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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgment

This study was funded by Innovative Group Grant 31121062 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (G30170550). We thank Dr. D. Zhang, Ms. H. Zhou, Ms. F. Hao and Mr. Y. Yan for their kind helps in preparing the samples and conducting the microanalysis with the SEM-EDX-ray and TEM-EDX-ray. We also thank Dr. Y. Lu and Dr. A. Henry for their help in correcting English writing. The English in this document has been checked by at least two professional editors, both are native English speakers. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers for their comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Nutrition, Centre for Resource, Environment and Food Security, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Chaochun Zhang & Fusuo Zhang

  2. College of Resourses and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People’s Republic of China

    Lijun Wang

  3. Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Wenxu Zhang

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  1. Chaochun Zhang
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  2. Lijun Wang
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  3. Wenxu Zhang
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  4. Fusuo Zhang
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Correspondence to Chaochun Zhang.

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Responsible Editor: Philip John White.

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Zhang, C., Wang, L., Zhang, W. et al. Do lignification and silicification of the cell wall precede silicon deposition in the silica cell of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaf epidermis?. Plant Soil 372, 137–149 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1723-z

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