Beneficial elements for agricultural crops and their functional relevance in defence against stresses

The beneficial elements are not deemed essential for all crops but may be vital for particular plant taxa. The distinction between beneficial and essential is often difficult in the case of some trace elements. Elements such as aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co), sodium (Na), selenium (Se) and silicon (Si) are considered beneficial for plants. These elements are not critical for all plants but may improve plant growth and yield. Pertinently, beneficial elements reportedly enhance resistance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, high temperature, cold, UV stress, and nutrient toxicity or deficiency) and biotic stresses (pathogens and herbivores) at their low levels. However, the essential-to-lethal range for these elements is somewhat narrow. The effect of beneficial elements at low levels deserves more attention with regard to using them to fertilize crops to boost crop production under stress and to enhance plant nutritional value as a feed or food. A more holistic approach to plant nutrition would not only be restricted to nutrients essential to survival but would also include mineral elements at levels beneficial for best growth. Here, we describe the uptake mechanisms of various beneficial elements, their favourable aspects, and the role of these elements in conferring tolerance against abiotic and biotic stresses.     

Effects of silicon on the germination,growth and physiology activity of Zea mays L. seedlings under PH stress

Silicon(Si) has a significant function in reducing abiotic stresses on plants. pH stress is one of abiotic stresses. We investigated the effects of silicon on maize seedlings under pH stress. The results showed that incorporation of Si (2.0?mM (mmol)) into pH 3.0 increased the growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, decreased catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde content. The combined treatments with Si (8.0?mM) and pH 3.0 decreased the maize growth compare with the single pH (3.0). Incorporation of Si (2.0 or 8.0?mM) into pH 8.0 were obviously unchanged compare with the single pH (8.0). The combined or single effects of Si (2.0 or 8.0?mM) and pH (3.0 or 8.0) on germination percentage were negligible. The application of Si (2.0?mM) could be a better strategy for improving the plant growth and alleviating low pH stress in soil.     

Effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on the molecular responses of maize under drought and heat stresses: A review

Drought and heat are major environmental stresses that continually influence plant growth and development. Under field conditions, these stresses occur more frequently in combination than alone, which magnifies corresponding detrimental effects on the growth and productivity of agriculturally important crops. Plant responses to such abiotic stresses are quite complex and manifested in a range of developmental, molecular, and physiological modifications that lead either to stress sensitivity or tolerance/resistance. Maize (Zea mays L.) is known for its sensitivity to abiotic stresses, which often results in substantial loss in crop productivity. Bioaugmentation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and heat stresses on plants. Hence, this is considered a promising and eco-friendly strategy to ensure sustainable and long-term maize production under adverse climatic conditions. These microorganisms possess various plant growth-promoting (PGP) characteristics that can induce drought and heat tolerance in maize plants by directly or indirectly influencing molecular, metabolic, and physiological stress responses of plants. This review aims to assess the current knowledge regarding the ability of PGPR to induce drought and heat stress tolerance in maize plants. Furthermore, the drought and heat stress-induced expression of drought and heat stress response genes for this crop is discussed with the mechanisms through which PGPR alter maize stress response gene expression.     

丛枝菌根真菌AMF提高植物抗逆性的组学技术研究进展

  【目的】  丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)可以显著提高植物对逆境胁迫的抵抗能力,本文综述了国内外针对代表性组学技术(转录组学、蛋白质组学和代谢组学)在AMF提高植物抗逆领域(干旱、温度、盐碱、重金属)的研究进展,分析了在逆境胁迫下,植物–菌根共生体在分子层面上的应答调控机理,为深入理解AMF提高植物耐逆的分子机理提供一定的科学依据。  主要进展  植物主要通过根系与AMF建立共生关系,进而从土壤中吸收更多的水分和营养物质,提高植物对非生物胁迫的抵抗能力。菌根植物在转录、翻译以及表观遗传层面应答非生物胁迫。AMF在不同程度上上调或下调某些与非生物胁迫相关基因的转录或蛋白的翻译及降解,从而提高植物对非生物胁迫的抵抗能力,维持植物的生长发育,提高其对水分和营养物质的吸收和利用效率。通过转录组学、蛋白质组学和代谢组学分析关键基因、蛋白及代谢物的变化,为深入挖掘AMF提高植物抗逆机理提供理论依据。  研究展望  揭示丛枝菌根共生体抗逆机理的组学技术研究仍处于起步阶段,单一组学的应用限制了信息表达的完整性和深层次网络调控机理的精确性。随着测序技术和手段在速度、精度等方面的提高以及生物信息学的更新发展,AMF提高植物抗逆性组学的研究将朝着多组学结合的方向发展,使研究者能够从多角度全面探究植物相关研究的分子机理,这有助于更全面地理解植物相关生命活动的分子调控规律。     

非生物胁迫下植物水通道蛋白的应答与调控

【目的】水分不仅是细胞中各类生命物质合成的必需底物,而且也参与植物体内的养分代谢和渗透平衡的调节。植物中水分的跨膜转运主要是由水通道蛋白(AQPs)所介导的,因此,无论是在植物整体水平还是细胞水平上,水分的吸收以及跨细胞膜系统的转运对于植物的生长发育都是至关重要的。近年来,水通道蛋白作为调节水分的吸收与转运的关键,已成为植物营养与分子生物学特别关注和研究的热点之一。本文从水通道蛋白的种类结构,底物特异性,基因表达特征和调控机制四个方面对水通道蛋白转运水分的机理和转运水分过程中对胁迫的响应机制进行了详细阐述;从水通道蛋白的水分运输和渗透调节功能及其养分运输功能两方面说明了水通道蛋白在植物生长过程中的生理作用;阐述了光照、干旱和低温与水通道蛋白功能之间的关系,明确了水通道蛋白通过表达量的增加或者降低来响应相应环境条件的变化。【主要机理】水通道蛋白通过保持一定结构及对底物运输的特异性来实现对水分的高效运输,通过调整基因的表达量和翻译后修饰等过程实现对水分的高效转运;同时,水通道蛋白可以通过水分的运输实现植物渗透平衡的调节,对部分小分子养分的吸收等功能更是实现了对植物生理和养分吸收的调节;另外,水通道蛋白不仅可以提高植物的抗旱、抗盐能力,对低温胁迫也有一定的响应,还可以与多类逆境胁迫蛋白发生相互作用,共同调节植物的水分和渗透平衡,提高植物应对逆境胁迫的能力,表明植物水通道蛋白对非生物胁迫下的应答机制有待于进一步探索,为植物水通道蛋白的应用研究提供科学的理论支持与材料支撑。     

Silicon and plant nutrition—dynamics,mechanisms of transport and role of silicon solubilizer microbiomes in sustainable agriculture: A review

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and has numerous roles in both soils and plants, although it is inaccessible to plants in its native state (insoluble silicate minerals). This inaccessibility can lead to insufficiency, which induces anomalies in plant growth and development.Specifically, Si alleviates various biotic and abiotic stresses in plants by enhancing tolerance mechanisms at different stages of uptake/deposition as a monosilicic acid. Exclusive utiliz...     

硅对植物抗逆性作用的研究

硅对植物的生长具有促进作用，主要是提高植物的抗逆性。就硅对植物的抗旱、抗病、抗虫、抗倒伏、抗盐、抗冻和抗重金属等方面作了主要论述。     

MicroRNA调节豆科作物营养胁迫响应的研究进展

micorRNA (miRNA)是一类长度为20~24个核苷酸的非编码小RNA(small RNA,sRNA),在植物生长发育、 生物和非生物胁迫响应方面起十分重要作用。越来越多的证据表明,miRNA在植物适应养分胁迫方面起重要的调节作用。豆科植物是一类具有生物固氮能力的植物,为人类提供蛋白和食用油,显然土壤养分胁迫会抑制豆科作物生长发育而降低产量。过去数十年对于miRNA介导模式植物拟南芥和水稻养分胁迫响应的研究较多,但近年来有关豆科作物养分胁迫相关的miRNA报道在增加。近年研究结果表明,miRNA通过对靶基因的调节在豆科植物适应营养胁迫中起关键作用,如感受外界养分状态的改变及维持体内养分的动态平衡。本文综述了近年来miRNA介导豆科作物适应养分胁迫的研究进展,主要对磷、 氮、 硫、 铁、 铜、 钙等养分亏缺或毒害反应的调控,讨论了miRNA调节豆科作物适应养分胁迫的机理,并对今后豆科作物miRNA的研究做出了展望。     

植物非生物逆境相关锌指蛋白基因的研究进展

植物能够适应多种逆境主要是通过改变其基因表达和代谢途径来实现的,因此研究这些基因表达和功能对提高植物耐逆性具有重要意义。锌指蛋白是一类具有手指状结构域的转录因子,这种结构域由锌离子与多个半胱氨酸和(或)组氨酸组成,锌离子在稳定其结构和发挥调控功能方面具有关键作用。植物锌指蛋白在植物耐逆性方面具有重要作用。本文综述了近几年来从拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)、水稻(Oryza sativa)、小麦(Triticum aestivum)、番茄(Solanum lycopersicum)等植物中克隆的与非生物逆境相关锌指蛋白基因的研究成果,重点阐述了其基因表达部位、受逆境诱导情况及转基因植株的耐逆性等。目前的研究结果表明锌指蛋白能够调控耐逆相关基因的表达,在植物逆境代谢中发挥重要作用,因此可以利用锌指蛋白基因进行作物耐逆性的遗传改良,提高作物的耐逆能力。     

Growth Response and Nutrient Uptake of Eriobotrya japonica Plants Inoculated with Three Isolates of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Under Water Stress Condition

Mycorrhizal technique is a promising biotechnology in horticultural industry, benefiting plants exposed to diverse abiotic stresses. In this study, the effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Acaulospora laevis, Glomus mosseae, and Glomus caledonium on plant growth and nutrient uptake of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) seedlings under three water regimes (well watered, water stressed-slight, water stressed-heavy) were investigated. Results showed that inoculated seedlings had higher dry biomass, plant height, and total leaf areas than those un-inoculated ones. AMF effect was the greatest for water stressed-heavy seedlings, followed by water stressed-slight seedlings and well watered seedlings. All AMF species increased the uptake of nitrogen (N) potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and the mycorrhizal contributions to the nutrient uptake were positively related to that to the biomass. Data suggest that AMF inoculation increases the tolerance of loquat seedlings to drought stress, and the improved nutrient uptake by AMF contributes greatly to the tolerance.     

Seed priming and soil incorporation with silicon influence growth and yield of maize under water-deficit stress

Silicon (Si) has been known to enhance plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses besides its beneficial effects on plant growth and yield. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of Si against water-deficit stress in maize (Zea mays) applied through seed priming and soil incorporation methods, and to find out the optimum dose of Si under each method. In the seed priming experiment, seeds were exposed to different Si levels, up to 2 mM l^–1, germinating under three soil moisture regimes (100%, 75% and 50% field capacity-FC). In the soil incorporation study, the treatments included were six Si doses from 0 to 600 kg ha^–1 under the same soil moisture regimes. Grain yield was reduced by 59% and 69% in the seed priming and soil incorporation study, respectively, at 50% FC. Si application was effective irrespective of the application methods with higher cob length, 100-kernel weight and grain yield than the control. Application of Si at 1 mM l^–1 as seed priming and 300 kg ha^–1 as soil incorporation was more effective than other doses and could be recommended as optimum dose for Nakhon Sawan 3 hybrid maize variety under water-deficit stress.     

外源硅对植物抗盐性影响的研究进展

盐胁迫是世界范围内影响作物产量和品质的主要非生物胁迫之一,如何提高作物的抗盐性已经引起全世界的关注。硅 (Si) 是地壳中含量仅次于氧的第二大丰富元素。在pH值低于9的介质中,硅通常以单硅酸[Si(OH)₄]的形式被高等植物吸收。尽管目前硅仍然未被认为是植物生长的必需元素,但是作为植物生长的“有益元素”,硅可以缓解各种生物胁迫和非生物胁迫对植物生长发育的抑制。大量的研究表明硅可参与调控植物抗盐的生理生化代谢过程,并与一些信号物质,如乙烯、水杨酸和多胺等存在互作。主要进展如下:1) 植物对硅的吸收存在主动、被动和拒绝吸收三种,硅转运蛋白在硅的吸收和转运中起到非常重要的作用,但是关于该蛋白的编码基因在更多物种中的克隆和功能研究有待于进一步开展。2) 硅可以调节盐胁迫下植物体内的离子平衡,降低植物根系对盐离子的吸收和向地上部的转运,并使盐离子更均匀的分布在根系中;改善盐胁迫下根系对钙、钾、氮等营养元素的吸收,缓解盐胁迫造成的营养失调。近期一些研究表明多胺可能参与硅对根系盐离子吸收的调控。3) 硅可以通过调节水通道蛋白的表达和渗透调节物质的积累提高根系对水分的吸收和向地上部的转运,改善植株的水分状况。4) 硅可通过调节抗氧化酶活性,降低活性氧的产生和积累,同时可以缓解盐胁迫对光合器官和光合色素造成的损伤,保证盐胁迫下植物光合作用的正常进行。5) 植物耐盐的分子机制非常复杂,涉及大量基因的表达和调控以及信号转导过程,包括蛋白质组学和转录组学在内的组学研究策略为从分子水平揭示硅缓解胁迫的机理提供了有力的技术手段。转录组和蛋白质组学的研究表明硅可以通过调控转录因子、激素等相关基因的表达及蛋白的翻译和修饰来调控植物对盐胁迫的快速响应,提高植物的抗盐能力。6) 硅吸收突变体的应用有助于我们更好的了解硅在调控植物生理生化代谢中所发挥的作用。     

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria: strategies to improve abiotic stresses under sustainable agriculture

The abiotic stresses like drought, heavy metal and salts directly or indirectly influence the global environmental pollution and decrease the agricultural productivity. The stress tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role against the abiotic stresses in terms of enhancing the efficacy of soil, plant growth promotion (PGP). Stress tolerance PGPRs have certain specific PGP properties such as hormones synthesis, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, Abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis, enzymes production, nitrogen fixation, phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) solubilization, as results which protect various crops during such stress conditions and consequently enhance crop sustainability. Efficient PGPRs isolated from various stress conditions have certainly, more useful against that particular stress. This article highlighted the isolation of various stresses tolerant PGPRs from varieties of crops under different stress conditions and their effect on varieties of crops to enhance their plant growth promotion.     

Silicon-Induced Growth and Yield Enhancement in Two Wheat Genotypes Differing in Salinity Tolerance

Silicon (Si) is known to alleviate a number of abiotic stresses in higher plants including salinity stress. Two independent experiments were conducted to evaluate the role of Si in alleviating salinity stress in two contrasting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, Auqab-2000' (salt sensitive) and SARC-3 (salt tolerant). In the first experiment, genotypes were grown in hydroponics with two levels of salinity (0 and 60 mM NaCl) with and without 2 mM Si in a completely randomized design with four replications. Salinity stress significantly (P < 0.01) decreased all of the growth parameters, increased sodium (Na⁺) concentration, and decreased potassium (K⁺) concentration in shoots of both genotypes grown in hydroponics. Silicon significantly improved growth of both genotypes. The increase in growth was more prominent under salt stress (75%) than under normal condition (15%). In the second experiment, both genotypes were grown in normal [electrical conductivity (EC) = 1.23 d Sm^–1] and natural saline field (EC = 11.92 d Sm^–1) conditions with three levels of Si (0, 75, and 150 g g^–1 Si) with three replications in a randomized complete block design. Silicon significantly (P < 0.05) decreased growth reduction in both genotypes caused by salinity stress. The grain yield under salt stress decreased from 62% to 33% and from 44% to 20% of the maximum potential in Auqab-2000 and SARC-3, respectively, when 150 g g^–1 Si was used. Auqab-2000 performed better in normal field conditions, but SARC-3 produced more straw and grain yield in saline field conditions. Addition of Si significantly (P < 0.05) improved K uptake and reduced Na⁺ uptake in both of wheat genotypes and increased the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in shoot. Enhanced salinity tolerance and improved growth in wheat by Si application was attributed to decreased Na⁺ uptake, its restricted translocation toward shoots, and enhanced K⁺ uptake.     

硅增强植物重金属耐性机理研究综述

In recent years, due to excessive emission of industrial waste, wastewater irrigation, and unreasonable utilization of fertilizers, pesticides and plastic sheeting, heavy metal pollution is increasing rapidly, resulting in many environmental problems. Silicon （Si）, as the second most abundant element in the soil, can not only stimulate plant growth, but alleviate various biotic and abiotic stresses, including heavy metal stress. Here, we reviewed recent advances in the mechanisms for Si-mediated heavy metal tolerance in plants. These mechanisms included reducing active heavy metal ions in growth media, reducing heavy metal transport to the shoot, stimulating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, chelation, compartmentation, regulation of the expression of metal transport genes, and structural changes in plants. Further research orientation is also discussed.     

Effects of water and exogenous Si on element concentrations and ecological stoichiometry of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.)

Silicon (Si) is widely distributed in nature and can promote plant growth under various biotic and abiotic stresses. Drought stress seriously affects plant growth and the concentration and ecological stoichiometry of nutrients. Integrated nutrient management effectively protects plants from stresses. However, the role of water and Si availability on element concentrations and stoichiometry in plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) are unclear. Accordingly, this study observed changes in the concentration and stoichiometry of macro- and micro-elements in plantain leaves supplied with various levels of Si under variable water availabilities through a greenhouse experiment. Supplemental Si increased Si concentration of leaves under both well-watered and drought conditions. Without supplemental Si, drought conditions decreased concentrations of carbon (C), C: nitrogen (N), C: phosphorus (P), silicon (Si):N, Si:P and increased concentrations of N, P, N:P, Si:C, calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). Increased Si under water stress increased concentrations of C, C:N, C:P, Si:C, Si:N, and Si:P, and decreased concentrations of Ca²⁺, sodium (Na⁺), and Mg²⁺. These results suggested that exogenous Si changed the concentrations and ecological stoichiometry of macro- and micro-elements.     

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria-alleviators of abiotic stresses in soil: A review

With the continuous increase in human population,there is widespread usage of chemical fertilizers that are responsible for introducing abiotic stresses in agricultural crop lands.Abiotic stresses are major constraints for crop yield and global food security and therefore require an immediate response.The implementation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)into the agricultural production system can be a profitable alternative because of its efficiency in plant growth regulation and abiotic stress management.These bacteria have the potential to promote plant growth and to aid in the management of plant diseases and abiotic stresses in the soil through production of bacterial phytohormones and associated metabolites as well as through significant root morphological changes.These changes result in improved plant-water relations and nutritional status in plants and stimulate plants’defensive mechanisms to overcome unfavorable environmental conditions.Here,we describe the significance of plant-microbe interactions,highlighting the role of PGPR,bacterial phytohormones,and bacterial metabolites in relieving abiotic environmental stress in soil.Further research is necessary to gather in-depth knowledge on PGPR-associated mechanisms and plant-microbe interactions in order to pave a way for field-scale application of beneficial rhizobacteria,with the aim of building a healthy and sustainable agricultural system.Therefore,this review aims to emphasize the role of PGPR in growth promotion and management of abiotic soil stress with the goal of developing an eco-friendly and cost-effective strategy for future agricultural sustainability.     

A contemporary overview of silicon availability in agricultural soils

Our current understanding of silicon (Si) availability in agricultural soils is reviewed and knowledge gaps are highlighted. Silicon is a beneficial rather than essential plant nutrient and yield responses to its application have been frequently demonstrated in Si‐accumulator crops such as rice and sugarcane. These crops are typically grown on highly weathered (desilicated) soils where soil solution Si concentrations are low. Increased yields are the result of simultaneous increases in plant tolerance to a wide range of biotic (plant pathogens, insect pests) and abiotic (water shortage, excess salts, metal toxicities) stresses. Traditionally, soil solution Si is viewed as being supplied by dissolution of primary and secondary minerals and buffered by adsorption/desorption of silicate onto Al and Fe hydrous oxide surfaces. In recent years it has become recognized that phytogenic cycling of Si [uptake of Si by plants, formation of phytogenic silica (SiO₂ · nH₂O) mainly in leaves and subsequent return of this silica to soils in plant litter] is the main determinant of soil solution Si concentrations in natural forests and grasslands. Considerable diminution of the phytogenic Si pool in agricultural soils is likely due to regular removal of Si in harvested products. A range of extractants (unbuffered salts, acetate‐based solutions, and acids) can provide valuable information on the Si status of soils and the likelihood of a yield response in rice and sugarcane. The most common Si fertilizers used are industrial byproducts (e.g., blast furnace slag, steel slag, ferromanganous slag, Ca slag). Since agriculture promotes soil desilication and Si is presently being promoted as a broad spectrum plant prophylactic, the future use of Si in agriculture is likely to increase. Aspects that require future research include the role of specific adsorption of silicate onto hydrous oxides, the significance of phytogenic Si in agricultural soils, the extent of loss of phytogenic Si due to crop harvest, the role of hydroxyaluminosilicate formation in fertilized soils, and the effect of soil pH on Si availability.     

植物逆境microRNA的研究进展

MicroRNA（miRNA）在生物中广泛存在,在调控植物生长和发育方面起重要作用。多种非生物逆境会影响植物生长,不同逆境胁迫还会使植物相应的miRNA诱导或下调表达,有时一种miRNA会同时受几种逆境胁迫影响。本文综述了植物中参与温度、水分、盐、养分、氧化、ABA、重金属及其它非生物逆境胁迫的miRNA及其作用机制的研究进展。     

Potassium and stress alleviation: Physiological functions and management of cotton

Potassium (K) plays a major role in the basic functions of plant growth and development. In addition, K is also involved in numerous physiological functions related to plant health and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. However, K deficiency occurs widely resulting in poor growth, lost yield, and reduced fiber quality. This review describes the physiological functions of K and its role in stress relief and also provides some agronomic aspects of K requirements, diagnosis of soil and plant K status, and amelioration. The physiological processes described include enzymes and the regulation of organic‐compound synthesis, water relations and stomates, photosynthesis, transport, cell signaling, and plant response to drought stress, cold stress, salt stress, as well as biotic stresses. The agronomic aspects of K fertilization include the K requirements of cotton, K uptake, and soil characteristics, genotypic variation in K uptake and use, and characteristics of K deficiency in cotton. In addition, diagnosis and amelioration of K soil and plant status is discussed.