Autotoxicity is a phenomenon in which plants release chemical compounds into the soil that inhibit the growth or reproduction of other members of their own species. This self-inhibitory effect is a major driver of continuous cropping obstacles, where replanting the same crop in a field year after year leads to declining yields and increased disease susceptibility. Understanding autotoxic mechanisms helps researchers develop crop rotation strategies and soil management practices to sustain agricultural productivity.
Adding silicon to the soil can protect pepper plants from a natural toxin they produce themselves during intensive farming, restoring growth, photosynthesis, and fruit yield to near-normal levels.
1
1 mM silicon treatment increased plant height by 53.4%, stem diameter by 16.8%, and leaf number by 35.3% under phthalic acid stress
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1.5 mM silicon reversed photosynthetic suppression, increasing net photosynthetic rate by 381.0% and chlorophyll content by 25.8%
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Field trials confirmed 1 mM silicon restored pepper yield to control levels, improved fruit quality, and reduced disease-like symptom incidence
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