Authors
Scott N Johnson, Susan E Hartley, James MW Ryalls, Adam Frew, Jane L DeGabriel, Michael Duncan, Andrew N Gherlenda
Publication date
2017/10
Journal
Functional Ecology
Volume
31
Issue
10
Pages
1903-1909
Description
- Ecologists have become increasingly aware that silicon uptake by plants, especially the Poaceae, can have beneficial effects on both plant growth and herbivore defence. The effects of silicon on other plant functional groups, such as nitrogen‐fixing legumes, have been less well studied. Silicon could, however, indirectly promote herbivore performance in this group if reported increases in N2 fixation caused improvements in host plant quality for herbivores.
- We tested how silicon supplementation in the legume (Medicago sativa) affected plant growth rates, root nodulation and foliage quality (silicon content and amino acid profiles) for an insect herbivore (Acyrthosiphon pisum).
- Plants supplemented with silicon (Si+) grew three times as quickly as those without supplementation (Si−), almost entirely in shoot mass. While root growth was unaffected by silicon uptake, root nodules containing nitrogen‐fixing bacteria …
Scholar articles
SN Johnson, SE Hartley, JMW Ryalls, A Frew… - Functional Ecology, 2017