Physiological and ecological significance of biomineralization in plants

• Published in: Trends in plant science Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 166 - 174
• Main Authors: He, Honghua, Veneklaas, Erik J., Kuo, John, Lambers, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2014
• Subjects: aluminum; biomineralization; calcium; Calcium - metabolism; calcium carbonate; calcium oxalate; carbon cycle; carbon dioxide; chemical composition; crystals; Ecology; germination; heavy metals; herbivores; photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - physiology; Plants - metabolism; pollen; silica; silicon

•Biomineralization in plants has multiple diverse functions.•Regulation of cytoplasmic free Ca levels and detoxification of Al and heavy metals.•Gathering and scattering light; aiding pollen release and germination.•Herbivore deterrence.•Biogeochemical cycling of C, Ca, and Si. Biomineralization is...