A importância do silício nas relações entre herbívoros e Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae) St. Hil no cerrado

Abstract

We analyzed the effect of the silicon content in the soil to the physical defenses of Davilla elliptica St. Hil. Results show that those plants with higher silicon content in the soil, uptake and accumulate more of this element on the leaf. The higher concentration of silicon on the leaf increased the number of thricoms and hardener the leaves. The increase of both physical defenses, thricoms and leaf hardness, interfered on the feeding of its herbivores and decreased the plants herbivory.