Figure - available from: Frontiers in Plant Science
This content is subject to copyright.
The effect of phosphorus (P) supply, Phytophthora plurivora root infection and silicon (Si) addition on the relative change of mineral nutrients concentrations as compared to the control. Two-way cluster analysis presented shows simultaneous groupings of treatments (by their similar effect on nutrient leaf accumulation) and of mineral nutrients (by their similar response to treatment factors). Control (+P–Phyt–Si) is delineated by thick line. Blank cells correspond to nonsignificant variations in leaf nutrient concentration compared to the control. Leaf concentrations of zinc (Zn) are left out because they did not significantly change in any treatment. Data matrix: statistically significant relative change (colour coded: white – highest decrease, dark red – highest increase) of leaf nutrient concentrations compared to the control; Euclidean distance, Ward’s linkage; percent chaining 18%, total sum of squares 37387.6.
Source publication
Beneficial effects of silicon (Si) on plants have primarily been studied in crop species under single stress. Moreover, nutrient acquisition-based responses to combination of biotic and abiotic stresses (a common situation in natural habitats) have rarely been reported, in particular in conjunction with soil amendments with Si. Pedunculate oak (Que...
Similar publications
Plants are central to complex networks of multitrophic interactions. Increasing evidence suggests that beneficial microorganisms (BMs) may be used as plant biostimulants and pest biocontrol agents. We investigated whether tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants are thoroughly colonized by the endophytic and entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana,...
Citations
... Previous studies showed that P-limited conditions influence the complex interaction between plants and microorganisms; P deficiency can weaken plant defences against pathogens, increasing infection severity (Khan et al. 2016, Tripathi et al. 2022. Mature oak trees counteract this through root symbioses with fungi, thereby enhancing P availability, while seedlings show reduced disease resistance due to limited mycorrhizal colonisation (Southworth et al. 2009, Kostic et al. 2023). ...
Insects and pathogens interact with plant species, influencing the natural regeneration of plant populations. However, the mechanisms by which they mediate the early regeneration process remain unclear. Herein, we evaluated the pest and disease status of 380 Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata seedlings and its effects on their photosynthetic and physiological properties in the Qinling Mountains, China. Results indicated that 243 seedlings were affected by pests and diseases, mainly in the 0−20 cm height range, and the affected leaf area was mainly in the range of 0−60%. Biology and soil factors were the primary drivers of these conditions, with canopy density being a largely influencing factor. Disease significantly decreased the chlorophyll content (Chl), net‐photosynthesis ( P n ), stomatal conductance ( G s ), intercellular CO 2 concentration ( C i ), and transpiration rate ( T r ) in seedlings but increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble sugar content. The light‐response curve varied among pests, diseases, and healthy seedlings. Pest stress prompted the seedlings to maintain high levels of photosynthesis unlike the effects seen with diseases. Our findings highlight the impact of biotic factors on forest natural regeneration and contribute to enhancing healthy forest management and promoting sustainable development.
... While its role in stress resistance is well-documented in agricultural crops, recent studies have shown similar benefits to forest tree species. Studies have shown that Si alleviates stresses in temperate trees including European beech [17], Chinese fir, Chinese sweetgum [18], oak [19], and chestnut [20]. In tropical forests, where Si levels vary significantly across soils and species, Si is crucial for enhancing plant stress resistance [21,22]. ...
Silicon (Si) affects soil formation, carbon (C) cycling, nutrient dynamics, vegetation growth and plant stress resilience, all of which are critical to the general health and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Despite its abundance and diverse functions, the pivotal role of Si in forest ecology is frequently overlooked. This review aims to clarify the intricate role of Si in forest ecosystems by focusing on soil genesis and properties, vegetation requirements, and biogeochemical cycles. Podzolization and laterization, two distinct pedogenic processes with differing Si chemistries, are strongly influenced by forest vegetation type. Si is the basic building block of sand, silt, and clay, and influences soil properties such as soil erodibility, long-term nutrient availability, and water retention, which are fundamental for sustainable forest management. In addition to providing mechanical support, Si protects several plant species from both biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby enhancing forest longevity and health. Soil-plant Si dynamics influence C sinks by stabilizing phytoliths, accelerating silicate weathering, and prolonging biomass lifespan. The stability of phytoliths and silicate minerals in the soil is governed by interactions among Si pools, fluxes and biogeochemical cycles. Forest vegetation composition, stand maturity, and Si absorption capacity also play significant roles. Therefore, research on Si in forest ecosystems is crucial for ecological science and sustainable forest resource management. This is particularly important in addressing current global environmental challenges, where Si’s influence on soil stability, nutrient cycling, and C sequestration has far-reaching implications.
... While the precise role of silicon in these processes remains unclear and little is known about Si-regulated molecular mechanisms in forest tree species like European beech, it is conceivable that the general gene expression pathway induced by silicon in plants follows a similar pattern. It has been shown that a biotic stress caused by P. plurivora attack increased the accumulation of Si in young oak leaves exposed to phosphorus deficiency [75]. ...
Background: Climate change is leading to severe and long-term droughts in European forest ecosystems. can have profound effects on various physiological processes, including photosynthesis, gene expression patterns, and nutrient uptake at the developmental stage of young trees. Objectives: Our study aimed to test the hypothesis that the application of silica (SiO2) influences photosynthetic efficiency and gene expression in 1- to 2-year-old Fagus sylvatica (L.) seedlings. Additionally, we aimed to assess whether silicon application positively influences the structural properties of leaves and roots. To determine whether the plant physiological responses are genotype-specific, seedlings of four geographically different provenances were subjected to a one-year evaluation under greenhouse conditions. Methods: We used the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Wilcoxon’s test to evaluate the differences in silicon content and ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test to evaluate the physiological responses of seedlings depending on treatment and provenance. Results: Our results showed a significantly higher Si content in the roots compared with the leaves, regardless of provenance and treatment. The most significant differences in photosynthetic performance were found in trees exposed to Si treatment, but the physiological responses were generally nuanced and provenance-dependent. Expression of hsp70 and hsp90 was also increased in leaf tissues of all provenances. These results provide practical insights that Si can improve the overall health and resilience of beech seedlings in nursery and forest ecosystems, with possible differences in the beneficial role of silicon application arising from the large differences in wild populations of forest tree species.
... Furthermore, necroses occurred in stems and leaves treated with A. gansuensis CF in vitro. From this combination of observations, it was speculated that toxins could be involved, and such toxins might have detrimental impacts on net P [18,30,[33][34][35]. Net photosynthesis can be detected easily; this parameter is positively and significantly correlated with physiological dysfunction and necrosis, and it could be a rapid way to monitor disease occurrence or resistance evaluation. ...
Alternaria gansuensis, a seed-borne fungus of standing milkvetch (Astragalus adsurgens), is the most common pathogen of this plant species and causes yellow stunt and root rot. Although plant resistance to this disease has been identified, a better understanding of the nature of this resistance will help improve and optimize its implementation in standing milkvetch. The effects of A. gansuensis on the physiology of standing milkvetch were assessed in a 4-week study comparing a resistant plant variety, Shanxi, and a susceptible variety, Ningxia. In the first week, there was an obvious decrease in photosynthesis (P) in inoculated plants, especially in the susceptible variety, but there were no changes in stomatal conductance (Sc). From the second week on, P and Sc decreased progressively, and significant stem lesions were observed concomitantly. Water use efficiency (WUE) increased slightly in the second week but then decreased significantly from the third week. Physiological changes observed for the resistant variety of standing milkvetch were less dramatic than those of the susceptible variety. Hyphae were observed around inoculation lesions of the plants. Culture filtrate (CF) of A. gansuensis induced changes in extracellular pH and conductivity, especially in the susceptible variety samples. Tissue integrity changes in the plants correlated with the decrease in P. Secondary metabolite compounds were extracted from the plants and 21 types of compounds were identified. The composition and proportion of secondary metabolites were markedly altered by the pathogen, and these differences may indicate potential mechanisms of disease resistance to A. gansuensis in standing milkvetch.
Silicon (Si) helps to reduce the intensities of several seedborne, soilborne, and foliar diseases caused by biotrophic, hemibiotrophic, and necrotrophic plant pathogens in many crops. Plants displaying high levels of Si in their tissues are less prone to be severely affected by the infection process of the pathogen. The reduction in disease symptoms is linked to the effect of Si on some components of host resistance (e.g., incubation period, lesion size, lesion number, frequency of infection, and infectious period). The polymerization of Si beneath the cuticle and in the cell walls stops the penetration by the pathogens. On top of that, Si may potentiate the phenylpropanoid and terpenoid pathways and help plants to have a faster and stronger transcription of defense-related genes and higher activities of defense enzymes. When infected by pathogens, the plants supplied with Si show improved photosynthesis and a more robust antioxidant system.
Silicon (Si) emerges as one of the most relevant elements in plant nutrition for mitigating a wide range of stresses. This review aimed to reinforce the benefits of Si in agriculture, specifically addressing its potential effect on the mitigation of individual and multiple stresses and discussing future research perspectives in this field. Future perspectives suggest that research should deepen studies involving the effects of Si on the soil-microbiota-plant system.
