Leaf silicification provides herbivore defence regardless of the extensive impacts of water stress

Abstract

Altered precipitation patterns due to climate change are likely to impose water‐deficit stress in plants resulting in changes to specific leaf mass, leaf water content and chemical defences that may impact herbivorous arthropods. Grasses, in particular, accumulate large concentrations of silicon (Si) which provides physical defence against herbivores. Although Si uptake by plants may be affected by water availability, very few studies have investigated the combined effect of water‐deficit stress and Si on insect herbivore performance. We grew tall fescue Festuca arundinacea Schreb. hydroponically, with and without Si, and half of the plants were treated with 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) to impose osmotic stress. In all, 11 leaf traits (physiological, chemical and structural) were measured, silicified phytoliths on the leaf surface were visualised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with X‐ray mapping, and plants were exposed to a chewing insect herbivore [Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. Although osmotic stress was associated with changes to leaf physiological and chemical traits, including increased specific leaf mass, decreased leaf relative water content and increased leaf nitrogen (N), there was no significant effect on H. armigera relative growth rate (RGR). However, Si reduced RGR of H. armigera by 80%–98% while generating few changes to physiological and chemical leaf traits. Instead, the decline in RGR with Si was associated with changes to leaf structural traits, in particular, a greater density of silicified phytoliths on the leaf surface. Comparison of effect sizes indicated that leaf traits were primarily affected by osmotic stress but not Si, and that herbivore RGR was strongly negatively affected by Si but not osmotic stress. There was no interactive effect between the osmotic stress and Si treatments on H. armigera RGR or plant traits except for leaf nitrogen and phenolic concentrations. This study provides further support that Si may prove to be beneficial to plants against chewing insect pests and remains robust regardless of water‐deficit stress conditions. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Interactions between silicon and alkaloid defences in endophyte‐infected grasses and the consequences for a folivore

“…This may explain why we did not observe further declines in herbivore RGR with endophyte-induced increases in Si concentrations. Furthermore, utilising the same tall fescue cultivar (without endophytes), it has been recently demonstrated that reduced H. armigera RGR in Si-supplemented conditions was associated with the presence of Si-filled silica cells on the leaf surface (Vandegeer et al, 2021). These Si-filled silica cells and other structures (i.e.…”

Functions of silicon in plant drought stress responses

“…During their growth and development, plants are subjected to various environmental stresses. Si has been widely reported to enhance plant tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses, such as drought, salt, freezing, nutrient imbalance, radiation damage, metal toxicity, pests, and pathogens 5 , 21 – 26 . Drought, a recurring phenomenon with major impacts on both humans and natural ecosystems, is the most widespread climatic extreme that hinders primarily crop growth and productivity 27 .…”

Plasticity of plant silicon and nitrogen concentrations in response to water regimes varies across temperate grassland species

“…Gutbrodt et al, 2011; Huberty & Denno, 2004), yet results are conflicting, as increased and decreased feeding preferences were observed under drought (Gutbrodt et al, 2011; Huberty & Denno, 2004). Furthermore, the role of Si as well as waterlogging and flooding has been hardly considered in this context (but see Vandegeer et al, 2021). Our data suggest that, for forbs, highly species‐specific effects of Si on herbivory damage across water regimes, including waterlogging and flooding, are likely.…”

“…&Denno, 2004). Furthermore, the role of Si as well as waterlogging and flooding has been hardly considered in this context (but seeVandegeer et al, 2021). Our data suggest that, for forbs, highly species-specific effects of Si on herbivory damage across water regimes, including waterlogging and flooding, are likely.…”