title: Silicon availability modifies nutrient use efficiency and content, C:N:P stoichiometry, and productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
abstract: Silicon (Si) is known as beneficial element for graminaceous plants. The importance of Si for plant functioning of cereals was recently emphasized. However, about the effect of Si availability on biomass production, grain yield, nutrient status and nutrient use efficiency for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), as one of the most important crop plants worldwide, less is known so far. Consequently, we assessed the effect of a broad range of supply levels of amorphous SiO2on wheat plant performance. Our results revealed that Si is readily taken up and accumulated basically in aboveground vegetative organs. Carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) status of plants were altered in response to varying Si supply. In bulk straw biomass C concentration decreased with increasing Si supply, while P concentration increased from slight limitation towards optimal nutrition. Thereby, aboveground biomass production increased at low to medium supply levels of silica whereas grain yield increased at medium supply level only. Nutrient use efficiency was improved by Si insofar that biomass production was enhanced at constant nitrogen (N) status of substrate and plants. Consequently, our findings imply fundamental influences of Si on C turnover, P availability and nitrogen use efficiency for wheat as a major staple crop.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 19, 01737 Tharandt, Germany.
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neu
authors.affiliation: Environmental Geochemistry, Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 19, 01737 Tharandt, Germany.|Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany.
authors.forename: E Gert
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Dudel
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D000069599:Crop Production / Q000379:methods; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D012825:Silicon