Use of silicon to improve disease resistance and yield of sugarcane and banana

Abstract

In tropical agricultural systems, sugarcane and banana face constant phytosanitary challenges that significantly reduce their productivity and quality. Fungal diseases such as black sigatoka in banana and sugarcane smut represent considerable economic losses for producers, reducing yields by up to 40% in severe cases. This literature review analyzes the potential of silicon as a beneficial element to enhance disease resistance and increase the yield of these tropical crops of global economic importance. Recent studies are examined that demonstrate how silicon application strengthens plant natural defenses through multiple mechanisms: the formation of physical barriers via silica deposition in plant tissues, the activation of biochemical defense systems including the production of phenolic compounds and antioxidant enzymes, and the improvement of physiological processes such as photosynthesis. The results show significant increases in resistance to specific pathogens, with reductions of up to 60% in the incidence of diseases such as sugarcane smut, and substantial yield increases ranging from 12–22% when silicon is applied both to the soil and as a foliar treatment. However, important limitations are identified regarding the standardization of dosages, application methods, long-term economic evaluations, and the lack of studies addressing variability among cultivars. It is concluded that silicon represents a promising tool for sustainable tropical agriculture; however, further research is required to optimize its practical use under commercial conditions.