Time to prime: using silicon to activate grass resistance under higher CO2

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This project aims to deliver insight into how CO2 affects defence trade-offs in Australian grasses and establish if silicon (Si) supplementation with an industrial by-product restores resistance. Grasses contain more Si than nearly any other plant, resulting in multiple beneficial functions, including increasing resistance to disease and herbivory. However, increasing atmospheric CO2 reduces Si uptake in some grasses and frequently compromises plant defensive responses/signalling to herbivore attack. A key outcome will be identifying and maximising silicon-based resistance in vulnerable grasses against the threat of climate change and invasive herbivores. This will provide benefits such as increased productivity of Australian grasslands using a pollution-free, broad-spectrum and environmentally safer pest control approach.