title: Physiological functions of beneficial elements.
abstract: Aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), sodium (Na), selenium (Se), and silicon (Si) are considered beneficial elements for plants: they are not required by all plants but can promote plant growth and may be essential for particular taxa. These beneficial elements have been reported to enhance resistance to biotic stresses such as pathogens and herbivory, and to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and nutrient toxicity or deficiency. The beneficial effects of low doses of Al, Co, Na and Se have received little attention compared to toxic effects that typically occur at higher concentrations. Better understanding of the effects of beneficial elements is important to improve crop productivity and enhance plant nutritional value for a growing world population.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. epsmits@lamar.colostate.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth A H
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Pilon-Smits
authors.forename: Colin F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Wiebke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tapken
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malagoli
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schiavon
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003035:Cobalt / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003035:Cobalt; D012964:Sodium; D000535:Aluminum; D012643:Selenium; D012825:Silicon