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17 pages, 1170 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Silicon- and Mycorrhizae- Mediated Constitutive and Induced Systemic Resistance in Rice, Oryza sativa L., against the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith

by Santhi Bhavanam and Michael J. Stout

Plants 2021, 10(10), 2126; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102126 - 07 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1865

Abstract

Induced resistance provides protection in plants against insect herbivores. Silicon and mycorrhizae often prime plant defenses and thereby enhance plant resistance against herbivores. In rice, Oryza sativa L., insect injury has been shown to induce resistance against future defoliators. However, it is unknown [...] Read more.

Induced resistance provides protection in plants against insect herbivores. Silicon and mycorrhizae often prime plant defenses and thereby enhance plant resistance against herbivores. In rice, Oryza sativa L., insect injury has been shown to induce resistance against future defoliators. However, it is unknown if silicon and mycorrhizae treatments in combination with insect injury result in greater induced resistance. Using the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, two experiments were conducted to investigate whether (1) silicon or mycorrhizae treatment alters resistance in rice and (2) induced systemic resistance in response to insect injury is augmented in silicon- or mycorrhizae- treated plants. In the first experiment, silicon treatment reduced FAW growth by 20% while mycorrhizae increased FAW growth by 8%. In the second experiment, insect injury induced systemic resistance, resulting in a 23% reduction in FAW larval weight gains on injured compared to uninjured plants, irrespective of treatment. Neither silicon nor mycorrhizae enhanced this systemic resistance in insect-injured plants. Furthermore, mycorrhizae resulted in the systemic increase of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, and injury caused a slight decrease in these enzyme activities in mycorrhizae plants. Silicon treatment did not result in a stronger induction of POD and PPO activity in injured plants. Taken together, these results indicate a lack of silicon and mycorrhizae priming of plant defenses in rice. Regardless of injury, silicon reduced FAW weight gains by 36%. Based on these results, it appears silicon-mediated biomechanical rather than biochemical defenses may play a greater role in increased resistance against FAW in rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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16 pages, 2533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Foliar Silicic Acid Application on Soybean (Glycine max L.) Varieties Grown across Two Distinct Rainfall Years

by Uppalige Shwethakumari, Thimmappa Pallavi and Nagabovanalli B. Prakash

Plants 2021, 10(6), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061162 - 08 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2894

Abstract

The foliar nutrition of silicic acid is considered to be a novel approach in enhancing the performance of many crops worldwide. The present study aimed to assess if the foliar application of silicon (Si) could influence the performance of soybean varieties with distinct [...] Read more.

The foliar nutrition of silicic acid is considered to be a novel approach in enhancing the performance of many crops worldwide. The present study aimed to assess if the foliar application of silicon (Si) could influence the performance of soybean varieties with distinct crop duration, MAUS-2 (long duration) and KBS-23 (short duration). Field experiments were conducted in two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) of varied rainfall with foliar application of silicic acid @ 2 and 4 mL L⁻¹ for three and two sprays each. The results showed significant enhancement in the yield, seed quality (protein and oil content), and uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Si) by various parts viz., seed, husk, and haulm of both varieties with foliar nutrition of silicic acid. However, the short duration variety, KBS-23, responded well under low rainfall conditions (2016) with two sprays of foliar silicic acid @ 4 mL L⁻¹ and MAUS-2 variety in the second season under higher rainfall (2017) with three sprays of foliar silicic acid @ 2 mL L⁻¹, along with the recommended dose of fertilizer. This research revealed that the effectiveness of foliar silicic acid nutrition differs with the duration of the varieties, number of sprays given, and water availability in the soil during the cropping period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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14 pages, 2571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Silicon Enhances Plant Resistance of Rice against Submergence Stress

by Taowen Pan, Jian Zhang, Lanmengqi He, Abdul Hafeez, Chuanchuan Ning and Kunzheng Cai

Plants 2021, 10(4), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040767 - 14 Apr 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3182

Abstract

Flooding is an important natural disaster limiting rice production. Silicon (Si) has been shown to have an important role in alleviating varied environmental stress. However, very few studies have investigated the effects and mechanisms of Si in alleviating flood stress in rice. In [...] Read more.

Flooding is an important natural disaster limiting rice production. Silicon (Si) has been shown to have an important role in alleviating varied environmental stress. However, very few studies have investigated the effects and mechanisms of Si in alleviating flood stress in rice. In the present study, wild type rice (cv. Oochikara, WT) and Si-defective mutant (lsi1) were chosen to examine the impacts of Si application on plant growth, photosynthesis, cell structure, and antioxidant enzyme activity of rice exposed to submergence stress at tillering stage. Our results showed that Si application improved root morphological traits, and increased Si uptake and plant biomass of WT under submergence stress, but non-significantly influenced lsi1 mutant. Under submergence stress, leaf photosynthesis of WT was significantly inhibited, and Si application had no significant effects on photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration for both of WT and lsi1 mutant, but the photochemical quenching of WT was increased and the integrity of cell structure was improved. In addition, Si application significantly reduced malondialdehyde concentration and increased the activity of peroxidase and catalase in WT leaves under submergence stress. These results suggested that Si could increase rice plant resistance against submergence stress by improving root morphological traits and chloroplast ultrastructure and enhancing antioxidant defense. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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28 pages, 7717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methane Production Rate during Anoxic Litter Decomposition Depends on Si Mass Fractions, Nutrient Stoichiometry, and Carbon Quality

by Annkathrin Hömberg, Klaus-Holger Knorr and Jörg Schaller

Plants 2021, 10(4), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040618 - 24 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1987

Abstract

While Si influences nutrient stoichiometry and decomposition of graminoid litter, it is still unclear how Si influences anoxic litter decomposition and CH₄ formation in graminoid dominated fen peatlands. First, Eriophorum vaginatum plants were grown under different Si and P availabilities, then shoots [...] Read more.

While Si influences nutrient stoichiometry and decomposition of graminoid litter, it is still unclear how Si influences anoxic litter decomposition and CH₄ formation in graminoid dominated fen peatlands. First, Eriophorum vaginatum plants were grown under different Si and P availabilities, then shoots and roots were characterized regarding their proportions of C, Si, N and P and regarding C quality. Subsequently the Eriophorum shoots were subjected to anoxic decomposition. We hypothesized; that (I) litter grown under high Si availability would show a higher Si but lower nutrient mass fractions and a lower share of recalcitrant carbon moieties; (II) high-Si litter would show higher CH₄ and CO₂ production rates during anoxic decomposition; (III) methanogenesis would occur earlier in less recalcitrant high-Si litter, compared to low-Si litter. We found a higher Si mass fraction that coincides with a general decrease in C and N mass fractions and decreased share of recalcitrant organic moieties. For high-Si litter, the CH₄ production rate was higher, but there was no long-term influence on the CO₂ production rate. More labile high-Si litter and a differential response in nutrient stoichiometry led to faster onset of methanogenesis. This may have important implications for our understanding of anaerobic carbon turnover in graminoid-rich fens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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12 pages, 914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Application Date of Fertilizer Containing Silicon and Potassium on the Yield and Technological Quality of Sugar Beet Roots

by Arkadiusz Artyszak, Dariusz Gozdowski and Alicja Siuda

Plants 2021, 10(2), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020370 - 15 Feb 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2909

Abstract

Water shortage and drought are a growing problem in Europe. Therefore, effective methods for limiting its effects are necessary. At the same time, the “field to fork” strategy adopted by the European Commission aims to achieve a significant reduction in the use of [...] Read more.

Water shortage and drought are a growing problem in Europe. Therefore, effective methods for limiting its effects are necessary. At the same time, the “field to fork” strategy adopted by the European Commission aims to achieve a significant reduction in the use of plant protection products and fertilizers in the European Union. In an experiment conducted in 2018–2020, the effect of the method of foliar fertilization containing silicon and potassium on the yield and technological quality of sugar beet roots was assessed. The fertilizer was used in seven combinations, differing in the number and time of application. The best results were obtained by treating plants during drought stress. The better soil moisture for the plants, the smaller the pure sugar yield increase was observed. It is difficult to clearly state which combination of silicon and potassium foliar application is optimal, as their effects do not differ greatly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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Review

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36 pages, 3090 KiB

Open AccessReview

Silicon in the Soil–Plant Continuum: Intricate Feedback Mechanisms within Ecosystems

by Ofir Katz, Daniel Puppe, Danuta Kaczorek, Nagabovanalli B. Prakash and Jörg Schaller

Plants 2021, 10(4), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040652 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 7973

Abstract

Plants’ ability to take up silicon from the soil, accumulate it within their tissues and then reincorporate it into the soil through litter creates an intricate network of feedback mechanisms in ecosystems. Here, we provide a concise review of silicon’s roles in soil [...] Read more.

Plants’ ability to take up silicon from the soil, accumulate it within their tissues and then reincorporate it into the soil through litter creates an intricate network of feedback mechanisms in ecosystems. Here, we provide a concise review of silicon’s roles in soil chemistry and physics and in plant physiology and ecology, focusing on the processes that form these feedback mechanisms. Through this review and analysis, we demonstrate how this feedback network drives ecosystem processes and affects ecosystem functioning. Consequently, we show that Si uptake and accumulation by plants is involved in several ecosystem services like soil appropriation, biomass supply, and carbon sequestration. Considering the demand for food of an increasing global population and the challenges of climate change, a detailed understanding of the underlying processes of these ecosystem services is of prime importance. Silicon and its role in ecosystem functioning and services thus should be the main focus of future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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33 pages, 4287 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Silicon Cycling in Soils Revisited

by Jörg Schaller, Daniel Puppe, Danuta Kaczorek, Ruth Ellerbrock and Michael Sommer

Plants 2021, 10(2), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020295 - 04 Feb 2021

Cited by 110 | Viewed by 7498

Abstract

Silicon (Si) speciation and availability in soils is highly important for ecosystem functioning, because Si is a beneficial element for plant growth. Si chemistry is highly complex compared to other elements in soils, because Si reaction rates are relatively slow and dependent on [...] Read more.

Silicon (Si) speciation and availability in soils is highly important for ecosystem functioning, because Si is a beneficial element for plant growth. Si chemistry is highly complex compared to other elements in soils, because Si reaction rates are relatively slow and dependent on Si species. Consequently, we review the occurrence of different Si species in soil solution and their changes by polymerization, depolymerization, and condensation in relation to important soil processes. We show that an argumentation based on thermodynamic endmembers of Si dependent processes, as currently done, is often difficult, because some reactions such as mineral crystallization require months to years (sometimes even centuries or millennia). Furthermore, we give an overview of Si reactions in soil solution and the predominance of certain solid compounds, which is a neglected but important parameter controlling the availability, reactivity, and function of Si in soils. We further discuss the drivers of soil Si cycling and how humans interfere with these processes. The soil Si cycle is of major importance for ecosystem functioning; therefore, a deeper understanding of drivers of Si cycling (e.g., predominant speciation), human disturbances and the implication for important soil properties (water storage, nutrient availability, and micro aggregate stability) is of fundamental relevance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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19 pages, 980 KiB

Open AccessReview

Interactive Role of Silicon and Plant–Rhizobacteria Mitigating Abiotic Stresses: A New Approach for Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change

by Krishan K. Verma, Xiu-Peng Song, Dong-Mei Li, Munna Singh, Vishnu D. Rajput, Mukesh Kumar Malviya, Tatiana Minkina, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Pratiksha Singh and Yang-Rui Li

Plants 2020, 9(9), 1055; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091055 - 19 Aug 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4753

Abstract

Abiotic stresses are the major constraints in agricultural crop production across the globe. The use of some plant–microbe interactions are established as an environment friendly way of enhancing crop productivity, and improving plant development and tolerance to abiotic stresses by direct or indirect [...] Read more.

Abiotic stresses are the major constraints in agricultural crop production across the globe. The use of some plant–microbe interactions are established as an environment friendly way of enhancing crop productivity, and improving plant development and tolerance to abiotic stresses by direct or indirect mechanisms. Silicon (Si) can also stimulate plant growth and mitigate environmental stresses, and it is not detrimental to plants and is devoid of environmental contamination even if applied in excess quantity. In the present review, we elaborate the interactive application of Si and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) as an ecologically sound practice to increase the plant growth rate in unfavorable situations, in the presence of abiotic stresses. Experiments investigating the combined use of Si and PGPRs on plants to cope with abiotic stresses can be helpful in the future for agricultural sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silicon in the Soil-Plant Continuum)

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