The effect of abiotic stresses on plant C:N:P homeostasis and their mitigation by silicon

In crop plants, various environmental stresses affect the balance of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus(C:N:P), leading to biochemical and physiological alterations and reductions in yield. Silicon(Si) is a beneficial element that alleviates plant stress. Most studies involving silicon have focused on physiological responses, such as improvements in photosynthetic processes, water use efficiency, and antioxidant defense systems. But recent research suggests that stressed plants facing either limited or excessive resources(water, light, nutrients, and toxic elements), strategically employ Si to maintain C:N:P homeostasis, thereby minimizing biomass losses. Understanding the role of Si in mitigating the impact of abiotic stresses on plants by regulating C:N:P homeostasis holds great potential for advancing sustainable agricultural practices in crop production. This review presents recent advances in characterizing the influence of environmental stresses on C:N:P homeostasis, as well as the role of Si in preserving C:N:P equilibrium and attenuating biological damage associated with abiotic stress. It underscores the beneficial effects of Si in sustaining C:N:P homeostasis and increasing yield via improved nutritional efficiency and stress mitigation.

Identification and evaluation of high nitrogen nutrition efficiency in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)germplasm

To establish identification and evaluation methods of N(nitrogen)absorption and utilization of rapeseed(Brassica napus L.),difference of N nutrition efficiency(NNE)among rapeseed germplasms and relationship between NNE and plant traits under various N application rates were analyzed in this research.Pot cultivating experiments were conducted to investigate NNE with 3 N application rates in soil(0.05,0.2 and 0.3 g/kg).A total of 12 rapeseed germplasms were planted,nitrogen absorption efficiency(NAE)and nitrogen utilization efficiency(NUE)in seedling stage,bolting stage,initial flowering stage,final flowering stage,and maturity stage were obtained.Results showed that bolting stage was the best period for NAE identification and evaluation.Low N application rate in soil(0.05 g/kg)was the best for NAE,and the indirect indexes were basal stem diameter,plant root dry weight and above ground plant dry weight.Maturity stage was the best period for NUE identification and evaluation.High N application rate in soil(0.3 g/kg)was the best for NUE,and indirect indexes were above ground plant dry weight and basal stem diameter.N application rates of 0.05 g/kg in soil was the best for nitrogen harvest index at maturity stage,and indirect indexes was number of pods per plant.Plant traits of rapeseed germplasms affected NNE.Higher basal stem diameter,plant root dry weight and above ground plant dry weight at bolting stage under low N application rate were important characteristics of N absorption in rapeseed.Higher above ground plant dry weight and basal stem diameter at maturity stage under high N application rate were important characteristics of N utilization.Higher number of pods per plant at maturity stage under lowe N application rate was an important characteristic of N harvest index.These results provided a reliable index for N management and provided theoretical basis for guiding rapeseed breeding.