Bibliothèque de L'IMIST/CNRST

Silicon (Si) plays a significant role in the resistance of plants to multiple stresses including biotic and abiotic stresses. Silicon is also the only element that does not damage plants when accumulated in excess. However, the contribution of Si to plant growth has been largely ignored due to its universal existence in the earth's crust. From numerous intensive studies on Si, initiated in Japan about 80 years ago, Japanese scientists realized that Si was important for the healthy growth of rice and for stability of rice production. In a worldwide first, silicon was recognized as a valuable fertilizer in Japan. The beneficial effects of Si on rice growth in particular, are largely attributable to the characteristics of a silica gel that is accumulated on the epidermal tissues in rice. These effects are expressed most clearly under high-density cultivation systems with heavy applications of nitrogen. Si is therefore recognized now as an ''agronomically essential element'' in Japan. Recently, Si has become globally important because it generates resistance in many plants to diseases and pests, and may contribute to reduced rates of application of pesticides and fungicides. Silicon is also now considered as an environment-friendly element. The achievements of Si research in Japan are introduced in this book, in relation to soils, fertilizers and plant nutrition.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-274).

Description based on print version record.

Cover -- Preface -- Table of Contents -- Chapter 1. Brief history of silicon research in Japan -- Chapter 2. Silicon sources for agriculture -- 2.1. Silicon supply for paddy rice from natural sources -- 2.2. Silicon supply from organic and inorganic fertilizers -- Chapter 3. Silicon in soil -- 3.1. Behavior of silicon in paddy soil -- 3.2. Estimating the silicon-supplying capacity of paddy soils -- 3.3. Environmental factors controlling the availability of silicon for rice plants in paddy soils -- 3.4. Balance sheet of silicon in paddy soil-past and present -- Chapter 4. Effect of silicate fertilizer application on paddy rice -- 4.1. Criteria for predicting silicate fertilizer requirement for paddy rice -- 4.2. Field experiments on the effects of silicate fertilizer application -- 4.3. Effect of calcium in slags on silicon uptake by rice -- Chapter 5. Silicon-accumulating plants in the plant kingdom -- 5.1. Criteria for discriminating Si-accumulating plants from non-accumulating plants -- 5.2. Characteristics of silicon accumulators and their distribution in plant kingdom -- 5.3. Variety difference in silicon content in the Si-accumulating and intermediate-type species -- Chapter 6. Silicon uptake and accumulation in plants -- 6.1. Three modes of uptake for silicon -- 6.2. Characteristics of Si uptake by rice -- 6.3. Roles of root hairs and lateral roots in silicon uptake -- 6.4. Genotypical difference in silicon uptake -- 6.5. A rice mutant defective in silicon uptake -- 6.6. Similar mode of uptake for silicon and germanium -- 6.7. Chemical form and accumulation process of silicon in rice -- Chapter 7. Functions of silicon in plant growth -- 7.1. Beneficial effects of silicon on plant growth -- 7.2. Functions of silicon -- 7.3. Working process of beneficial effects of silicon on plant growth -- Chapter 8 Summary and prospect of silicon research -- 8.1. Major achievements and prospect of research on silicon in soil -- 8.2. Major achievements and prospect of research on silicon fertilizer -- 8.3. Major achievements and prospect of research on silicon in plants -- Chapter 9 Silicon research in the world -- 9.1. Effect of silicon on crop production -- 9.2. Role of silicon in disease and pest control -- 9.3. Alleviative effect of silicon on abiotic stresses -- Appendix -- Appendix 1. SiO2 concentration of 380 river waters -- Appendix 2. Survey on SiO2 contents in flag leaf of rice plants -- Appendix 3. Si content of vascular plants -- Appendix 4. Si content of barley grain -- References -- Index -- Last Page.