Solid-state NMR spectroscopy of silicon-treated rice with enhanced host resistance against blast

Silicon is the second-most abundant element on the surface of the earth, and has been considered important for plant growth and development. As for its role in enhanced plant disease resistance, silicon has been reported to reinforce the physical barrier against the penetration and colonization of pathogens. Rice leaves of silicon-treated plants and control plants at the eight- and twelve-leaf growth stages were analyzed by 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to characterize the silicon-induced, cell wall fortification of rice leaves, which demonstrated an ability to counter a pathogen attack.