SILICON MEDIATED INDUCED RESISTANCE IN PLANTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL INSECT PESTS: A REVIEW

Use of pesticides is the main approach adopted by many farmers to manage agricultural insect pests which not only reduced infestation level of these insect pests, but also responsible for the resistance and resurgence development, causes mortality of beneficial arthropods, and environmental and health hazards. Many researchers are busy to find out alternatives of pesticides due to adverse influences. Pest damage may also be reduced through the proper management of nutrient requirements and modification with mineral nutrients such as silicon. Silicon has been authoritatively designated as a “beneficial substance” by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials and plant-available Si may now be listed on fertilizer labels. It plays an important role in the resistance of agricultural crops against several insect pests. Numerous direct and indirect effects had been observed on insect herbivores due to this micro-nutrient. Direct effects include decline in the performance which ultimately minimized plant damage while indirect effects include interruption in establishment, increasing population of natural enemies and reduction in the usage of pesticides. The purpose of this review article is to recapitulate the work of different researchers throughout the world on the management of insect pests by using an alternate strategy which have no side effects on human as well as environment and are easily available to the farmers in cheap price