title: Silicon addition to soybean (Glycine max L.) plants alleviate zinc deficiency.
abstract: It is well established the beneficial role of silicon (Si) in alleviating abiotic stress. However, it remains poorly understood the mechanisms of the Si-mediated protection against metal deficiency, especially the zinc (Zn) one. Recently, it has been proposed that Si may act by an interaction with this biometal in the root apoplast contributing to its movement through the plant, as in the case of Fe deficiency. In the present work, the effect of initial or continuous Si doses in soybean Zn deficient plants has been studied. For that purpose, plants grown in hydroponic culture were treated with different Si doses (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) under Zn limiting conditions. SPAD index in leaves, several growth parameters, mineral content in the whole plant and the formation of Zn pools in roots were determined. An initial addition of 0.5 mM of Si to the nutrient solution led to an enhancement of plants growth, Zn and Si content in leaves, and a higher storage of Zn in the root apoplast. The results suggest that this treatment enhanced Zn accumulation on roots and its movement to shoots when needed, mitigating Zn deficiency symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Chemistry and Bromatology Department, Francisco Tomas y Valiente Street, n 7, Autonoma University 28049, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: bla.pascual@estudiante.uam.es.
authors.forename: Ma Blanca
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Chemistry and Bromatology Department, Francisco Tomas y Valiente Street, n 7, Autonoma University 28049, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: virginia.echevarria@uam.es.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Echevarria
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Chemistry and Bromatology Department, Francisco Tomas y Valiente Street, n 7, Autonoma University 28049, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: mariajose.gonzalo@uam.es.
authors.forename: Ma José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gonzalo
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Chemistry and Bromatology Department, Francisco Tomas y Valiente Street, n 7, Autonoma University 28049, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: lourdes.hernandez@uam.es.
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hernández-Apaolaza
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012825:Silicon / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc; D012825:Silicon
keywords: Apoplast; Silicon; Soybean; Zinc deficiency; ZnSi interaction