Arsenic (As) is a toxic heavy metal, found abundant in the environment, especially in industrial waste and pesticide formulations. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of silicon (Si) application and its mechanism in the alleviation of toxic effects of As in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. The treatments consisted of four levels of As (0, 4, 8, and 12 mg kg⁻¹ of soil) factorially combined with three levels of Si (0, 50, and 100 mg kg⁻¹) applied in the earthen pots placed in a triplicate completely randomized design. Results have shown a significant correlation of morphological and biochemical traits, which depicts that accumulation of Si-enhanced antioxidant defense mechanism which alleviates the As toxicity. Application of Si improved plant growth and gas exchange attributes by reducing the accumulation of As in plant tissues and reactive oxygen species production and by improving the membrane stability (lower malondialdehyde), synthesis of chlorophyll pigments, antioxidant enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase), and proline accumulation. Application of Si at 100 mg kg⁻¹ of soil may be proved best for sustainable maize production under As toxicity. This will not only improve plant growth and development but also have positive impact on the environment.

砷（As）是一种有毒的重金属，在环境中，尤其是在工业废料和农药配方中，含量很高。本研究旨在评估硅（Si）的应用及其在减轻砷对玉米（Zea mays L.）幼苗的毒害作用中的作用。处理包括四个水平的砷（0、4、8和12 mg kg ^-1土壤）和三个水平的硅（0、50和100 mg kg ^-1）组成）应用于一式三份完全随机设计的瓦罐中。结果显示出形态和生化特性的显着相关性，这表明Si增强的抗氧化剂防御机制的积累减轻了As的毒性。硅的应用通过减少植物组织中As的积累和活性氧的产生以及改善膜的稳定性（降低丙二醛含量），叶绿素色素的合成，抗氧化酶活性（超氧化物歧化酶，过氧化物酶，过氧化氢酶），改善了植物的生长和气体交换特性。 ）和脯氨酸的积累。施用100 mg kg ^-1的Si在As毒性下，土壤中最有效的玉米可能被证明是可持续玉米生产的最佳方法。这不仅会改善植物的生长发育，而且会对环境产生积极影响。