When resistance is futile, tolerate instead: silicon promotes plant compensatory growth when attacked by above- and belowground herbivores.

ABSTRACT: Plants have evolved numerous herbivore defences that are resistance- or tolerance-based. Resistance involves physical and chemical traits that deter and/or harm herbivores whereas tolerance minimizes fitness costs of herbivory, often via compensatory growth. The Poaceae frequently accumulate large amounts of silicon (Si), which can be used for herbivore resistance, including biomechanical and (indirectly) biochemical defences. To date, it is unclear whether Si improves tolerance of herbivory. Here we report how Si enabled a cereal (Triticum aestivum) to tolerate damage inflicted by above- and belowground herbivores. Leaf herbivory increased Si concentrations in the leaves by greater than 50% relative to herbivore-free plants, indicating it was an inducible defensive response. In plants wit

SUBMITTER: Johnson SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6684990 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature