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Silicon-mediated resistance in maize against infection by Colletotrichum graminicola

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Abstract

Background and aims

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum graminicola, can greatly reduce yield in maize and alternatives for its management are needed. The hypothesis that maize plants with higher foliar silicon (Si) concentration will increase their resistance against anthracnose was investigated.

Methods

Plants were grown in substrate non-supplied or supplied with Si (-Si and + Si plants, respectively) and used to evaluate: (i) the photosynthetic apparatus (leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters and photosynthetic pigments concentration), (ii) the activities of defense and antioxidant enzymes and (iii) concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Results

The + Si plants showed reduced anthracnose symptoms, lower severity and less production of MDA and H2O2 due to higher foliar Si concentration compared to -Si plants. The + Si infected plants showed less impairment in photosynthesis (increased values for rate of net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance to water vapor, transpiration rate, variable-to-maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence ratio, photochemical yield and yield for dissipation by down-regulation) and showed higher concentrations of chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids compared to -Si infected plants. Activities of defense (chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenoloxidase and lipoxygenase) and antioxidative (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) enzymes were higher for infected + Si plants compared to infected -Si plants.

Conclusion

Maize supplied with Si had their resistance boosted due to a more operative defense response, a robust antioxidative metabolism and a better photosynthetic performance. Using Si to reduce anthracnose epidemic rate and yield losses should be encouraged to promote a more sustainable agriculture.

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Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Prof. Rodrigues thanks the National Council for Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) for his fellowship. Grants from FAPEMIG and CNPq supported this study. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fitopatologia, Laboratório da Interação Planta-Patógeno, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Zip Code 36570-900, Brazil

    Ana C. R. Mochko, Bruno N. Silva, Lillian M. Oliveira, Leandro C. Silva & Fabrício A. Rodrigues

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  1. Ana C. R. Mochko
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  2. Bruno N. Silva
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  3. Lillian M. Oliveira
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  4. Leandro C. Silva
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  5. Fabrício A. Rodrigues
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Correspondence to Fabrício A. Rodrigues.

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Mochko, A.C.R., Silva, B.N., Oliveira, L.M. et al. Silicon-mediated resistance in maize against infection by Colletotrichum graminicola. Plant Soil (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06586-x

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