Selenium Hyperaccumulators Facilitate Selenium-Tolerant Neighbors via Phytoenrichment and Reduced Herbivory

Abstract

Enhanced soil Se levels around hyperaccumulators can facilitate growth of Se-tolerant plant species through reduced herbivory and enhanced growth. This study is the first to show facilitation via enrichment with a nonessential element. It is interesting that Se enrichment of hyperaccumulator neighbors may affect competition in two ways, by reducing growth of Se-sensitive neighbors while facilitating Se-tolerant neighbors. Via these competitive and facilitating effects, Se hyperaccumulators may affect plant community composition and, consequently, higher trophic levels.

Effect of Co-planted Purslane (Portulaca OleraceaL.) on Cd Accumulation by Sunflower in Different Levels of Cd Contamination and Salinity: A Pot Study

“…Local rhizosphere situations of metal accumulator weeds may change heavy metal uptake by adjacent crops in contaminated fields. Accumulator weeds not only enhance metal uptake by neighboring plants (El Mehdawi, Quinn and Pilon-Smits 2011;Koelbener et al 2008), but also their coexistence may alter heavy metal allocation in different crop organs. Therefore, changing metals allocation and consequently increasing their accumulation in edible parts of crops may potentially be a serious problem.…”

Effects of Iron Enrichment of Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis) Sprouts on Elemental Translocation, Concentrations of Proteins, Distribution of Fe-Metalloproteins, and Fe Bioaccessibility

“…Most plants absorb selenate due to its similarity to sulfate and metabolize it via the sulfur assimilation pathway. 39 In the literature, 40 it was observed different antagonistic reactions in the absorption and transport of Fe and Cu in plants. The mechanism of competition in elemental translocation between Cu and Fe is not well understood, but the similarity of the ionic radii of these elements has been suggested as Different letters between the elements in the same plant part indicate significant difference when compared to the control group (p < 0.05).…”

Ecology of nickel hyperaccumulator plants from ultramafic soils in Sabah (Malaysia)

“…chemistry parameters in the rooting zone (trace elements) 'Pseudo-total' microwave-assisted digestion with HNO that such plants may reduce the growth of sensitive neighbouring plants while facilitating tolerant plants with the latter experiencing less herbivory(El Mehdawi et al 2011a; El Mehdawi and Pilon-Smits 2011). These effects were linked to 'phyto-enrichment' (increase of Se in the surrounding soil) and hence causing elemental allelopathy(El Mehdawi et al 2011b).…”