South African Journal of Botany

• Si improves root development, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake, leading to increased biomass and higher crop productivity. • It strengthens cell walls and triggers defense responses, helping plants withstand drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity. • Si acts as a physical and biochemical barrier, reducing damage from pests and pathogens, minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides. • It o…

• An efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Codonopsis pilosula was established using leaf explants. • Different plant growth regulators influenced somatic embryogenesis. • Histological analysis confirmed indirect somatic embryogenesis of C. pilosula. • Flow cytometry verified genetic fidelity of regenerated plants in comparison with mother plants. • The study enables scalable production of …