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<p>Drought stress reduces root hydraulic conductivity and disrupts root–soil contact, impairing rhizosphere function and plant productivity. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) on nutrient uptake, rhizosphere chemistry, and root morphological traits in wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) under progressive soil drying.&#xa0;A factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted with three Si levels (0, 150, 300&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹ as monosilicic acid), two Zn levels (0, 3&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹), and two soil moisture regimes (0.4 and 0.8 field capacity, FC). Measurements included leaf and soil nutrient concentrations, rhizosphere pH, plant water status, and root traits such as rhizosheath development and root hair length and density.&#xa0;Drought (0.4 FC) significantly decreased leaf concentrations of phosphorus (–16.97%), potassium (–19.33%), sulfur (–7.24%), iron (–9.08%), zinc (–11.04%), copper (–25.83%), and manganese (–17.45%) compared with well-watered conditions. Application of Si or Zn mitigated these reductions in a nutrient-specific manner by enhancing rhizosphere nutrient availability, water uptake, and root functional traits. Enhanced rhizosheath formation, longer and denser root hairs, and increased carbon-rich rhizodeposition were associated with increased nutrient availability and uptake during drought. Both elements also modulated rhizosphere pH and leaf water content.&#xa0;Our study revealed that the application of Si and Zn in drought-stressed wheat improved nutrient acquisition. This effect was achieved through alterations in rhizosphere chemistry and root traits, particularly by enhancing rhizosheath formation and root hair development. These changes increased nutrient availability in the rhizosphere, sustained water uptake, and improved leaf water status under limited soil moisture.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Modulation of Rhizosphere and Soil–plant–water Relations by Silicon and Zinc Improves Nutrient Acquisition in Drought-stressed Wheat

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月27日

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  • Meysam Cheraghi,
  • Seyed Majid Mousavi,
  • Babak Motesharezadeh,
  • Majid Basirat,
  • Hossein Ali Alikhani,
  • Mohsen Zarebanadkouki

摘要

Drought stress reduces root hydraulic conductivity and disrupts root–soil contact, impairing rhizosphere function and plant productivity. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) on nutrient uptake, rhizosphere chemistry, and root morphological traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under progressive soil drying. A factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted with three Si levels (0, 150, 300 mg kg⁻¹ as monosilicic acid), two Zn levels (0, 3 mg kg⁻¹), and two soil moisture regimes (0.4 and 0.8 field capacity, FC). Measurements included leaf and soil nutrient concentrations, rhizosphere pH, plant water status, and root traits such as rhizosheath development and root hair length and density. Drought (0.4 FC) significantly decreased leaf concentrations of phosphorus (–16.97%), potassium (–19.33%), sulfur (–7.24%), iron (–9.08%), zinc (–11.04%), copper (–25.83%), and manganese (–17.45%) compared with well-watered conditions. Application of Si or Zn mitigated these reductions in a nutrient-specific manner by enhancing rhizosphere nutrient availability, water uptake, and root functional traits. Enhanced rhizosheath formation, longer and denser root hairs, and increased carbon-rich rhizodeposition were associated with increased nutrient availability and uptake during drought. Both elements also modulated rhizosphere pH and leaf water content. Our study revealed that the application of Si and Zn in drought-stressed wheat improved nutrient acquisition. This effect was achieved through alterations in rhizosphere chemistry and root traits, particularly by enhancing rhizosheath formation and root hair development. These changes increased nutrient availability in the rhizosphere, sustained water uptake, and improved leaf water status under limited soil moisture.

Graphical Abstract