Interplay between silica deposition and viability during the life span of sorghum silica cells

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.14867
• Publication Date: 2017-10-23T09:28:40Z
• Authors: Santosh Kumar; Rivka Elbaum
• Keywords: Silicic acid; Biogenic silica; Viability assay

Summary Silica cells are specialized epidermal found on both surfaces of grass leaves, with almost the entire lumen filled solid silica. The mechanism precipitating silicic acid into silica is not known. Here we investigate this process in sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) leaves. Using fluorescent confocal microscopy, followed cells’ ontogeny, aiming to understand fate vacuoles and nuclei. Correlating scanning electron timed initiation deposition relation cell's viability. Contrary earlier reports, did lose their nucleus before deposition. Vacuoles concentrate acid. Instead, postmaturation silicification initiated at cell periphery live cells. Less than 1% showed characteristics programmed death maturation zone. In fully elongated mature 2.4% were nonsilicified 1.6% partially silicified. occurs paramural space mineral does kill genetically undergo independent silicification. Fully silicified seem have voids containing membrane remains after completion processes.