Journal Article

Silicification patterns in wheat leaves related to ontogeny and soil silicon availability under field conditions

Schaller, Jörg, Katz, Ofir, Brunner, Eike, Puppe, Daniel, Paasch, Silvia, Kaczoreck, Danuta, Sommer, Michael, Busse, Jaqueline

2022

Overview

Purpose Silicon (Si) accumulation is an important strategy for plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress. Solid amorphous silica (ASi) deposits have been found to protect plants against different stressors (e.g., drought stress, ultraviolet radiation, herbivory, and pests). Most research on ASi deposits and their subsequent function is conducted under lab conditions. However, it is still unclear at which stage in ontogeny ASi deposits are developed to fulfill their function in plant protection under field conditions. Methods We combined SEM–EDX, NMR spectroscopy, and Si extractions to analyze silicification patterns in wheat leaves (blades and sheaths) in relation to ontogeny and soil Si availability. Results Silicification patterns in wheat leaves varied strongly in intensity between four different growth stages (tillering, stem extension, heading, and grain filling) and ASi deposition did not just continuously increase over the growing season. Newly formed leaf tissues showed relatively low Si concentrations, which increased over time. A high condensation state of the silica bodies and trichomes was found at all growth stages, referring to a high rigidity of the silica bodies. Conclusions Our results indicate that development of ASi deposits in wheat leaves depends on growth stage and Si availability. Detailed knowledge on solid ASi deposition in wheat during ontogeny and its consequences for stress mitigation is crucial for farmers worldwide.

• Publisher: Springer Science + Business Media,Springer International Publishing,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Agriculture / Analysis / Availability / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Carbohydrates / Deposition / Deposits / developmental stages / Drought / Ecology / Flowers & plants / Growing season / Growth / Growth stage / herbivores / Herbivory / Leaves / Life Sciences / Magnetic resonance spectroscopy / Methods / NMR / NMR spectroscopy / Nuclear magnetic resonance / Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy / Ontogeny / Pathogens / Pests / Plant Physiology / Plant protection / Plant Sciences / Plant tissues / Radiation / REGULAR ARTICLE / Rigidity / Scanning microscopy / Sheaths / Silica / Silicon / Silicon dioxide / soil / Soil Science & Conservation / Soils / tillering / Trichomes / Ultraviolet radiation / water stress / Wheat / X-ray spectroscopy