Silicon elicited varied physiological and biochemical responses in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea): a concentration dependent study

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the silicon (Si) mediated responses in different cultivars of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) and to evaluate if Si could be used as an essential, beneficial, or quasi-essential element for growth and development of these cultivars. Surface sterilized seeds were sown in pots and allowed to germinate under natural environmental conditions. At 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 days after germination, a range of Si concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mM) was administered to the soil and at 30 days post germination the plants were sampled to assess growth and development, leaf gas exchange traits and plant biochemical parameters, including activities of carbonic anhydrase, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and protein and proline content. The results demonstrate a dual response to Si concentration: 0.8 mM of Si significantly increased plant growth and development (length of root and shoot, fresh and dry biomass, and leaf area) and photosynthetic efficiency, and enhanced the antioxidant response in T-59 over all the other cultivars tested, whereas, 1.6 mM of Si significantly reduced the above parameters. It is therefore concluded that low levels of Si could be used as a quasi-essential element for enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant response ofBrassica junceaplants; however, the response is cultivar specific and concentration dependent.

Improving Lodging Resistance: Using Wheat and Rice as Classical Examples

“…The application of silicon prevents these water losses [244]. Moreover, this element also affects the architecture of plant leaves to increase the amount of light interception by leaves [245], thereby improving sclerenchyma, vascular tissues, and vascular sheaths [246,247], and preventing lodging in wheat and rice. This micronutrient can be utilized to stimulate silicification and lignification in thick-walled cells, thicken collenchyma cells, and improve keratinocyte development and enhance cellulose content, as a result increasing lodging resistance in rice [248].…”

Agro-Techniques for Lodging Stress Management in Maize-Soybean Intercropping System—A Review

“…Wang et al [ 172 ] observed that Si element could amplify the photosynthetic rate by altering the leaf structure and the content of chlorophyll in rice plants. In addition, Si element can change the leaf anatomy to capture more light and enhance the light interception in the plant’s leaves and to improve the vascular bundle sheath and sclerenchyma tissues, which help in lodging resistance [ 173 , 174 ]. Another research has concluded that Si could be used as fuel to ignite the process of lignification and silicification for the cell wall and collenchyma cells thickness that increases the development of keratinocyte and cellulose contents resulting in lodging tolerance [ 28 ].…”

Silicon Application Differentially Modulates Root Morphology and Expression of PIN and YUCCA Family Genes in Soybean (Glycine max L.)

“…Overall, the concentration-dependent response of Si is widely observed in crops, including, soybean (Park et al, 2019), rice (Kim et al, 2014), Indian mustard (Rehman et al, 2016), and sugarcane (Frazão et al, 2020). However, the cultivar-dependent response of Si in soybean has not yet been identified.…”