Silicon in plant nutrition: Effects on zinc, manganese and boron leaf concentrations and compartmentation

Abstract

Silicon (Si), taken up as Si(OH)4 by plants, is transported and deposited mainly in the apoplast since Si transport and distribution follows that of water. This makes it rather likely that it influences the physical and chemical properties of the apoplast. In order to investigate the effect of Si on the properties of the leaf apoplast, mineral concentrations and binding forms of ions in the cell walls and intercellular washing fluid were determined. Three mineral element/silicon interactions were the focus of our study: a) the influence of Si on phosphate-induced zinc deficiency, b) effects of Si on exchange capacity and binding forms of manganese in the leaf apoplast and c) silicon/boron interactions. Silicon was shown to influence in particular the compartmentation of zinc, boron, and manganese.