Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Silicon and its Impact on Crude Plant Drug Production in North East India

Silicon (Si) exhibits a beneficial impact in mitigating both biotic and abiotic stress, yet its potential significance in the context of medicinal plant and crude plant drug production, particularly in the strongly acidic soils of North East (NE) India, remains underreported. This study aimed to assess the effects of Si application on medicinal plants, focusing on growth, physico-chemical and biological attributes under stressful conditions. The study highlighted the benefits of Si application, particularly through foliar application, on medicinal plants such as lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats], ginseng (Panax ginseng), coriander (Coriandrum Sativum L.) and bananas. Foliar Si application demonstrated improvements in plant growth and yield, employing morphological, physiological and biological responses in lemongrass and ginseng while enhancing the growth and yield of coriander by improving relative water content, total phenolic and total flavonoid content under water stress. Si applications also resulted in increased fresh and dry weight of bananas, alongside improvements in biochemical parameters, like increased starch and total sugar content and delay in banana ripening through the reduction of cellulose and amylase activity. The study underscores the effectiveness of Si in enhancing the growth and yield of medicinal plants. Within the context of NE India, this report draws attention to the considerable challenges faced in cultivating well-suited medicinal plants and crude plant drugs, crucial for herbal healthcare and the future well-being of humanity. Consequently, Si’s role in fostering therapeutic plants and enriching soil nutrient status emerges as a compelling policy to usher in a new era of medicinal plant drugs.