Phytolith Content Negatively Affects Forage Quality of Eragrostis curvula (Schrad. ) Nees

GALLARDO, J; DIAZ M; CARBALLO J; GARAYALDE A ; ECHENIQUE, V

Agronomy

MDPI

Año: 2023

2073-4395

Phytoliths are intra and extracellular siliceousdeposits present in different plant tissues. Si uptake and transport aremediated by Lsi genes and itsconcentration is associated with forage quality. Our objective was to determinethe phytolith content in seven Eragrostiscurvula genotypes at the outbreak and re-growth stages to assess itsrelationship with the forage quality parameters and perform a genome-wideanalysis to detect the presence/absence of Lsigenes. The mean values of the phytolith content of dry matter varied between 1.94–2.26%and 2.72–4.71% at the outbreak and re-growth stages, respectively, with highlysignificant differences among the genotypes and phenological stages. A highlynegative correlation was observed in the phytolith content and in vitro drymatter digestibility and crude protein, revealing its importance as a selectionparameter in breeding programs. A positive correlation was obtained between thephytolith content and lignin, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergentfiber. The main morphotypes of the phytoliths included saddle-shaped, bulliform,and acicular cells. Genes Lsi1, Lsi2,Lsi3, and Lsi6, previously reportedin silica uptake, were identified and compared with related species, being thegene sequences highly conserved, meaning that its accumulation is probably dueto differences in the gene expression or different allelic variants amongcultivars.