Silicon by Modifying C:N:P Stoichiometry Sugarcane Tolerance to Abiotic Stress

Abstract

The impact of anthropogenic climate change is affecting both natural and managed ecosystems. Climate variables that interact with each other (e.g., temperature, water availability, atmospheric CO2 levels), potentially affecting nutrient uptake and crop productivity that could causing yield losses with serious consequences for worldwide food availability. As a beneficial element, silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust; however, it is often not readily available for plant uptake. Therefore, Si fertilization may be necessary in weathered soils, especially for Si-accumulating plants such as sugarcane. The majority of studies on plant ecological stoichiometry focus on elemental C, N and P contents, ratios, and relationships within and across plant organs in a changing world. Although several studies have reported that Si application could stimulate plant growth and mitigate multiple stresses, the effects of Si on carbon immobilization, 708nutrients uptake, and the C:N:P:Si stoichiometry into sugarcane plant remain poorly understood. This chapter highlights our current understanding on the main mechanisms of silicon-alleviates abiotic stress in plants, their ability on nutrient uptake, nutrient accumulation, nutrient use efficiency, C:N:P:Si stoichiometry, as well as physiological and productive parameters of sugarcane in terrestrial agroecosystems. The major points are the following: (1) silicon addition on C:N:P:Si stoichiometry, nutritional efficiency, and plant growth of sugarcane under different water availability and (2) Si supplied via nutrient solution, foliar or fertirrigation on nutritional imbalance, antioxidant defense system, and physiological and biochemical mechanisms of sugarcane.