Waterman, J.M. orcid.org/0000-0003-1782-827X, Cibils‐Stewart, X. orcid.org/0000-0003-0296-5554, Cazzonelli, C.I. orcid.org/0000-0003-3096-3193 et al. (2 more authors) (2021) Short‐term exposure to silicon rapidly enhances plant resistance to herbivory. Ecology, 102 (9). e03438. ISSN 0012-9658
Abstract
Silicon (Si) can adversely affect insect herbivores, particularly in plants that evolved the ability to accumulate large quantities of Si. Very rapid herbivore-induced accumulation of Si has recently been demonstrated, but the level of protection against herbivory this affords plants remains unknown. Brachypodium distachyon, a model Si hyperaccumulating grass, was exposed to the chewing herbivore, Helicoverpa armigera, and grown under three conditions: supplied Si over 34 d (+Si), not supplied Si (−Si), or supplied Si once herbivory began (−Si → +Si). We evaluated the effectiveness of each Si treatment at reducing herbivore performance and measured Si-based defenses and phenolics (another form of defense often reduced by Si). Although Si concentrations remained lower, within 72 h of exposure to Si, −Si → +Si plants were as resistant to herbivory as +Si plants. Both +Si and −Si → +Si treatments reduced herbivore damage and growth, and increased mandible wear compared to −Si. After 6 h, herbivory increased filled Si cell density in −Si → +Si plants, and within 24 h, −Si → +Si plants reached similar filled Si cell densities to +Si plants, although decreased phenolics only occurred in +Si plants. We demonstrate that plants with short-term Si exposure can rapidly accumulate Si-based antiherbivore defenses as effectively as plants with long-term exposure.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 by the Ecological Society of America. |
Keywords: | Helicoverpa armigera; herbivory; plant defense; silica cells; silicon; Herbivory; Plant Defense Against Herbivory; Silicon |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Vice-Chancellor's Office (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 06 Sep 2024 11:03 |
Last Modified: | 06 Sep 2024 11:03 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/ecy.3438 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:216872 |