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Silicon relieves aluminum‐induced inhibition of cell elongation in rice root apex by reducing the deposition of aluminum in the cell wall

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Abstract

Background and aims

Silicon (Si) is known to alleviate aluminum (Al) toxicity in a number of plant species; however, the mechanisms of Si-triggered Al detoxification have not been elucidated, especially in rice (Oryza sativa). We investigated the interactions between Si and Al in root and the role of cell wall polysaccharides in rice resistance to Al.

Methods

Rice seedlings were grown in 0.5 mM CaCl2 solution with or without 50 µM Al and 1.0 mM H4SiO4 for 24 h. The cell expansion and oxidative injury of root were measured by histochemical analyses; Al accumulation and distribution in root apices were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); the degree of pectin methylesterification was analyzed by immunofluorescence, and the expression of genes (e.g. OsPME) related to Al resistance was measured by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

Si relieved the inhibition of cell elongation and oxidative injury caused by Al and significantly reduced Al content (by about 41 %) in cell wall (CW). Meanwhile, Si inhibited pectin methylesterase (PME) activity and its gene expression, thereby increasing the degree of pectin methylesterification, and reduced the content of hemicellulose, which was the main binding site for Al in CW, under Al stress. Furthermore, Si decreased the non-exchangeable Al fraction of CW in root, but did not change the cation exchange capacity of CW.

Conclusions

Si reduces the deposition of Al in the cell wall of rice root apex by decreasing both the degree of pectin demethylesterification and the content of hemicellulose, thereby alleviating Al stress.

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Data availability

All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the paper and within its supplementary materials published online.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Approved No. 31772387).

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  1. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China

    Zhuoxi Xiao, Guochao Yan, Mujun Ye & Yongchao Liang

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  1. Zhuoxi Xiao
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  2. Guochao Yan
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ZXX and YCL designed the research plan; ZXX, GCY and MJY performed the research; ZXX analyzed the date. ZXX and YCL wrote the article. All authors read and approved the final article.

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Correspondence to Yongchao Liang.

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Xiao, Z., Yan, G., Ye, M. et al. Silicon relieves aluminum‐induced inhibition of cell elongation in rice root apex by reducing the deposition of aluminum in the cell wall. Plant Soil 462, 189–205 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04850-y

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