leaves. • Silicon application significantly reduced Cd translocation and thereby its uptake. • Silicon application enhanced nutrients uptake including Si and regulated defense mechanism. • The Si3 (3 mmol L−1) was more effective than Si1 (1 mmol L−1) under all Cd levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology offers many potential solutions for sustainable agroecosystem, including improvement in nutrient use efficiency, efficacy of pest management, and minimizing the adverse environmental effects of agricultural production. Herein, we first highlighted the integrated application of nanotechnology and precision agriculture for sustainable productivity. Application of nanoparticle mediated material and advanced biosensors in precision agriculture is only possible by nanochips or nanosensors. Nanosensors offers the measurement of various stresses, soil quality parameters and detection of heavy metals along with the enhanced data collection, enabling precise decision-making and resource management in agricultural systems. Nanoencapsulation of conventional chemical fertilizers (known as nanofertilizers), and pesticides (known as nanopesticides) helps in sustained and slow release of chemicals to soils and results in precise dosage to plants. Further, nano-based disease detection kits are popular tools for early and speedy detection of viral diseases. Many other innovative approaches including biosynthesized nanoparticles have been evaluated and proposed at various scales, but in fact there are some barriers for practical application of nanotechnology in soil-plant system, including safety and regulatory concerns, efficient delivery at field levels, and consumer acceptance. Finally, we outlined the policy options and actions required for sustainable agricultural productivity, and proposed various research pathways that may help to overcome the upcoming challenges regarding practical implications of nanotechnology. [Display omitted] • Nanotechnology, an innovative scientific field, is now applied in almost all scientific studies. • Integrated application of nanotechnology with precision agriculture can sustain the agricultural production. • Various kinds of nano-sensors and biosynthesized nanoparticles are applied in agriculture for better crop productivity. • Excessive nanoparticles application is a serious concern due to their unknown release in environmental compartments. • Toxicity concerns causing nanotechnology application limited, especially related to human health should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]