Silicon Uptake Research Articles

Advances in The Uptake and Translocation of Silicon in Plants*

Silicon exerts beneficial effects on plant growth and development by alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses.The uptake and translocation of Si in plants is mediated by Si transporters,recently,several genes encoding Si transporters have been identified from rice,barley and maize.OsLsi shows polar localization in root tissues,OsLsi1 is localized at the plasma membrane of both exodermis and endodermis on the distal side in rice roots,where Casparian strips exist;OsLsi2 is localized on the proximal side of the same cells.Therefore,OsLsi1 is responsible for transport of Si from the external solution to the root cells,whereas OsLsi2 is an efflux transporter responsible for the transport of Si from the exodermal cells to the apoplast of aerenchyma;Si is transported into the stele by OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 coordination and then translocated to the shoot by transpirational flow through the xylem.OsLsi6 was observed in the xylem parenchyma cells that were adjacent to vessels in both leaf sheaths and leaf blades besides roots,which is responsible for the export of Si from the xylem and for the subsequent distribution of Si.In maize and barley,Si is taken up from the external solution by the influx transporter(ZmLsi1/HvLsi1) localized on the distal side of cells in the epidermis and cortex layer,and then transferred to the endodermis through the symplastic pathway.At the endodermis,Si is released by an active Si efflux transporter(ZmLsi2/HvLsi2) to the stele.In addition,ZmLsi6 has the similar the localization and transport activity with OsLsi6 and might have similar functions,however,the Lsi6 in barley is not identified until now.More researches in the mechanism of Si transport in plant are needed further.

Proteomic analysis of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana upon exposure to benzo(a)pyrene

BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants ubiquitously distributed. They are generated by incomplete combustion of organic materials such as wood or fossil fuels. Due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic effects and to their wide distribution in the environment, these pollutants pose many concerns to researchers and regulators. In our laboratories we investigated the effect of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) exposure in the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana, which has become an important model organism in aquatic toxicology studies.ResultsIn order to investigate the mechanism of action of PAHs, we exposed the diatoms for 24 h to 36.45 μg/L of BaP which inhibits the growth by about 30%, and analysed the relative protein expression profile by a quantitative proteomics approach based on iTRAQ labels. The proteomics profile analysis showed that around 10% of the identified proteins were regulated and one fourth of them confirmed the gene expression changes seen by DNA microarray. Particularly interesting was the down regulation of the Silicon transporter 1 (SIT1), an enzyme that is responsible for the uptake of silicon from the media into the diatom cells. Regulation of SIT1 upon BaP treatment was also confirmed at the gene expression level.ConclusionsThe potential use of the regulated proteins found in this study as early indicators of environmental exposure to PAHs is discussed. In particular, SIT1 is considered a promising biomarker and SIT1 expression changes were confirmed also when the diatoms were exposed to field samples, e.g. marine surface sediments contaminated by PAHs.

Deficiency in Silicon Uptake Affects Cytological, Physiological, and Biochemical Events in the Rice–Bipolaris oryzae Interaction

This study investigated how a defect in the active uptake of silicon (Si) affects rice resistance to brown spot. Plants from a rice mutant (low silicon 1 [lsi1]) and its wild-type counterpart (cv. Oochikara), growing in hydroponic culture with (+Si; 2 mM) or without (-Si) Si, were inoculated with Bipolaris oryzae. Si concentration in leaf tissue of cv. Oochikara and the lsi1 mutant increased by 381 and 263%, respectively, for the +Si treatment compared with the -Si treatment. The incubation period was 6 h longer in the presence of Si. The area under brown spot progress curve for plants from cv. Oochikara and the lsi1 mutant was reduced 81 and 50%, respectively, in the presence of Si. The reduced number of brown epidermal cells on leaves from cv. Oochikara and the lsi1 mutant supplied with Si contributed to the lower lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage. The concentration of total soluble phenolics in cv. Oochikara supplied with Si (values of 4.2 to 15.4 μg g(-1) fresh weight) was greater compared with plants not supplied with Si (values of 1.9 to 11.5 μg g(-1) fresh weight). The concentration of lignin was also important to the resistance of cv. Oochikara and the lsi1 mutant. Polyphenoloxidase activity did not contribute to the resistance of cv. Oochikara and the lsi1 mutant to brown spot, regardless of Si supply. Peroxidase and chitinase activities were higher in cv. Oochikara and the lsi1 mutant supplied with Si. These results bring novel evidence of the involvement of Si in a more complex defense mechanism than simply the formation of a physical barrier to avoid or delay fungal penetration.

Silicon uptake and supply during a Southern Ocean iron fertilization experiment (EIFEX) tracked by Si isotopes

We studied the evolution of the isotopic composition of dissolved Si (δ30SiDSi) and biogenic Si (δ30SiBSi) during a diatom bloom induced by an iron fertilization experiment in a Southern Ocean (SO) eddy. Dissolved Si (DSi) consumption was clearly boosted as a result of iron addition. We estimate an apparent Si isotopic fractionation factor of 21.36% ± 0.11%, not significantly different from estimates based on in vitro incubations under Fe‐replete conditions and in agreement with previous SO studies under Fe‐depleted conditions. The temporal variations of the δ30SiSi are best reconstructed considering the fertilized surface waters as an open system, i.e., DSi is continuously supplied from the winter water. Using vertical diffusivity, we estimate a supply of 6.7 ± 1.2 mmol Si m−2 d−1 representing 30% ± 5% of total DSi demand. We estimate biogenic silica (BSi) production at 22.1 ± 1.8 mmol Si m−2 d−1, similar to BSi production under natural conditions in the SO. The DSi use preceding the start of the fertilization was conservatively estimated at 49% ± 4%, and as a result of the Fe‐fertilization, a further 31% ± 4% of the initial DSi reservoir was consumed. The BSi export was estimated to be 17.4 ± 1.7 mmol Si m−2 d−1. Our results suggest that for this study three main processes were acting significantly on δ30SiSi signatures, biological uptake, Si supply from subsurface, and export of BSi, and that the magnitude of production and export in such a Fe‐fertilized experiment are similar to those for natural diatom blooms occurring in the Southern Ocean.

Absorção de silício, produtividade e incidência de Diatraea saccharalis em cultivares de cana-de-açúcar

A variabilidade na acumulação de silício entre cultivares de cana-de-açúcar pode estar associada à produtividade e incidência da broca-da-cana-de-açúcar, Diatraea saccharalis, mas são escassas as informações sobre o tema. Assim, o objetivo foi avaliar a absorção de Si pelas folhas diagnósticas e acúmulo na parte aérea e sua relação com produtividade, qualidade e infestação da broca-da-cana-de-açúcar em cultivares de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Tietê (SP), no período de março de 2007 a julho de 2008, em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições e nove cultivares (IAC 86 2480, IAC 91 1099, IAC 87 3396, IACSP 94 4004, IACSP 93 6006, IACSP 93 3046, IACSP 94 2094, IACSP 94 2101, RB 86 7515). A produtividade aos 16 meses foi superior a 100 t ha-1, sendo maior para IAC 91-1099 e RB 86-7515, com maior altura e diâmetro respectivamente. A cultivar IAC 91-1099 propiciou maior teor de açúcares e menor de fibra. Não houve diferença no Si das folhas aos seis meses e, aos oito meses, 'IACSP 93-3046', 'IACSP 93-6006' e 'IAC 91-1099' proporcionaram maiores valores, superiores a 10 g kg-1 de Si. Maiores acúmulos de Si nas folhas foram verificados em 'IAC 91-1099' aos 10, 14 e 16 meses e, no colmo, para 'RB 86-7515' e 'IAC 91-1099' aos 10 e 12 meses. A análise das folhas diagnósticas aos seis meses e da planta inteira colhida aos 16 meses foi eficiente para caracterizar as diferenças na absorção de silício entre as cultivares. Não houve relação entre Si absorvido e produtividade e infestação da broca, que foi reduzida com o aumento do teor de fibra das cultivares.

Compartmental Analysis Suggests Macropinocytosis at the Onset of Diatom Valve Formation

During valve formation of the siliceous frustules of diatoms, bulk uptake of silicic acid and its subsequent transport through the cell is required before it can be deposited in the silica deposition vesicle (SDV). It has been assumed that transport takes place via silicon transporters (SITs), but if that were the case a control mechanism would have to exist for stabilization of the large amounts of reactive silicon species during their passage through the cell on the way to the SDV. There is, however, no reason to assume that classical silica chemistry does not apply at elevated levels of silicic acid, and therefore autopolymerization could reasonably be expected to occur. In order to find alternative ways of Si transport that correspond with the high speed of valve formation at the earliest stages of cell division we followed 31Si(OH)4 uptake in synchronously dividing cells of the diatoms Coscinodiscus wailesii, Navicula pelliculosa, N. salinarum, and Pleurosira laevis. The results were related to systematically derived mathematical models for a compartmental analysis of 5 possible uptake/transport pathways, including one involving SITs and one involving (macro)pinocytosis-mediated uptake from the extracellular environment. Our study indicates that the uptake of radioactive silicic acid matches best with the model that describes macropinocytosis-mediated silicon uptake. This process is well in line with the observed ‘surge uptake’ at the start of valve formation when the demand for silicon is high; it infers that in diatoms a pathway of uptake and transport exists in which SITs are not involved.

Response to and recovery from nitrogen and silicon starvation in Thalassiosira weissflogii: growth rates, nutrient uptake and C, Si and N content per cell

Understanding the response of diatoms to nutrient stress is important, both on its own terms and for the accurate portrayal of this key group of organisms in ecological and biogeochemical models. We therefore examined the growth and elemental composition of Thalassiosira weissflogii grown into nutrient starvation and then recovery following nutrient readdition. During nitrate starvation, T. weissflogii continued dividing, producing cells with low quotas of N, P, and Si. Following nitrate readdition, cells immediately began taking up nitrate at relatively low net cell specific rates and to rebuild cellular stores of all nutrients. More than 30 hours elapsed before there was a visible increase in cell numbers. Cellular C/N and C/P ratios remained high and N/P ratios remained low for the remaining 45 hours of the experiment. Cells in the silicon starvation experiment abruptly ceased dividing at 1-3 µM dissolved silicon (DSi) and immediately resumed dividing upon resupply of DSi. Growth rates and net cell specific rates of silicon uptake recovered to maximal values within 3 to 7 hours, but net cell specific rates of nitrate and phosphate never did, driving a decline in N and P per cell during the whole experiment. Ratios of C/N and N/P remained close to Redfield values. While cell specific rates of silicon uptake scaled strongly with DSi concentrations during all portions of the silicon starvation experiment, during the nitrogen starvation experiment, they were directly related to cellular growth rates, suggesting that during nitrate starvation, silicon acquisition was acting as the rate limiting step for cell division.

Contrasting silicon uptakes by coniferous trees: a hydroponic experiment on young seedlings

Silicon uptake by terrestrial plants impacts the Si land-ocean fluxes, therefore inducing significant modifications for biogeochemical cycle of Si. Understanding the mechanisms that control Si uptakes by forest vegetation is of great interest for the study of the global Si cycle as the world’s total forest area corresponds to about 30% of the land area. Our study compares Si uptake in controlled conditions by two coniferous species (Pseudotsuga menziensii and Pinus nigra) exhibiting contrasting Si uptake in the field. For this purpose, seedlings were grown for 11 weeks under controlled conditions in hydroponics with different Si concentrations (0.2 to 1.6 mM) in nutrient solutions. The Si concentrations were greater in Douglas fir leaves as compared with Black pine leaves and increased, depending on the Si concentration in the nutrient solution. According to mass balance, Si absorption seems to have been driven by passive Si transport at 0.2 mM Si (realistic concentration for forest soil solutions) and was rejective at higher Si concentrations in nutrient solution for both species. For this reason, we attributed the higher Si concentration in Douglas fir leaves to the greater cumulative transpiration of these seedlings. We suggest that contrasting transpiration rates may also play a key role in controlling Si accumulation in leaves at field scale.

Oceanic distribution of inorganic germanium relative to silicon: Germanium discrimination by diatoms

Seventeen inorganic germanium and silicon concentration profiles collected from the Atlantic, southwest Pacific, and Southern oceans are presented. A plot of germanium concentration versus silicon concentration produced a near‐linear line with a slope of 0.760 × 10−6 (±0.004) and an intercept of 1.27 (±0.24) pmol L−1 (r2 = 0.993, p < 0.001). When the germanium‐to‐silicon ratios (Ge/Si) were plotted versus depth and/or silicon concentrations, higher values are observed in surface waters (low in silicon) and decreased with depth (high in silicon). Germanium‐to‐silicon ratios in diatoms (0.608–1.03 × 10−6) and coupled seawater samples (0.471–7.46 × 10−6) collected from the Southern Ocean are also presented and show clear evidence for Ge/Si fractionation between the water and opal phases. Using a 10 box model (based on PANDORA), Ge/Si fractionation was modeled using three assumptions: (1) no fractionation, (2) fractionation using a constant distribution coefficient (KD) between the water and solid phase, and (3) fractionation simulated using Michaelis‐Menten uptake kinetics for germanium and silicon via the silicon uptake system. Model runs indicated that only Ge/Si fractionation based on differences in the Michaelis‐Menten uptake kinetics for germanium and silicon can adequately describe the data. The model output using this fractionation process produced a near linear line with a slope of 0.76 × 10−6 and an intercept of 0.92 (±0.28) pmol L−1, thus reflecting the oceanic data set. This result indicates that Ge/Si fractionation in the global ocean occurs as a result of subtle differences in the uptake of germanium and silicon via diatoms in surface waters.

Arsenic uptake is suppressed in a rice mutant defective in silicon uptake

AbstractPossible mechanisms of the effects of silicon (Si) on arsenic (As) uptake were explored using a wild‐type rice and its low‐Si mutant (lsi1). Hydroponic experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of internal and external Si on the As accumulation and uptake by rice in excised roots (28 d–old seedlings) and xylem sap (61 d–old plants). The presence of Si significantly decreased the As concentrations in both shoots and roots of the wild type but not in the mutant with 13.3 μM–arsenite or 10/20 μM–arsenate treatments. The Si‐defective mutant rice (lsi1) also showed a significant reduction in arsenite or arsenate uptake. Moreover, As concentrations in xylem sap of the wild type were reduced by 51% with 1 mM Si– and 15 μM–arsenate treatments, while Si had no effect on As concentrations in the xylem sap of the mutant. Arsenic‐species analysis further indicated that the addition of 1 mM Si significantly decreased As(III) concentrations but had little effect on As(V) concentrations in the xylem sap of the wild type with 15 μM–arsenate treatments. These results indicated that external Si‐mediated reduction in arsenite uptake by rice is due to the direct competition between Si and arsenite during uptake. This is because both share the same influx transporter Lsi1. In addition, internal Si‐mediated reduction in arsenite uptake by rice is due to competition of the Si/arsenite efflux transporter Lsi2 during the As(III)‐transportation process. Silicon also inhibited arsenate uptake by rice. It is proposed that this could actually be due not to the inhibition of arsenate uptake per se but rather the inhibition of arsenite transformed from arsenate, either in the external solution or in rice roots.

Tree species impact the terrestrial cycle of silicon through various uptakes

The quantification of silicon (Si) uptake by tree species is a mandatory step to study the role of forest vegetations in the global cycle of Si. Forest tree species can impact the hydrological output of dissolved Si (DSi) through root induced weathering of silicates but also through Si uptake and restitution via litterfall. Here, monospecific stands of Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Black pine, European beech and oak established in identical soil and climate conditions were used to quantify Si uptake, immobilization and restitution. We measured the Si contents in various compartments of the soil-tree system and we further studied the impact of the recycling of Si by forest trees on the DSi pool. Si is mainly accumulated in leaves and needles in comparison with other tree compartments (branches, stembark and stemwood). The immobilization of Si in tree biomass represents less than 15% of the total Si uptake. Annual Si uptake by oak and European beech stands is 18.5 and 23.3 kg ha(-1) year(-1), respectively. Black pine has a very low annual Si uptake (2.3 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) in comparison with Douglas fir (30.6 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) and Norway spruce (43.5 kg ha(-1) year(-1)). The recycling of Si by forest trees plays a major role in the continental Si cycle since tree species greatly influence the uptake and restitution of Si. Moreover, we remark that the annual tree uptake is negatively correlated with the annual DSi output at 60 cm depth. The land-ocean fluxes of DSi are certainly influenced by geochemical processes such as weathering of primary minerals and formation of secondary minerals but also by biological processes such as root uptake.

Analytical studies of silica biomineralization: towards an understanding of silica processing by diatoms

Diatoms have continued to attract research interest over a long time. One important reason for this research interest is the amazingly beautiful microstructured and nanostructured patterning of the silica-based diatom cell walls. These materials become increasingly important from the materials science point of view. However, many aspects of diatom cell wall formation and patterning are still not fully understood. The present minireview article summarizes our recent knowledge especially with respect to two major topics related to diatom cell wall formation and patterning: (1) uptake and metabolism of silicon by living diatom cells and (2) understanding of the genetic control of cell wall formation. Analytical techniques as well as recent results concerning these two topics are highlighted in this review.

Effects of active silicon uptake by rice on 29Si fractionation in various plant parts

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) accumulates large amounts of silicon which improves its growth and health due to enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Silicon uptake and loading to xylem in rice are predominantly active processes performed by transporters encoded by the recently identified genes Lsi1 (Si influx transporter gene) and Lsi2 (Si efflux transporter gene). Silicon deposition in rice during translocation to upper plant tissues is known to discriminate against the heavier isotopes (29)Si and (30)Si, resulting in isotope fractionation within the plant. We analyzed straw and husk samples of rice mutants defective in Lsi1, Lsi2 or both for silicon content and delta(29)Si using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and compared these results with those for the corresponding wild-type varieties (WT). The silicon content was higher in husk than in straw. All the mutant rice lines showed clearly lower silicon content than the WT lines (4-23% Si of WT). The delta(29)Si was lower in straw and husk for the uptake defective mutant (lsi1) than for WT, albeit delta(29)Si was 0.3 per thousand higher in husk than in straw in both lines. The effect of defective efflux (lsi2) differed for straw and husk with higher delta(29)Si in straw, but lower delta(29)Si in husk while WT showed similar delta(29)Si in both fractions. These initial results show the potential of Si isotopes to enlighten the influence of active uptake on translocation and deposition processes in the plant.

Identification and Characterization of Maize and Barley Lsi2-Like Silicon Efflux Transporters Reveals a Distinct Silicon Uptake System from That in Rice

Silicon (Si) uptake has been extensively examined in rice (Oryza sativa), but it is poorly understood in other gramineous crops. We identified Low Silicon Rice 2 (Lsi2)-like Si efflux transporters from two important gramineous crops: maize (Zea mays) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). Both maize and barley Lsi2 expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes showed Si efflux transport activity. Furthermore, barley Lsi2 was able to recover Si uptake in a rice mutant defective in Si efflux. Maize and barley Lsi2 were only expressed in the roots. Expression of maize and barley Lsi2 was downregulated in response to exogenously applied Si. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the ability of roots to absorb Si and the expression levels of Lsi2 in eight barley cultivars, suggesting that Lsi2 is a key Si transporter in barley. Immunostaining showed that maize and barley Lsi2 localized only at the endodermis, with no polarity. Protein gel blot analysis indicated that maize and barley Lsi2 localized on the plasma membrane. The unique features of maize and barley Si influx and efflux transporters, including their cell-type specificity and the lack of polarity of their localization in Lsi2, indicate that these crops have a different Si uptake system from that in rice.

Dietary silicon intake in Belgium: Sources, availability from foods, and human serum levels

The dietary intake of silicon by using the duplicate portion sampling technique of 24 hour-meals during 7 consecutive days is estimated. Since plant-based foods are major sources of silicon the elemental content is determined in various vegetarian foodstuffs commercially available in Belgium. Mean silicon intake from the 24-hour duplicate meals consumed daily by nearly 2000 persons was 18.6 ± 8.5 mg/day. The major food sources were unrefined grains of high fibre content, cereal products and root vegetables. For vegetarian foods rice and barley revealed high silicon levels. Very high serum concentrations in newborns and concomittant low levels in the mothers indicated a homeostatic mechanism in humans. Besides the dietary intake, serum silicon levels of various population groups support the concept of essentiality of the element. An in vitro dialysability of the element in a simulated digestion procedure is used as a surrogate of silicon uptake. Silicon was readily available from foods but this correlated inversely with the elemental content. Serum silicon levels, as a function of age, gave indication of an important role of this element. In vitro availability study proved an inverse relation with the elemental content. A preliminary in vivo experiment confirmed that bioavailability is not only determined by concentration, but especially by the type of food and species under which silicon is present.

When to say when: can excessive drinking explain silicon uptake in diatoms?

Diatoms are the single most important drivers of the oceanic silicon biogeochemical cycle. Due to their considerable promise in nanotechnology, there is tremendous interest in understanding the mechanism by which they produce their intricately and ornately decorated silica-based cell wall. Although specific proteins have been implicated in some of the key steps of silicification, the exact mechanisms are poorly understood.Silicon transporters, identified in both diatoms and silicoflagellates, are hypothesized to mediate silicon uptake. Recently, macropinocytosis, the non-specific engulfment of extracellular fluid, was proposed as a more energetically favorable uptake mechanism, which can also explain the long-observed effect of salinity on frustule morphology. We explore the bioenergetic, membrane recycling, and vacuolar volume requirements that must be satisfied for pinocytosis-mediated silicon uptake. These calculated requirements contrast starkly with existing data on diatom physiology, uptake kinetics, growth, and ultrastructure, leading us to conclude that pinocytosis cannot be the primary mechanism of silicon uptake.

Aplicação do silício para aumentar a resistência do arroz à mancha-parda

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar fontes e métodos de aplicação de silício para aumentar sua absorção e a resistência de plantas de arroz (Oryza sativa), cultivar Metica-1, à mancha-parda (Bipolaris oryzae). Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em casa de vegetação, com solo Latossolo Vermelho. O delineamento experimental foi o completamente casualizado, com oito repetições. As fontes foram wollastonita (silicato de cálcio), aplicada via solo, e silicato de potássio e ácido monossilícico, aplicados via foliar. A aplicação de silício via solo resultou em aumento do teor foliar deste elemento e foi eficiente na indução de resistência à mancha-parda, diferentemente do observado com sua aplicação via foliar.

Efeito da escória, calcário e nitrogênio na absorção de silício e na produção do capim-marandu

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar os efeitos da escória comparados ao calcário na presença de nitrogênio quanto à disponibilidade de silício no solo, no crescimento e na absorção de Si pela Brachiaria brizantha. Desenvolveu-se o estudo em casa de vegetação, realizando dois cortes no capim-marandu. Os tratamentos utilizados foram duas fontes de material corretivo (escória de siderurgia de aciaria e calcário dolomítico), três doses de material corretivo (0,81; 1,61 e 3,22 g dm-3 de ECaCO3), três doses de nitrogênio (75, 150 e 300 mg dm-3) e uma testemunha absoluta. Determinou-se a concentração de Si "disponível" no solo, a massa seca e os teores de Si e de N na parte aérea da forrageira. Verificou-se que as doses de escória aumentaram as concentrações de Si no solo e na planta, diminuindo, porém, o acúmulo de N no capim. O calcário não afetou a absorção de Si no primeiro corte, porém, diminuiu no segundo. A adubação nitrogenada associada à escória incrementa a produção de massa seca e a absorção de Si pelo capim-marandu.

Defective Active Silicon Uptake Affects Some Components of Rice Resistance to Brown Spot

Rice is known to accumulate high amounts of silicon (Si) in plant tissue, which helps to decrease the intensity of many economically important rice diseases. Among these diseases, brown spot, caused by the fungus Bipolaris oryzae, is one of the most devastating because it negatively affects yield and grain quality. This study aimed to evaluate the importance of active root Si uptake in rice for controlling brown spot development. Some components of host resistance were evaluated in a rice mutant, low silicon 1 (lsi1), defective in active Si uptake, and its wild-type counterpart (cv. Oochikara). Plants were inoculated with B. oryzae after growing for 35 days in a hydroponic culture amended with 0 or 2 mMol Si. The components of host resistance evaluated were incubation period (IP), relative infection efficiency (RIE), area under brown spot progress curve (AUBSPC), final lesion size (FLS), rate of lesion expansion (r), and area under lesion expansion progress curve (AULEPC). Si content from both Oochikara and lsi1 in the +Si treatment increased in leaf tissue by 219 and 178%, respectively, over the nonamended controls. Plants from Oochikara had 112% more Si in leaf tissue than plants from lsi1. The IP of brown spot from Oochikara increased approximately 6 h in the presence of Si and the RIE, AUBSPC, FLS, r, and AULEPC were significantly reduced by 65, 75, 33, 36, and 35%, respectively. In the presence of Si, the IP increased 3 h for lsi1 but the RIE, AUBSPC, FLS, r, and AULEPC were reduced by only 40, 50, 12, 21, and 12%, respectively. The correlation between Si leaf content and IP was significantly positive but Si content was negatively correlated with RIE, AUBSPC, FLS, r, and AULEPC. Single degree-of-freedom contrasts showed that Oochikara and lsi1 supplied with Si were significantly different from those not supplied with Si for all components of resistance evaluated. This result showed that a reduced Si content in tissues of plants from lsi1 dramatically affected its basal level of resistance to brown spot, suggesting that a minimum Si concentration is needed. Consequently, the results of this study emphasized the importance of an active root Si uptake system for an increase in rice resistance to brown spot.

Evaluation of Silicon for Managing Powdery Mildew on Gerbera Daisy

ABSTRACT Powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum or Podosphaera fusca, is a common disease of gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) grown in Florida. Previous studies demonstrated that silicon reduces powdery mildew in Arabidopsis, cucumber, grape, strawberry, and wheat. In this study, two silicon (Si) sources, calcium silicate and potassium silicate, were evaluated for their ability to reduce powdery mildew in gerbera ‘Snow White’. The effect of calcium silicate in flower quality and the silicon uptake was also determined. Calcium silicate was not effective in reducing powdery mildew or in improving flower quality. The silicon content of gerberas treated with potassium silicate was slightly greater than that in plants treated with calcium silicate. However, the severity of powdery mildew was not reduced by potassium silicate. The results suggest that silicon may not be useful for managing this disease of gerbera daisy, possibly due to the low accumulation of silicon by gerbera leaves.