Functional relationship between photosynthetic leaf gas exchange in response to silicon application and water stress mitigation in sugarcane

Abstract

Background Water stress is one of the serious abiotic stresses that negatively influences the growth, development and production of sugarcane in arid and semi-arid regions. However, silicon (Si) has been applied as an alleviation strategy subjected to environmental stresses. Methods In this experiment, Si was applied as soil irrigation in sugarcane plants to understand the mitigation effect of Si against harmful impact of water stress on photosynthetic leaf gas exchange. Results In the present study we primarily revealed the consequences of low soil moisture content, which affect overall plant performance of sugarcane significantly. Silicon application reduced the adverse effects of water stress by improving the net photosynthetic assimilation rate (Anet) 1.35–18.75%, stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) 3.26–21.57% and rate of transpiration (E) 1.16–17.83%. The mathematical models developed from the proposed hypothesis explained the functional relationships between photosynthetic responses of Si application and water stress mitigation. Conclusions Silicon application showed high ameliorative effects on photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to water stress and could be used for mitigating environmental stresses in other crops, too, in future.

Effects of Silicon and Silicon-Based Nanoparticles on Rhizosphere Microbiome, Plant Stress and Growth

“…Plants’ physiology, morphology and biochemistry are altered by abiotic stresses, resulting in reduced growth and economic output [ 18 , 93 , 104 ]. Thus, Si-NPs have been reported to serve indispensable roles by mitigating different abiotic stress-induced consequences [ 4 , 70 , 105 , 106 ]. For example, metal toxicity can be minimized and plant growth can be improved by the amendment of Si-rich materials in soils [ 18 , 93 ].…”

“…However, Si-NPs have been implicated in the synthesis of proteins and amino acids and in nutrient uptake; the strength and rigidity of plants are improved through Si-NP deposition in different plant organs [ 43 ]. Si-NPs increased the morphological and photosynthetic traits of plants via enhancing organic compound production, i.e., proteins, pigments and phenols, relative to bulk particles [ 4 , 12 ]. Under unfavorable environmental conditions, plants synthesize compatible solutes, i.e., glycine betaine and proline, to maintain the osmotic potential within plant cells.…”

“…Si is one of the most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust and around 70% of soil mass is made up of Si [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Exposure to Si imparts uncountable beneficial effects on various plants, especially in gramineous and cyperaceous plants [ 4 , 5 ]. In addition, it could alleviate the detrimental consequences of biotic and abiotic stresses that directly or indirectly increase the plants’ resistance to external adversities.…”

Integrated Application of Selenium and Silicon Enhances Growth and Anatomical Structure, Antioxidant Defense System and Yield of Wheat Grown in Salt-Stressed Soil

“…Despite the abundance of Si in the soil, most Si is formed as silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), which is not directly available for plant uptake. Si can improve plant growth, increase crop productivity, enhance photosynthesis efficiency and nitrogen fixation, and ameliorate antioxidant defense systems against various environmental stresses [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Moreover, the accumulation of Si in plant tissues can stimulate the production of phenolics and phytoalexins and can increase pathogen resistance [ 40 ].…”

Influence of Silicon on Biocontrol Strategies to Manage Biotic Stress for Crop Protection, Performance, and Improvement

“…The change in the pH extends the better availability of macro-and micro-nutrients included in Si fertilizers, which acquire stress resistance in plants. Silicon may increase plant performance, fruit yield, and grain quality [6][7][8][9]. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of plants to biotic and abiotic stressors are remarkably the same when Si is absorbed by the roots and transferred to the shoots by implying its role in defense signaling pathways [4,10].…”