Do lignification and silicification of the cell wall precede silicon deposition in the silica cell of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaf epidermis?

• Published in: Plant and soil Vol. 372; no. 1/2; pp. 137 - 149
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chaochun, Wang, Lijun, Zhang, Wenxu, Zhang, Fusuo
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.11.2013; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell differentiation; Cell walls; Cells; Developmental stages; Diatoms; Ecology; Epidermal cells; Epidermis; Flowers & plants; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Leaf blade; Leaves; Life Sciences; lignification; Oryza sativa; Physiological aspects; Phytochemistry; Plant cell walls; Plant cells; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plants; Regular Article; Rice; roots; shoots; Silica; Silicon; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; China; Silicon deposition; Silica cell; Lignification; Cell wall; Silicification; Silica body; Monocotyledones; Silica; Cereal crop; Inorganic compound; Oryza sativa; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Silicon; C3-Type; Cell; Deposition; Non metal; Vegetals; Epidermis; Plant leaf; Silicon compound; Mineral matter; Vegetative apparatus; Spermatophyta; Soil plant relation
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-013-1723-z

Aims Rice is a well-known silica-accumulating plant. The dumbbell-shaped silica bodies in the silica cells in rice leaf epidermis are formed via biosilicification, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Methods Leaves at different developmental stages were collected to investigate silica cell differentiation by analyzing structures and silicon localization in the silica cells. Results Exogenous silicon application increased both shoot and root biomass. When silicon was supplied, silica cells in the leaf epidermis developed gradually into a dumbbell-shape and became increasingly silicified as leaves aged. Silicon deposition in the silica cells was not completed until the leaf was fully expanded. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that lignification of silica cell walls precedes silicon deposition in the lumen of silica cells. The organized needle-like silica microstructures were formed by moulding the inner cell walls and filling up the lumen of the silica cell following leaf maturation. Conclusions Two processes were involved in silicon deposition: (1) the silica cell wall was lignified and silicified, and then (2) the silicon was deposited gradually in silica cells as leaves aged. Silica body formation was not completed until the leaf was fully mature.