Breeding for silicon-use efficiency, protein content and drought tolerance in bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.): a review

Abstract

The production and quality of wheat are affected by abiotic constraints including water stress and soil nutrient deficiencies. It is imperative to develop drought-tolerant wheat varieties with high yield potential and enhanced grain protein content for food security. Silicon (Si) is important for plant growth and development but its role in abiotic stress tolerance has been overlooked in breeding programs. Identifying the underlying functional genes controlling drought tolerance, protein content and grain yield is essential for wheat improvement, especially under drought stress. Silicon uptake is conditioned by several Si transporter genes such as Lsi1, Lsi2 and Lsi6 and aquaporins, which facilitate transport of silicon and water between cells. The objectives of this review are to examine the role of Si in improving plant nutrition and drought tolerance, and to appraise the genetic control of Si uptake and breeding methods for improving Si uptake for drought adaptation and improved grain yield and quality. The review highlights the limited progress made in breeding for drought tolerance in wheat, especially in sub-Sahara Africa where the challenge is prevalent. Limited understanding of the genetic basis for Si uptake and physiology contribute to the limited progress in its exploitation in wheat improvement programs.

Nitrogen availability and plant–plant interactions drive leaf silicon concentration in wheat genotypes

“…Finding a consistent pattern among genotype leaf [Si] and the expression of Si transporters at the intraspecific level would improve our understanding of the evolutionary path of Si uptake by vascular plants (Deshmukh et al, 2020 ; Deshmukh & Bélanger, 2016 ). Second, since genotype leaf [Si] directly influences levels of silica‐based defences (Hartley et al, 2015 ; McLarnon et al, 2017 ) and their responses to abiotic stresses (Thorne et al, 2022 ), breeding for Si‐rich crop genotypes may have benefits for reducing pesticide inputs, especially in low‐nutrient and/or herbivore susceptible areas (Christian et al, 2022 ). Regarding N fertilisation, genotypes for which leaf [Si] did not decrease might be retained by plant breeders to limit the N‐driven decrease in silica‐based defences.…”

“…Second, since genotype leaf [Si] directly influences levels of silicabased defences (Hartley et al, 2015;McLarnon et al, 2017) and their responses to abiotic stresses (Thorne et al, 2022), breeding for Si-rich crop genotypes may have benefits for reducing pesticide inputs, especially in low-nutrient and/or herbivore susceptible areas (Christian et al, 2022). Regarding N fertilisation, genotypes for which leaf [Si] did not decrease might be retained by plant breeders to limit the N-driven decrease in silica-based Regarding plant-plant interactions, genotypes for which leaf [Si] increased when mixed with a neighbour might be preferred for their potentially greater ability to accumulate Si and cope with environmental stresses, either in intra-or intergenotypic cultures.…”

Polymer blends of poly(lactic acid) and starch for the production of films applied in food packaging: A brief review

“…[489][490][491] Furthermore, wheat accounts for more than 35% of global food demand. 492,493 The species T. aestivum L. is the most used for starch extraction, being the most cultivated, corresponding to 90%-95% of the total production. 494 Regarding cultivation, water stress is one of the main factors that cause the low productivity of the wheat crop.…”

The effect of silicon fertilizers on agronomic performance of bread wheat under drought stress and non‐stress conditions

“…Si uptake is subject to Si formulation, concentration, volume, plant species and genotypic variations. Most Si‐related research has been focused on the disciplines of pathology and crop science in isolation, but there is a limited effort to integrate this micronutrient into crop improvement programs (Christian et al, 2022).…”