Effects, distribution and uptake of silicon in banana (Musa spp.) under controlled conditions

Abstract

Three contrasted genotypes of Musa spp. (M. acuminata cv Grande Naine, M. acuminata spp. Banksii and M. balbisiana spp. Tani) were grown for 6 weeks under optimal conditions in hydroponics and were submitted to a wide range of Si supply (0-1.66 mM Si) to quantify the Si uptake and distribution in banana, as well as the effect of Si on banana growth. The level of Si supply did not affect plant growth, nor the rate of water and nutrient uptake. The rate of Si uptake and the Si concentration in plant tissues increased markedly with the Si supply. At the highest Si concentrations (1.66 mM), silicon absorption was essentially driven by mass flow of water (passive transport). However, at lower Si concentrations (0.02-0.83 mM), it was higher than its uptake by mass flow and caused the depletion of silicon in the nutrient solution, suggesting the existence of active processes in silicon transport. The distribution of silicon among shoot organs (pseudostem < petiole and midrib < young lamina < old leaf) confirmed the major role of transpiration in silicon accumulation and was not dependent on silicon supply. However, other mechanisms of transport might be operating in the roots and in the petiole and midrib of young leaves, whose silicon concentration was unexpectedly high at low Si supply (0.02 mM) compared to higher levels of Si. The three genotypes did not exhibit consistent differences in their responses to silicon supply.

Silicon uptake by wheat: Effects of Si pools and pH

“…Our results are partly in agreement with previous studies: Henriet et al (2006) showed for banana plants, that plant growth was not influenced by the level of Si supply, similarly to the present study. The authors showed, however, that the rate of Si uptake by banana, as well as the Si content in plant biomass, were lowest (passive Si uptake) at high Si concentrations of the solution (1.7 mmol L -1 ) and higher than based on passive transport (active Si uptake) at lower Si concentrations (0.02-0.8 mmol L -1 ).…”

“…The authors showed, however, that the rate of Si uptake by banana, as well as the Si content in plant biomass, were lowest (passive Si uptake) at high Si concentrations of the solution (1.7 mmol L -1 ) and higher than based on passive transport (active Si uptake) at lower Si concentrations (0.02-0.8 mmol L -1 ). This implies that plants in the study by Henriet et al (2006) had to "make efforts" for Si uptake only in case of low Si availability. This was not the case in the present study: Highest average Si concentrations in solutions occurred in the treatments with silica gel (Fig.…”

The effect of foliar fertilization with marine calcite in sugar beet

“…Silicon plays a very important role in the reduction of the plants vulnerability to biotic and abiotic environmental stress (Fauteux et al 2005, Mitani and Ma 2005, Ma and Yamaji 2006, Liang et al 2006, Gunes et al 2007, Sacała 2009). This component increases the plants' resistance to pathogens and pests (Samuels et al 1993, Fawe et al 1998, Raven 2003, Henriet et al 2006, Cai et al 2009). One of the most important beneficial effects of silicon on plant growth is related to increased resistance under water stress conditions (Ma et al 2004, Sacała 2009).…”

Understanding Root Uptake of Nutrients, Toxic and Polluting Elements in Hydroponic Culture

“…Banana roots are able to induce silicate dissolution thereby increasing silicon availability in the rhizosphere (Hinsinger et al, 2001;Rufyikiri et al, 2004). In this respect, a study was conducted in hydroponic by Henriet et al (2006) (device 2) to investigate the effect of Si supply on banana growth, water uptake and nutrient uptake under optimal and sub-or non-optimal conditions (Fig. 6).…”

“…Quantitative model of water and silicon movement and distribution in the plant (from Henriet et al, 2006) of 0.0 (control), 0.08, 0.42, 0.83 and 1.66 mM, and to cover as much as possible the range of Si concentration that can be found in soil solutions (0.01-1.99mM). As described by Henriet et al (2006), Si was supplied as H 4 SiO 4 obtained by dissolving sodium metasilicate in demineralized water, followed by leaching on a protonated cation-exchange resin (Amberlite® IR-120). Neither Si precipitation nor H 4 SiO 4 deprotonation was expected because Si concentration was below the solubility limit (<1.79 mM Si) and pH ranged between 5 and 6.5 (Stumm & Morgan 1996).…”