Kelly C. Detmann

Silicon nutrition increases grain yield, which, in turn, exerts a feed-forward stimulation of photosynthetic rates via enhanced mesophyll conductance and alters primary metabolism in rice

Silicon (Si) is not considered to be an essential element for higher plants and is believed to have no effect on primary metabolism in unstressed plants. In rice (Oryza sativa), Si nutrition improves grain production; however, no attempt has been made to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying such responses. Here, we assessed crop yield and combined advanced gas exchange analysis with carbon isotope labelling and metabolic profiling to measure the effects of Si nutrition on rice photosynthesis, together with the associated metabolic changes, by comparing wild-type rice with the low-Si rice mutant lsi1 under unstressed conditions. Si improved the harvest index, paralleling an increase in nitrogen use efficiency. Higher crop yields associated with Si nutrition exerted a feed-forward effect on photosynthesis which was fundamentally associated with increased mesophyll conductance. By contrast, Si nutrition did not affect photosynthetic gas exchange during the vegetative growth phase or in de-grained plants. In addition, Si nutrition altered primary metabolism by stimulating amino acid remobilization. Our results indicate a stimulation of the source capacity, coupled with increased sink demand, in Si-treated plants; therefore, we identify Si nutrition as an important target in attempts to improve the agronomic yield of rice.

Silicon nutrition alleviates the negative impacts of arsenic on the photosynthetic apparatus of rice leaves: an analysis of the key limitations of photosynthesis

Silicon (Si) plays important roles in alleviating various abiotic stresses. In rice (Oryza sativa), arsenic (As) is believed to share the Si transport pathway for entry into roots, and Si has been demonstrated to decrease As concentrations. However, the physiological mechanisms through which Si might alleviate As toxicity in plants remain poorly elucidated. We combined detailed gas exchange measurements with chlorophyll fluorescence analysis to examine the effects of Si nutrition on photosynthetic performance in rice plants [a wild-type (WT) cultivar and its lsi1 mutant defective in Si uptake] challenged with As (arsenite). As treatment impaired carbon fixation (particularly in the WT genotype) that was unrelated to photochemical or biochemical limitations but, rather, was largely associated with decreased leaf conductance at the stomata and mesophyll levels. Indeed, regardless of the genotypes, in the plants challenged with As, photosynthetic rates correlated strongly with both stomatal (r(2)  = 0.90) and mesophyll (r(2)  = 0.95) conductances, and these conductances were, in turn, linearly correlated with each other. The As-related impairments to carbon fixation could be considerably reverted by Si in a time- and genotype-dependent manner. In conclusion, we identified Si nutrition as an important target in an attempt to not only decrease As concentrations but also to ameliorate the photosynthetic performance of rice plants challenged with As.

Estimation of fibrous compounds contents in ruminant feeds with bags made from different textiles

The aim of this work was to evaluate the contents of in situ indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and the fibrous particles lost in aqueous environment in some ruminant feeds by using bags made with different textiles. The physical structure of the textiles was also observed. Wheat bran (WB), soybean hulls (SH), corn silage (CS), and signal grass hay (SGH) samples were used. The bags used for rumen incubation were made of nylon (50 µm); F57 (Ankom®); and non-woven textile (NWT -100 g/m²). The feed samples were ground (1 mm) and conditioned in bags (4 × 5 cm) (six bags of each feedstuff/textile), in a ratio of 20 mg of dry matter/cm2 of surface. The bags were incubated in the rumen of a cow fed with corn silage (70%) and concentrate (30%) for 144 hours. After that, the bags were removed, cleaned with running water and treated with neutral detergent. The residue was assumed as iNDF. The iNDF contents in WB, SH and CS were similar for F57 and NWT, but lower values were obtained when nylon was used For the SGH samples, all textiles produced different results, and the lowest contents were obtained with nylon. The fibrous particle losses in the aqueous environment were evaluated by cleaning the bags in warm running water (39oC) (10 bags/textile). The loss of fibrous particles was significant for nylon. This loss was considered the cause of lower iNDF contents obtained by using nylon textile, since the microscopic evaluation did not show the occurrence of ruptures during incubation or neutral detergent extraction.

Metabolic alterations triggered by silicon nutrition: Is there a signaling role for silicon?

Although the beneficial role of silicon (Si) in stimulating the growth and development of many plants is generally accepted, our knowledge concerning the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying this response remains far from comprehensive. Considerable effort has been invested in understanding the role of Si on plant disease, which has led to several new and compelling hypotheses; in unstressed plants, however, Si is believed to have no molecular or metabolic effects. Recently, we have demonstrated that Si nutrition can modulate the carbon/nitrogen balance in unstressed rice plants. Our findings point to an important role of Si as a signaling metabolite able to promote amino acid remobilization. In this article we additionally discuss the agronomic significance of these novel observations and suggest Si nutrition as an important target in future attempts to improve yields of agronomic crops.

Photosynthetic induction and activity of enzymes related to carbon metabolism: insights into the varying net photosynthesis rates of coffee sun and shade leaves

The shade leaves of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) apparently retain a robust photosynthetic machinery that is comparable to that of sun leaves and can fix CO 2 at high rates when subjected to high light intensities. This raises the question of why the coffee plant would construct such a robust photosynthetic machinery despite the low photosynthetic rates achieved by the shade leaves at low light supply. Here, we grew coffee plants at 100% or 10% full sunlight and demonstrated that the shade leaves exhibited faster photosynthetic induction compared with their sun counterparts, in parallel with lower loss of induction states under dim light, and were well protected against short-term sudden increases in light supply (mimicking sunflecks). These findings were linked to similar photosynthetic capacities on a per mass basis (assessed under nonlimiting light), as well as similar extractable activities of some enzymes of the Calvin cycle, including Rubisco, when comparing the shade and sun leaves. On the one hand, these responses might represent an overinvestment of resources given the low photosynthetic rates of the shade leaves when light is limiting; on the other hand, such responses might be associated with a conservative behavior linked to the origin of the species as a shade-dwelling plant, allowing it to maximize the use of the energy from sunflecks and thus ultimately contributing to a positive carbon balance under conditions of intense shading.

Source strength increases with the increasing precociousness of fruit maturation in field-grown clones of conilon coffee (Coffea canephora) trees

In earlier-maturing coffee clones, owing to the shorter time required for fruit filling and ripening, photo-assimilates should be transported to fruits in a period shorter than that found in intermediate- or late-maturing clones. We hypothesised that at a given source-to-sink ratio, a presumably greater sink strength in early-maturing clones relative to intermediate- and late-maturing individuals should be correlated to increased rate of net carbon assimilation (A) and greater photo-assimilate transport to the fruits. Overall, earlier-maturing clones displayed greater A rates than the intermediate-maturing clones, which, in turn, had higher A than their late counterparts. Changes in A were largely associated with changes in stomatal conductance. Only marginal alterations occurred in the internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration ratio, the carbon isotope composition ratio, soluble sugars and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters. Some changes in starch pools were detected among treatments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing evidence that increased precociousness of fruit growth and maturation results in higher A and thus increased source strength, a fact associated to a large degree with higher stomatal aperture.

Impaired Malate and Fumarate Accumulation Due to the Mutation of the Tonoplast Dicarboxylate Transporter Has Little Effects on Stomatal Behavior

Manipulation of tonoplastic organic acid transport by inhibition of the tDT impacts mitochondrion metabolism, while the overall stomatal and photosynthetic performance is not affected. Malate is a central metabolite involved in a multiplicity of plant metabolic pathways, being associated with mitochondrial metabolism and playing significant roles in stomatal movements. Vacuolar malate transport has been characterized at the molecular level and is performed by at least one carrier protein and two channels in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) vacuoles. The absence of the Arabidopsis tonoplast Dicarboxylate Transporter (tDT) in the tdt knockout mutant was associated previously with an impaired accumulation of malate and fumarate in leaves. Here, we investigated the consequences of this lower accumulation on stomatal behavior and photosynthetic capacity as well as its putative metabolic impacts. Neither the stomatal conductance nor the kinetic responses to dark, light, or high CO2 were highly affected in tdt plants. In addition, we did not observe any impact on stomatal aperture following incubation with abscisic acid, malate, or citrate. Furthermore, an effect on photosynthetic capacity was not observed in the mutant lines. However, leaf mitochondrial metabolism was affected in the tdt plants. Levels of the intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were altered, and increases in both light and dark respiration were observed. We conclude that manipulation of the tonoplastic organic acid transporter impacted mitochondrial metabolism, while the overall stomatal and photosynthetic capacity were unaffected.

Silicon improves rice grain yield and photosynthesis specifically when supplied during the reproductive growth stage

Silicon (Si) has been recognized as a beneficial element to improve rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield. Despite some evidence suggesting that this positive effect is observed when Si is supplied along the reproductive growth stage (from panicle initiation to heading), it remains unclear whether its supplementation during distinct growth phases can differentially impact physiological aspects of rice and its yield and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we investigated the effects of additions/removals of Si at different growth stages and their impacts on rice yield components, photosynthetic performance, and expression of genes (Lsi1, Lsi2 and Lsi6) involved in Si distribution within rice shoots. Positive effects of Si on rice production and photosynthesis were manifested when it was specifically supplied during the reproductive growth stage, as demonstrated by: (1) a high crop yield associated with higher grain number and higher 1000-grain weight, whereas the leaf area and whole-plant biomass remained unchanged; (2) an increased sink strength which, in turn, exerted a feed-forward effect on photosynthesis that was coupled with increases in both stomatal conductance and biochemical capacity to fix CO2; (3) higher Si amounts in the developing panicles (and grain husks) in good agreement with a remarkable up-regulation of Lsi6 (and to a lesser extent Lsi1). We suggest that proper levels of Si in these reproductive structures seem to play an as yet unidentified role culminating with higher grain number and size.

Evaluation of sodium sulfite and protein correction in analyses of fibrous compounds in tropical forages

The objective of this study was to evaluate the contents of fibrous compounds in tropical grasses and legumes according to utilization of sodium sulfite in the neutral detergent solution or using a procedure for contaminant protein correction. Samples of ten grasses and ten legumes were used. The contents of neutral detergent fiber were decreased when sodium sulfite was used; however, more prominent reductions were verified in legumes. Sodium sulfite decreased the acid detergent fiber content in both forage groups. The contents of neutral and acid detergent insoluble protein and lignin were reduced by sodium sulfite in legumes, but no effect was observed in grasses with regard to these variables. The decrease in fiber contents in legumes could be explained by the solubilization of lignin and decrease in insoluble nitrogen. However, the decreases in fiber in grasses could not be solely explained by the decrease in contaminant protein and solubilization of lignin, and loss of other fibrous compounds probably occurred. The utilization of sodium sulfite compromises the accuracy of the estimates of fibrous compounds contents in tropical forages. The precision of the estimates were not relevantly increased by sodium sulfite. The correction of insoluble fibrous compounds for protein is suggested instead of using sodium sulfite because there are no modifications on neutral detergent solution or undesirable solubilization of fibrous compounds.

Evaluation of methods for the quantification of ether extract contents in forage and cattle feces

The objective of this study was to compare the estimates of ether extract (EE) contents obtained by the Randall method and by the high-temperature method of the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS; Am 5-04) in forages (n = 20) and cattle feces (n = 15). The EE contents were quantified by using the Randall extraction or AOCS method and XT4 filter bags or cartridges made of qualitative filter paper (80 g/m²) as containers for the samples. It was also evaluated the loss of particles, and concentration of residual chlorophyll after extraction and the recovery of protein and minerals in the material subjected to extraction. Significant interaction was observed between extraction method and material for EE contents. The EE estimates using the AOCS method were higher, mainly in forages. No loss of particles was observed with different containers. The chlorophyll contents in the residues of cattle feces were not affected by the extraction method; however, residual chlorophyll was lower using the AOCS method in forages. There was complete recovery of the protein and ash after extraction. The results suggest that AOCS method produces higher estimates of EE contents in forages and cattle feces, possibly by providing greater extraction of non-fatty EE.