Silicon Deposition in Leaf Trichomes of Cucurbitaceae Horticultural Plants: A Short Report

Jun Abe

doi:10.4236/ajps.2019.103034

Abstract

Silicon deposition in leaf trichome of six horticultural Cucurbitaceae species, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), melon (Cucumis melo), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida) was observed by an X-ray microanalyzer coupled with an environmental scanning electron microscope. The elements that presented in the surface of three or four leaves of the individual species were detected and mapped by the X-ray microanalyzer. In leaves of cucumber, pumpkin, and melon, high accumulation of silicon was detected in cells surrounding the bases of the trichome hair and the hair itself deposited calcium. On the other hand, in sponge gourd and bottle gourd, high accumulation of silicon was detected only in the hair. In watermelon leaves, silicon deposited both in the hair and in cells surrounding the bases of the hair. Thus, horticultural Cucurbitaceae plants have interspecific variation in the pattern of silicon deposition in leaf trichomes.

Highlights

Silicon (Si) has not been recognized as an essential nutrient for many plants, some plants accumulate substantial amount of silicon in specific tissues of leaf and root [1]
Silicon deposition in leaf trichome of six horticultural Cucurbitaceae species, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), melon (Cucumis melo), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida) was observed by an X-ray microanalyzer coupled with an environmental scanning electron microscope
Silicon was highly accumulated in cells surrounding the bases of the trichome hair (Figure 1(a)) as it was reported by previous studies [14] [15]

Summary

Introduction

Silicon (Si) has not been recognized as an essential nutrient for many plants, some plants (such as Poaceae plants) accumulate substantial amount of silicon in specific tissues of leaf and root [1]. J. Abe bute to intensity of leaf and root, tolerance to various types of environmental stresses and protection against insects and diseases [1] [6] [7] [8] [9]. Examination of silicon deposition in leaf surface in horticulturally important species may contribute to understand the role of silicon in tolerance and resistance of the species to environmental stresses and diseases. Leaf surface of five Cucurbitaceae species was observed by an environmental scanning electron microscope and the silicon accumulation was analyzed by an X-ray microanalyzer to compare the silicon deposition patterns in and around leaf trichome hair with cucumber plants

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusion