Silicon accumulation and its effect on agricultural traits and anthracnose incidence in lignocellulosic sorghum

Abstract

Silicon (Si) accumulation in plants may reduce yield losses by inducing resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the Si accumulation by lignocellulosic sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in a greenhouse experiment, as well as the effect of its application on agricultural traits and on the induction of resistance against anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) in a field experiment. Sixteen sorghum genotypes were evaluated in a greenhouse for their response to silicate fertilization, receiving either 0 kg ha-1 or 261 kg ha-1 of Si, measuring the Si concentration in the sorghum shoots. Four genotypes that were responsive to Si fertilization were tested in the field, receiving either 0 kg ha-1 or 400 kg ha-1 of Si, being evaluated the Si concentration on the leaves, plant height, lodging percentage, anthracnose disease severity, grain yield and plant fresh and dry matter. The response of sorghum to Si fertilization in the greenhouse varied with the genotype and, of the 16 genotypes evaluated, 12 were responsive, accumulating more Si after the fertilization with this element. All four genotypes tested in the field were responsive, but no effect of Si was observed on grain yield or on sorghum fresh and dry matter production. However, the soil Si application reduced the plant lodging and anthracnose severity ratings in sorghum.

Silicon mediates the changes in physiological performance, nutrient uptake, root colonization morphology and secondary metabolite activity in rubber rootstock seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis) inoculated with Rigidoporus microporus

“…The variation could also be influenced by the experimental factors. However, previous studies showed that there can be a genotype influence in the capability of sorghum plants to absorb Si (de Lima et al, 2019).…”

The role of silicon in the mitigation of water stress in Eugenia myrcianthes Nied. seedlings

“…However, Si favored the photochemical stability of E. myrcianthes seedlings by increasing the synthesis of chlorophylls (Figure 2), especially at the stress phase. This element contributes to the plant architecture, leaving the leaves more erect and rigid (Tubana et al, 2016;Lima et al, 2019), favoring solar interception and reflecting a higher production of photoassimilates, increment in leaves, and photosynthetic area (leaf area) and biomass production (DMT), a result different from that of seedlings not treated with Si.…”

“…In the plant, Si provides higher structural rigidity of the tissue, favors osmotic adjustment (Yin et al, 2013;Lima et al, 2019), and increases photosynthetic and water use efficiency (Cooke and Leishman, 2016;Thorne et al, 2020;Cassol et al, 2021), regulating physiological processes. The beneficial effect of Si is associated with the fact that this element promotes an increase in photosynthetic pigments and gene and phytohormone expressions, in addition to the activity of antioxidant enzymes and amino acids capable of relieving or delaying oxidative stress (Chen et al, 2011;Parveen et al, 2019).…”

Efeito da adubação silicatada em hortaliças não convencionais

“…Diante da importância desse elemento, pesquisas com biofortificação agronômica de plantas têm sido amplamente realizadas nos últimos anos (SILVA et al 2013, MIRANDA et al 2018, LIMA et al 2019) e, apesar de não ser considerado essencial às plantas, a aplicação deste elemento pode propiciar vantagens às culturas.…”