Review: The Functions of Phytoliths in Land Plants

Keutmann, Inga C.; Melzer, B; Seidel, Robin; Thomann, Ralf; Speck, Thomas

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9398-8_9

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(98 reference statements)

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“…A large turnover of Si was found to occur in terrestrial and semi aquatic ecosystems, with plants and plant litter decomposition being the driving force234. In plants a variety of functions are attributed to Si, especially to its amorphous forms, like promotion of biomass production or defense against various forms of biotic and abiotic stress567. Generally, graminaceous plants such as grasses are known to accumulate high amounts of Si in their aboveground tissues when compared to other plants891011.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon availability modifies nutrient use efficiency and content, C:N:P stoichiometry, and productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Neu

Schaller

Dudel

2017

Sci Rep

214

148

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Silicon (Si) is known as beneficial element for graminaceous plants. The importance of Si for plant functioning of cereals was recently emphasized. However, about the effect of Si availability on biomass production, grain yield, nutrient status and nutrient use efficiency for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), as one of the most important crop plants worldwide, less is known so far. Consequently, we assessed the effect of a broad range of supply levels of amorphous SiO2 on wheat plant performance. Our results revealed that Si is readily taken up and accumulated basically in aboveground vegetative organs. Carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) status of plants were altered in response to varying Si supply. In bulk straw biomass C concentration decreased with increasing Si supply, while P concentration increased from slight limitation towards optimal nutrition. Thereby, aboveground biomass production increased at low to medium supply levels of silica whereas grain yield increased at medium supply level only. Nutrient use efficiency was improved by Si insofar that biomass production was enhanced at constant nitrogen (N) status of substrate and plants. Consequently, our findings imply fundamental influences of Si on C turnover, P availability and nitrogen use efficiency for wheat as a major staple crop.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon availability modifies nutrient use efficiency and content, C:N:P stoichiometry, and productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Neu

Schaller

Dudel

2017

Sci Rep

214

148

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“…Under water deficit stress, phytolith is believed to serve as the physical barrier to prevent the loss of water by transpiration (Amjad Nawaz et al, 2019;Keutmann et al, 2015). Matoh and Takahashi (1991) proved that phytolith deposited in the leaf cuticle of rice decreases cuticle transpiration (Figure 1).…”

Section: The Effects Of Silicon On Water Balance In Leavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Silica phytolith is the solid, amorphous, hydrated silica (SiO 2 *nH 2 O). Mechanical stability, growth promotion, or defense against various biotic and abiotic stresses are the main functions of phytolith (Keutmann et al, 2015). Under water deficit stress, phytolith is believed to serve as the physical barrier to prevent the loss of water by transpiration (Amjad Nawaz et al, 2019; Keutmann et al, 2015).…”

Section: The Effects Of Silicon On Water Balance In Leavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mechanical stability, growth promotion, or defense against various biotic and abiotic stresses are the main functions of phytolith (Keutmann et al, 2015). Under water deficit stress, phytolith is believed to serve as the physical barrier to prevent the loss of water by transpiration (Amjad Nawaz et al, 2019; Keutmann et al, 2015). Matoh and Takahashi (1991) proved that phytolith deposited in the leaf cuticle of rice decreases cuticle transpiration (Figure 1).…”

Section: The Effects Of Silicon On Water Balance In Leavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to their multifunction, silica phytoliths attract the interest of chemists, agronomists, geologists, paleontologists, and archeologists. (Keutmann et al, 2015;Ma & Takahashi, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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The mechanisms of silicon on maintaining water balance under water deficit stress

Wang

Hou

Zhang

et al. 2021

Physiologia Plantarum

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Water deficit stress severely threatens crop yield and numerous reports have shown silicon could enhance plants resistance to water deficit. One of the most important mechanisms is that silicon maintains the water balance. In this review, we summarized advanced research to elucidate the effect of silicon on plant water transport processes, including leaf water loss, vessel water transport, and root water uptake. In leaves, the deposition of silica phytolith on cuticle and stomata decreases transpirational water loss under water deficit stress. However, accumulating evidence suggest that silicon maintaining leaf water content is not through reducing water loss, but through osmotic adjustments, enhancing water transport and uptake. Enhancement of stem water transport efficiency by silicon is due to silica phytolith depositing in the cell wall of vessel tubes and pits, which support it avoiding to collapse and embolism, respectively. The improvement of root water uptake capacity by silicon acts as a key role in maintaining water balance. The underlying mechanisms include (i) enlargement of the root water uptake area, (ii) improvement of the water driving force, (iii) the prevention of water loss from root to soil, and (iv) the up-regulation of aquaporin activity. This review provides three simple models to understand the mechanism of silicon on water balance and highlights the future research area.

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Leaf surfaces and neolithization - the case of Arundo donax L

et al. 2022

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Arundo donax L. (Arundinoideae subfamily, Poaceae family) is a sub-tropical and temperate climate reed that grows in arid and semi-arid environmental conditions, from eastern China to the Mediterranean basin, suggesting potential adaptations at the epicuticular level. A thorough physical-chemical examination of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of A. donax leaf was performed herein in an attempt to track such chemophenetic adaptations. This sort of approach is of the utmost importance for the current debate about the hypothetical invasiveness of this species in the Mediterranean basin versus its natural colonization along the Plio-Pleistocene period. We concluded that the leaf surfaces contain, apart from stomata, prickles, and long, thin trichomes, and silicon-rich tetralobate phytolits. Chemically, the dominating elements in the leaf ashes are oxygen and potassium; minor amounts of calcium, silicon, magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur, and chlorine were also detected. In both surfaces the epicuticular waxes (whose density is higher in the adaxial surface than in the abaxial surface) form randomly orientated platelets, with irregular shape and variable size, and aggregated rodlets with variable diameter around the stomata. In the case of green mature leaves, the dominating organic compounds of the epicuticular waxes of both surfaces are triterpenoids. Both surfaces feature identical hydrophobic behaviour, and exhibit the same total transmittance, total reflectance, and absorption of incident light. The above findings suggest easy growth of the plant, remarkable epidermic robustness of the leaf, and control of water loss. These chemophenetic characteristics and human influence support a neolithization process of this species along the Mediterranean basin.

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Review: The Functions of Phytoliths in Land Plants

Cited by 4 publications

References 67 publications

Silicon availability modifies nutrient use efficiency and content, C:N:P stoichiometry, and productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Silicon availability modifies nutrient use efficiency and content, C:N:P stoichiometry, and productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The mechanisms of silicon on maintaining water balance under water deficit stress

Leaf surfaces and neolithization - the case of Arundo donax L

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