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Generalized diagram of monocot relationships based on Chase et al. (2000), showing silica distribution. 

Generalized diagram of monocot relationships based on Chase et al. (2000), showing silica distribution. 

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Many plants take up soluble monosilicic acid from the soil. Some of these plants subsequently deposit it as cell inclusions of characteristic structure. This article describes the distribution and diversity of opaline silica bodies in monocotyledons in a phylogenetic framework, together with a review of techniques used for their examination, and th...

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... insects (Gueguen et al., 1975) and snails (Chevalier et al., 2001). It may even be used to study the diet of extinct species such as the moa (Kondo et al., 1994) and American mastodon (Gobetz & Bozarth, 2001). The digestibility of animal foodstuffs may be related to the silica content (Van Soest & Jones, 1968; Harbers et al., 1981; Balasta et al., 1989). Comparison of phytolith assemblages in soils from different sites may be useful in forensic investigations (Marumo & Yanai, 1986). Silica extracted from plants has been used in the construction of solar cells (Amick, 1982). Rice husks have been utilized in the manufacture of composite board (Côté, 1974) and as a filler to enhance properties of natural rubber vulcanizates (Sae-Oui et al., 2002). The silica extracted from rice husks has been tested for use in high- performance concrete (Chandrasekhar et al., 2002) and as a filler in epoxy resin for embedding material in electronic devices (Suwanprateeb & Hatthapanit, 2002). Recent analyses of molecular sequence data (e.g., Chase et al., 2000; Stevenson et al., 2000) have identified several well-supported major monocot clades. However, even combined multigene analyses (e.g., Chase et al., 2000) have yielded an unresolved polytomy between six of these clades (perhaps representing a relatively deep, rapid radiation): the four lilioid orders (Asparagales, Liliales, Dioscoreales and Pandanales), the large commelinid clade and the small bigeneric family Petrosaviaceae (Fig. 1). The major clades can be grouped for convenience into: 1) basal monocots ( Acorus and Alismatales); 2) a polyphyletic assemblage of five clades of lilioid monocots (Asparagales, Liliales, Dioscoreales, Pandanales and Petrosaviaceae); and 3) a monophyletic group encompassing all the commelinid monocots, including bromeliads, grasses, sedges, rushes, palms and gingers (Fig. 1). Silica bodies are not found in basal monocots or lilioid monocots (apparent reports are based on confusion with crystals); with the single exception of the asparagoid family Orchidaceae, which are thus the only non-commelinid monocots with silica bodies (Table ...
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... insects (Gueguen et al., 1975) and snails (Chevalier et al., 2001). It may even be used to study the diet of extinct species such as the moa (Kondo et al., 1994) and American mastodon (Gobetz & Bozarth, 2001). The digestibility of animal foodstuffs may be related to the silica content (Van Soest & Jones, 1968; Harbers et al., 1981; Balasta et al., 1989). Comparison of phytolith assemblages in soils from different sites may be useful in forensic investigations (Marumo & Yanai, 1986). Silica extracted from plants has been used in the construction of solar cells (Amick, 1982). Rice husks have been utilized in the manufacture of composite board (Côté, 1974) and as a filler to enhance properties of natural rubber vulcanizates (Sae-Oui et al., 2002). The silica extracted from rice husks has been tested for use in high- performance concrete (Chandrasekhar et al., 2002) and as a filler in epoxy resin for embedding material in electronic devices (Suwanprateeb & Hatthapanit, 2002). Recent analyses of molecular sequence data (e.g., Chase et al., 2000; Stevenson et al., 2000) have identified several well-supported major monocot clades. However, even combined multigene analyses (e.g., Chase et al., 2000) have yielded an unresolved polytomy between six of these clades (perhaps representing a relatively deep, rapid radiation): the four lilioid orders (Asparagales, Liliales, Dioscoreales and Pandanales), the large commelinid clade and the small bigeneric family Petrosaviaceae (Fig. 1). The major clades can be grouped for convenience into: 1) basal monocots ( Acorus and Alismatales); 2) a polyphyletic assemblage of five clades of lilioid monocots (Asparagales, Liliales, Dioscoreales, Pandanales and Petrosaviaceae); and 3) a monophyletic group encompassing all the commelinid monocots, including bromeliads, grasses, sedges, rushes, palms and gingers (Fig. 1). Silica bodies are not found in basal monocots or lilioid monocots (apparent reports are based on confusion with crystals); with the single exception of the asparagoid family Orchidaceae, which are thus the only non-commelinid monocots with silica bodies (Table ...

Citations

... In Asteraceae, species with Si concentrations higher than 10 mg g −1 are found in the Asteroideae subfamily, which emerged during the Middle Eocene Thermal Maximum 42,43 , while species with Si concentrations lower than 2 mg g −1 are typical of the Carduoideae and Cichorioideae subfamilies, which emerged in cooling episodes 44,45 . In Orchidaceae, Si-rich species are found in the Apostasioideae and Cypripedoidoidae subfamilies, which diversified during a warming episode, whereas Si is notably absent in the Vanilloideae, Orchidoideae, and Epidendrioideae subfamilies that emerged during a cooling episode 46,47 . Fabaceae exhibits low Si concentrations (<1 mg g −1 ) in subfamilies like Caesalpinioideae and Cercidoideae that appeared during cooling episodes, while high-Si species are mainly in the Papilionoideae, particularly the Phaseoleae subclade that emerged during a warming episode 48,49 . ...
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Research on silicon (Si) biogeochemistry and its beneficial effects for plants has received significant attention over several decades, but the reasons for the emergence of high-Si plants remain unclear. Here, we combine experimentation, field studies and analysis of existing databases to test the role of temperature on the expression and emergence of silicification in terrestrial plants. We first show that Si is beneficial for rice under high temperature (40 °C), but harmful under low temperature (0 °C), whilst a 2 °C increase results in a 37% increase in leaf Si concentrations. We then find that, globally, the average distribution temperature of high-Si plant clades is 1.2 °C higher than that of low-Si clades. Across China, leaf Si concentrations increase with temperature in high-Si plants (wheat and rice), but not in low-Si plants (weeping willow and winter jasmine). From an evolutionary perspective, 77% of high-Si families (>10 mg Si g⁻¹ DW) originate during warming episodes, while 86% of low-Si families (<1 mg Si g⁻¹ DW) originate during cooling episodes. On average, Earth’s temperature during the emergence of high-Si families is 3 °C higher than that of low-Si families. Taken together, our evidence suggests that plant Si variation is closely related to global and long-term climate change.
... The Ca-Si trade-off is also of special interest since recent studies suggest that, owing to grasses' high Si concentrations (Hodson et al., 2005;Katz, 2014Katz, , 2015, Ca-Si availability can profoundly affect herbaceous ecosystems in terms of dominant plant functional groups, soil microbiome composition and ecosystem functioning (Schaller et al., 2016(Schaller et al., , 2017. This trade-off is observed mostly between biomineralisation of siliceous phytoliths in grasses and of calcium oxalate crystals in many non-grass plant species (Prychid & Rudall, 1999;Prychid et al., 2003;Hodson et al., 2005;Borrelli et al., 2011;Neugebauer et al., 2018). More in-depth understanding of this trade-off's properties (e.g., its magnitude or even validity in different organisation levels such as plant families and biomes) is important for understanding its effects on ecosystems. ...
Article
Plant chemical composition is a trait gaining increasing importance in plant ecology. However, there is limited research on the patterns and drivers of its variation among different plant functional groups and bioclimatic regions. We conducted an analysis of ionomes utilising X‐ray fluorescence on 83 plant species from four distinct functional groups (grasses, legumes, forbs and woody species); we marked plots across 15 sites located in both the desert and Mediterranean bioclimatic regions. The primary factors influencing variations in ionomes are predominantly attributed to bioclimatic factors rather than soil composition. Across all functional groups, plants from the Mediterranean region are characterised by greater association with calcium, whereas desert plants exhibit a higher affinity for strontium (Sr), suggesting its potential role in drought tolerance. Among functional groups, grasses uniquely exhibit distinct ionomic features, primarily due to their higher silicon (Si) concentrations. Plant species' affinities for certain elements and their interactions are likely driven by physiological constraints, whereas variations within a functional group are mostly driven by environmental conditions. We conclude that interactions among elements form physiological phenotypes shaped by natural selection under large‐scale environmental variability, making plant ionome composition an important plant functional trait.
... This alternative pathway likely results in the deposition of silica in amorphous forms within the cell wall or extracellular matrix. Such silica deposits, integrated within the organic matrix and reported as small phytoliths in other plant species, are often resistant to extraction with alkaline digestion (Prychid et al. 2003;Kameník et al. 2013). The tight binding of silica to organic components may explain why some of the bSi in Z. marina resists alkaline digestion and requires digestion with 2.9N HF for complete extraction. ...
Article
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Silicon is a major driver of global primary productivity and CO2 sequestration, and is a beneficial element for the growth and environmental stress mitigation of many terrestrial and aquatic plants. However, only a few studies have examined the occurrence of silicon in seagrasses, and its function within seagrass ecosystems and the role of seagrasses in silicon cycling remain largely unexplored. This study uses for the first time two methods, the wet-alkaline digestion and the hydrofluoric acid digestion, to quantify silicon content in seagrass leaves using the species Zostera marina and elaborates on the potential role of silicon in seagrass biogeochemistry and ecology, as well as the role of seagrass ecosystems as a silicon reservoir. The results revealed that seagrass leaves contained 0.26% silicon:dry-weight, which is accumulated in two forms of silica: a labile form digested with the alkaline method and a resistant form digested only with acid digestion. These findings support chemical digestions for silicon quantification in seagrass leaves and provide new insights into the impact of seagrasses on the marine silicon cycle. Labile silica will be recycled upon leaf degradation, benefiting siliceous organisms, while refractory silica will contribute to the ecosystem’s buried silica stock and coupled carbon sequestration. In the Bay of Brest (France), the seagrass silicon reservoir was estimated at 0.18 ± 0.07 g Si m⁻², similar to that of benthic diatoms, underscoring the potential role of seagrasses in silicon biogeochemistry in the land–ocean continuum, where they might act as a buffer for silicon transport to the ocean.
... Udokumentowano, że zastosowanie nanocząstek krzemu reguluje równowagę Na + /K + u ryżu i pomarańczy poprzez regulację ekspresji genów transporterów Na + /K + , w tym HKT, SOS i NHX [72,81]. Ponadto, nanocząstki krzemu wzmacniają produkcję wosku naskórkowego, tworzenie dwuwarstwowej kutykuli wysyconej krzemem oraz krzemionkowych depozytów o różnych kształtach, co ogranicza parowanie i nagrzewanie się roślin [71,82]. Co więcej, aplikacja nanocząstek krzemu roślinom rosnącym w warunkach zasolenia wzmaga absorbcję potasu i jego translokację do komórek szparkowych, gdzie potas reguluje przewodność szparkową [83]. ...
Article
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The increasing population, shrinking arable land, and climate change prompt the search for new solutions in agriculture. In a sustainable approach, agriculture should be based on improving the quality and quantity of yields while maintaining biodiversity and protecting the natural environment. Nanotechnology, present in many areas of our lives, offers opportunities to support the development of sustainable agriculture on many levels. Among the numerous solutions and nanomaterials, silicon, which is a natural component of the ecosystem, deserves special attention. In its nanoparticle form, it acquires new, unique properties. This article focuses on the significant role of silicon nanoparticles in organic farming, with particular emphasis on their function as nanofertilizers. The authors analyze the impact of silicon nanoparticles on plant growth and development and their potential in mitigating the negative effects of abiotic stress factors caused by drought, salinity, and exposure to metals. Additionally, the beneficial effects of silicon nanoparticles on plants growing under biotic stress conditions induced by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are presented. The paper includes a review of original research results conducted in recent years in this area, as well as possible mechanisms and strategies of silicon nanoparticle action at the physiological, cellular, and molecular levels. The issue of the safety of using nanoparticles in agriculture and the prospects for their further use as a factor enhancing the resistance and productivity of crops are also discussed.
... For both ashes (CSA-R1 and CSA-R2), there was a deviation from the baseline within the 2Θ range of 20 • -30 • , which corresponded to amorphous silica. The plant accumulates silica [22,23] in cellular structures in the form of silica gel (SiO 2 ·nH 2 O). The ash obtained from corn leaves CSA-MX-L (Figure 9c) did not show any crystallized material because leaves were meticulously washed with deionized water before auto-combustion (soil contamination was removed). ...
... For both ashes (CSA-R1 and CSA-R2), there was a deviation from the baseline within the 2Θ range of 20°-30°, which corresponded to amorphous silica. The plant accumulates silica [22,23] in cellular structures in the form of silica gel (SiO2·nH2O). The ash obtained from corn leaves CSA-MX-L (Figure 9c) did not show any crystallized material because leaves were meticulously washed with deionized water before auto-combustion (soil contamination was removed). ...
Article
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Agricultural waste availability implies the possibility of recovering energy as biomass. The collateral effect is the production of ashes that, in some cases, have the potential to be reused in the manufacture of cement, mortar, and concrete. This article presents the study of the auto-combustion (unlike all previous studies) of corn (maize) straw (stems and leaves). The auto-combustion temperature was monitored, and the obtained corn straw ash (CSA) was characterized by means of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the behavior of ground CSA was analyzed in both the fresh state by measurement of workability on the spreading table and the hardened state by compressive strength measurement on mortars in which 10% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced with CSA. These values were compared to both a control mortar (OPC) and a mortar in which OPC was partially replaced with 10% limestone filler. Ashes showed adequate pozzolanic reactivity because, at 90 curing days, the compressive strength of the mortars with 10% replacement of OPC with CSA was practically equal (98% of the strength) to the control mortar without pozzolan replacement. The auto-combustion of biomass is a process that can be easily available, and the results on pozzolanic reactivity of CSA are satisfactory. The auto-combustion could be used by low-income communities to reduce Portland cement clinker use and to recover waste.
... After decomposition of plant tissues these highly durable biogenic silica particles are released into the soil and may remain Phytoliths in bamboos from eastern and north-eastern India: Implications in distinguishing different ecoclimatic conditions and in deciphering Late Holocene climate variability there for millions of years (Prasad et al., 2005;Prychid et al., 2003;Rovner, 1983;Twiss et al., 1969). Grasses produce short and long cell phytolith morphotypes. ...
Article
To develop a phytolith (biogenic silica) reference and to understand the eco-climatic indicative values of some grass silica short cells (GSSCs) occurring in the bamboos (Bambusoideae grasses), one of the chief floral components of eastern and north-eastern parts of India, we studied 44 modern bambusoid grasses and 26 surface soils from different eco-climatic zones covering both the plains and mountainous regions. Of the diverse phytoliths retrieved from the bamboos, Saddle tall and Saddle collapsed were the most abundant types (except in Yushania maling) and these types were also common in surface soil phytolith assemblages of the eastern and north-eastern parts of India. To assess the environmental sensitivity of most consistent morphotypes, we categorized two commonly occurring GSSC morphotypes namely Saddle tall into three groups based on their length and Saddle collapsed into two groups based on their length to width ratio respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to understand if these morphotypes could distinguish different eco-climatic conditions. Variability of Saddle tall and Saddle collapsed types (both morphometric and abundance) in bamboos growing in these parts of India is a function of mean precipitation of the wettest quarter (MPWeQ) and mean temperature of the driest quarter (MTDQ). The present results served as a baseline for reevaluating the interpretations of a Late-Holocene fossil phytolith record from the eastern Himalaya further validating the potential of Saddle tall and Saddle collapsed types in reconstructing past climate variability in a wide geographical region.
... Leaf blades were mainly sampled, as they are more taxonomically relevant according to Metcalfe (1960). Additionally, they may have higher levels of silica deposition due to increased evapo-transpiration, as indicated by Prychid et al. (2003) and Chauhan et al. (2011). In contrast, leaf sheaths, which are tougher, are mainly found on the lower part of the plant and were not included in our sampling procedure. ...
Article
Full-text available
The taxonomic differentiation of Panicum miliaceu (broomcorn millet) and Setaria italica (foxtail millet) is of high relevance for archaeology and archaeobotany. The identification of these millets heavily relies on the morphology of the phytoliths in the inflorescence bracts (husks), while other plant parts have been less researched. This study offers a meticulous examination of a distinctive variety of phytoliths in millet leaves, Acute bulbosus. It carries out a comparative analysis of examples of these from modern P. miliaceum and S. italica leaves. To support the robustness of our findings, a case study was done using pieces of burnt clay daub excavated from the Shuanghuaishu site, central China (5,290–4,527 cal bp), which showed clear impressions of millet. The results agree with parallel investigations of diagnostic phytoliths extracted from millet husks, in addition to ethnographic observations of the uses of millet. This research establishes the possibility of differentiating between the leaves of Panicum miliaceum and Setaria italica, from the dimensions and shapes of the Acute bulbosus phytoliths there. These distinguishing features are quantified using a range of criteria and show the potential for identifying the remains of leaves of S. italica and P. miliaceum from archaeological contexts by using morphometric distinctions between the Acute bulbosus phytoliths.
... In addition, morphologically similar phytoliths occur in several other monocot families (e.g. Prychid et al., 2003;Benvenuto et al., 2015). For these reasons, the detailed taxonomic affinities of fossil palm phytoliths remain uncertain and render ecological inferences difficult. ...
... Our survey of palm phytolith morphology shows that there is phylogenetically informative shape and size variation within the family; for example, the production of Petasoid echinate (i.e. hat-shaped) phytoliths is limited to certain clades rather than occurring across all palm subfamilies or tribes (Fig. 2), a result consistent with previous observations (Prychid et al., 2003). However, overlapping phytolith shape and size variation within palms, particularly the high level of intraspecific variation (Supplementary Data Fig. ...
... Although mangrove palms (N. fruticans) produce Petasoid echinate phytoliths, our results show that Petasoid echinate morphotypes are produced by several phylogenetically disparate palm clades ( Fig. 2; Prychid et al., 2003), and those produced by Nypa are not readily distinguished from those of other hat-producing clades. Thus, inferring the presence of mangrove swamps should be supported by additional evidence (e.g. ...
Article
Background and aims Palm fossils are often used as evidence for warm and wet palaeoenvironments, reflecting the affinities of most modern palms. However, several extant palm lineages tolerate cool and/or arid climates, making a clear understanding of the taxonomic composition of ancient palm communities important for reliable palaeoenvironmental inference. However, taxonomically identifiable palm fossils are rare and often confined to specific facies. Although the resolution of taxonomic information they provide remains unclear, phytoliths (microscopic silica bodies) provide a possible solution because of their high preservation potential under conditions where other plant fossils are scarce. We thus evaluate the taxonomic and palaeoenvironmental utility of palm phytoliths. Methods We quantified phytolith morphology of 97 modern palm and other monocot species. Using this dataset, we tested the ability of five common discriminant methods to identify nine major palm clades. We then compiled a dataset of species' climate preferences and tested if they were correlated with phytolith morphology using a phylogenetic comparative approach. Finally, we reconstructed palm communities and palaeoenvironmental conditions at six fossil sites. Key results Best performing models correctly identified phytoliths to their clade of origin only 59% of the time. Although palms were generally distinguished from non-palms, few palm clades were highly distinct, and phytolith morphology was weakly correlated with species’ environmental preferences. Reconstructions at all fossil sites suggested that palm communities were dominated by Trachycarpeae and Areceae, with warm, equable climates, and high, potentially seasonal rainfall. However, fossil site reconstructions had high uncertainty and often conflicted with other climate proxies. Conclusions While phytolith morphology provides some distinction among palm clades, caution is warranted. Unlike prior spatially-restricted studies, our geographically and phylogenetically broad study indicates phytolith morphology may not reliably differentiate most palm taxa in deep time. Nevertheless, it reveals distinct clades, including some likely to be palaeoenvironmentally informative.
... The number of silica bodies and rows per ridge might be diagnostic for the specific treatment. But there was always a range of variations due to the age of seeds and the environmental conditions must be taken into account (Kim et al., 2002;Prychid et al., 2003). ...
Article
In addressing the challenge of inflorescence emergence in cytoplasmic male sterile line (CMS) rice, specifically the CMS A-line, GA3 has conventionally been utilized. However, the high cost of GA3 poses financial constraints for middle-class and marginal farmers. This study aims to identify cost-effective alternatives to GA3 for CMS breeding. Utilizing IR58025A as the A-line and KMR3 as the R-line, obtained from Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hooghly, the experiment was conducted following CMS breeding layout design at the Crop Research Farm under the Department of Botany, the University of Burdwan. Various chemicals, including GA3 , penicillin, sulfonamide, and gentamicin, were applied as foliar spray treatments, alongside a control group, during flowering to produce F1 seeds from the A-line in the boro season. The primary objectives include exploring microfeatures of different plant organs such as leaves, stems, androecium, and gynoecium through SEM analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the diverse treatments. This research contributes valuable insights for rice breeders and the scientific community, offering potential alternatives to GA3 in CMS breeding technology.
... Stegmata, which are structures made of silica and associated with fibers, can be found in different vegetative and reproductive plant organs (Møller and Rasmussen, 1984;Stern and Morris, 1992). According to some authors (Zanenga-Godoy and Costa, 2003;Prychid et al., 2004), stegmata can provide support and rigidity to internal tissues, and protect plants against herbivory and pathogenic microorganisms (Møller and Rasmussen, 1984;Stern and Morris, 1992;Zanenga-Godoy and Costa, 2003;Prychid et al., 2004). Although the previously mentioned authors reported observing them only in epiphytic orchids growing in xerophytic environments, those structures were observed in the present study in terricolous and rupicolous species growing in environments with good water availability during part or all the year (e.g., "Veredas") as well as in environments with scarce water resources. ...
... Stegmata, which are structures made of silica and associated with fibers, can be found in different vegetative and reproductive plant organs (Møller and Rasmussen, 1984;Stern and Morris, 1992). According to some authors (Zanenga-Godoy and Costa, 2003;Prychid et al., 2004), stegmata can provide support and rigidity to internal tissues, and protect plants against herbivory and pathogenic microorganisms (Møller and Rasmussen, 1984;Stern and Morris, 1992;Zanenga-Godoy and Costa, 2003;Prychid et al., 2004). Although the previously mentioned authors reported observing them only in epiphytic orchids growing in xerophytic environments, those structures were observed in the present study in terricolous and rupicolous species growing in environments with good water availability during part or all the year (e.g., "Veredas") as well as in environments with scarce water resources. ...
Article
Cyrtopodium comprises 50 species, 37 of which are found in Brazil, with 19 being endemic. Some of the Brazilian species are morphologically similar, with similar life forms, and are often confused in herbarium collections. We tested whether the anatomical characters of the vegetative systems of eight species of the genus occurring in savanna areas of Central Brazil could be used to differentiate them, or if those differences reflect environmental conditions. We found that: i) the studied species can be differentiated by leaf characters (e.g., the types and locations of their epicuticular waxes and cuticle ornamentations, the presence or absence of prismatic crystals and trichomes, midrib contour, composition and orientation of the leaf margin, numbers and arrangements of the vascular bundles), by pseudobulb characteristics (e.g., the shapes of the subepidermal cells), and by radicular characteristics (e.g., numbers of cortex and velamen layers, the presence or absence of trichomes, phi thickening, spiral idioblasts, the numbers of protoxylem poles); and that, ii) the thick cuticle of the pseudobulb, the density of waxes, and the presence of supra- and substomatal chambers in the leaves, as well as tilosomes and the numbers of layers of velamen in the roots, may reflect adaptations to environmental conditions and life forms. Additionally, we report here for the first time for the genus, the presence of crystals in epidermal cells, striae and epicuticular waxes, root trichomes, phi thickening, and spiral idioblasts, and describe the ascending and tangled "trash-basket" roots of C. saintlegerianum in an ecological-functional context associated with epiphytism.