Effect of Moisture Stress on Leaf Silicification of Three Tropical Fodder Grass Species (Pennisetum purpureum, Panicum maximum Cv. C1 and P. maximum Jacq.) In Republic of Benin (West Africa)

Silica accumulation in plants was found to be influenced by environmental factors and growth conditions. But, the processes and patterns were reported to be extremely complex. To examine whether inter-specific variations in silica concentration and other traits and relationships exist in response to moisture stress, we created different moisture levels in 3 tropical fodder grass species (Pennisetum purpureum, Panicum maximum cv. C1 and P. maximum Jacq.) by watering pots every 3 days (moisture-stressed) or every day (control), from January 4 to March 15, 2002. Leaf biomass of all species was decreased in response to moisture stress and leaves were yellow and wilted. A lower leaf biomass under moisture stress was associated with blades of higher specific leaf area and water content and lower silica concentration in P. purpureum but not in the Panicum accessions. Silica concentration ranged from 2.03% to 5.2% in blades and from 1.95% to 3.4% in sheaths. P. maximum C1 had the lowest values, while P. purpureum showed the highest values. Increased silica deposition in well watered plants may result from higher transpiration rates. Silica was highly correlated with soluble ash in both species.

Source de publication: American Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 2010, 8(5): 530-537

Contacts du ou des auteurs: KINDOMIHOU Valentin (vkindomihou@yahoo.fr), MEERTS Pierre, KJELGREN Roger, SINSIN Brice