Abstract
Silicon (Si) is an abundant element which, when supplied to plants, confers increased vigor and resistance to exogenous stresses, as well as enhanced stem mechanical strength. Plant species vary in their ability to take Si up and to accumulate it under the form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) in their tissues: emblematic of this is the example of Poales, among which there is rice, a high Si accumulator. Monocots usually accumulate more Si than dicots; however, the impact that Si has on dicots, notably on economically important dicots, is a subject requiring further study and scientific efforts. In this review, we discuss the impact that Si has on bast fibre-producing plants, because of the potential importance that this element has in sustainable agriculture practices and in light of the great economic value of fibre crops in fostering a bio-economy. We discuss the data already available in the literature, as well as our own research on textile hemp. In particular, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of Si under heavy metal stress, by showing an increase in the leaf fresh weight under growth on Cd 20 µM. Additionally, we propose an effect of Si on bast fibre growth, by suggesting an action on the endogenous phytohormone levels and a mechanical role involved in the resistance to the turgor pressure during elongation. We conclude our survey with a description of the industrial and agricultural uses of Si-enriched plant biomass, where woody fibres are included in the survey.
Highlights
Si is the second most abundant element in soils and can be found in noticeable concentration in many terrestrial plants [1,2]
In elongating hemp bast fibres, transcripts related to the indole glucosinolate metabolic process were upregulated
We proposed that indole glucosinolate synthesis may be related to the wound hormone jasmonic acid (JA) and may regulate the phase of intrusive growth [37]
Summary
Si is the second most abundant element in soils and can be found in noticeable concentration in many terrestrial plants [1,2]. Plant species vary in their ability to take up and accumulate Si as silicon dioxide (SiO2 ) in their tissues. Depending on this characteristic, plants are classified as excluders, intermediate types, or accumulators [3,4]. Si deposition occurs mainly as phytoliths (SiO2 ·nH2 O) [7,11] It acts as a physical barrier and improves plant resistance to pathogens and insects, by increasing the rigidity and abrasiveness of plant tissues, thereby reducing their digestibility to herbivores [11,12]. Plants 2017, 6, 37 resistance by thickening leaves, which is beneficial to reduce the transpirational loss of water [15], or by increasing cell wall stability in stressed plants [16]. There is an increasing interest in deciphering the underlying processes leading to cell wall structural modification and in furthering our understanding of the impact of Si on some plants, such as fibre crops, which are cultivated for their biomass
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