Beneficial elements for agricultural crops and their functional relevance in defence against stresses

The beneficial elements are not deemed essential for all crops but may be vital for particular plant taxa. The distinction between beneficial and essential is often difficult in the case of some trace elements. Elements such as aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co), sodium (Na), selenium (Se) and silicon (Si) are considered beneficial for plants. These elements are not critical for all plants but may improve plant growth and yield. Pertinently, beneficial elements reportedly enhance resistance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, high temperature, cold, UV stress, and nutrient toxicity or deficiency) and biotic stresses (pathogens and herbivores) at their low levels. However, the essential-to-lethal range for these elements is somewhat narrow. The effect of beneficial elements at low levels deserves more attention with regard to using them to fertilize crops to boost crop production under stress and to enhance plant nutritional value as a feed or food. A more holistic approach to plant nutrition would not only be restricted to nutrients essential to survival but would also include mineral elements at levels beneficial for best growth. Here, we describe the uptake mechanisms of various beneficial elements, their favourable aspects, and the role of these elements in conferring tolerance against abiotic and biotic stresses.