Benefits of silicon-enhanced root nodulation in a model legume are contingent upon rhizobial efficacy

Aims: Silicon (Si) uptake and accumulation improves plant resilience to environmental stresses, but most studies examining this functional role of Si have focussed on grasses (Poaceae) and neglected other important plant groups, such as legumes (Fabaceae). Legumes have evolved a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) housed in root nodules. Our study determined the impacts of silicon (Si) supplementation on Medicago truncatula inoculated with Ensifer meliloti rhizobial strains that differed in their capacity for nitrogen fixation: Sm1021 (‘low-efficiency’) or Sm1022 (‘high-efficiency’). Methods: We examined how Si and rhizobial efficacy influence nodule and plant functional traits, including their chemical aspects. These combinations were supplied with or without Si in a glasshouse experiment, where we quantified nodule flavonoids and foliar chemistry (free amino acids, soluble protein, elemental C, N and Si). Results: Si supply increased nodule number per plant, specific nodule flavonoid concentrations, contents of foliar nitrogenous compounds and foliar C, but not foliar Si. We also demonstrated that rhizobial efficacy altered the magnitude of Si effects on certain traits. For example, Si significantly promoted concentrations of foliar N and soluble protein in the plants associated with the ‘low-efficiency’ strain only, and this was not the case with the ‘high-efficiency’ one. Conclusions: Collectively, our study indicates that Si generates positive effects on M. truncatula, particularly when the association with rhizobia is relatively inefficient, and may play a more prominent role in rhizobial functionality than previously thought.