Leaves have evolved to effectively harvest light, and, in parallel, to balance photosynthetic
CO2 assimilation with water losses. At times, leaves must operate under light limiting …

Background Silicon and aluminium oxides make the bulk of agricultural soils. Plants absorb
dissolved silicon as silicic acid into their bodies through their roots. The silicic acid moves …

Carbon–calcium inclusions (CCaI) either as calcium oxalate crystals (CaOx) or amorphous
calcium carbonate cystoliths are spread among most photosynthetic organisms. They …

In plants, solar energy is converted into chemical energy by the complex process of
photosynthesis. Crop production is strongly dependent on the photosynthetic rates. In higher …

Background The cuticle is a protective layer playing an important role in plant defense
against biotic and abiotic stresses. So far cuticle structure and chemistry was mainly studied …

Silicon is a non-essential element for plants and is available in biota as silicic acid. Its
presence has been associated with a general improvement of plant vigour and response to …

Guanine crystals are used by certain animals, including vertebrates, to produce structural
colors or to enhance vision, because of their distinctive reflective properties. Here we use …

Ficus trees are adapted to diverse environments and have some of the highest rates of
photosynthesis among trees. Ficus leaves can deposit one or more of the three major …

Silicon dioxide in the form of hydrated silica is a component of plant tissues that can
constitute several percent by dry weight in certain taxa. Nonetheless, the mechanism of plant …

Biomineralization is a common strategy adopted by organisms to support their body
structure. Plants practice significant silicon and calcium based biomineralization in which …