1
|
Wu Q, Xie J, Li J, Men Y, Yan F. Engineering Rapeseed Germination and Root Growth with Mechanical Strength of Polysaccharide Hydrogel. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3496-3505. [PMID: 38708935 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Plant roots are highly sensitive to physical stress in the soil, with appropriate mechanical impedance promoting root elongation and lateral root growth. However, few studies have quantitatively explored the relationship between the mechanical impedance of the growth medium and the phenotypes of plant roots. In this study, we used a tensile machine equipped with a self-made steel needle mimicking the root tip to measure the force needed to penetrate the hydrogel medium (agar, low acyl gellan gum, and κ-carrageenan), providing insights into the force required for the rapeseed root tip to enter the medium following germination. These findings indicate that root penetration length is inversely associated with the mechanical strength of the growth medium, with variations observed in the root system adaptability across different substrates. Specifically, when the gel puncture resistance of the culture medium without adding MS reached approximately 18.4 mN, root penetration and growth were significantly hindered. With the addition of 1/2 MS medium, the polysaccharide concentration is 1.0 wt %, which is more suitable for cultivating rapeseed. This research not only offers a method for quantifying root phenotypes and medium mechanical impedance but also presents an approach for plant growth regulation and crop breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiye Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jinchun Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Junfu Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yongjun Men
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Feng Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies College of Chemistry, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Soft Material and New Energy, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen W, Chen Y, Siddique KH, Li S. Root penetration ability and plant growth in agroecosystems. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 183:160-168. [PMID: 35605464 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Root penetration ability is critical for plant growth and development. When roots encounter soil impedance, hormones are activated that affect cells and tissues, leading to changes in root morphology and configuration that often increase root penetration ability. Factors, such as root system architecture, root anatomic traits, rhizosphere exudation and root-induced phytohormones, influencing root penetration ability and how they affect plant performance under soil impedance were summarized. Root penetration ability affects plant capturing water and nutrients, and thus determines plant performance and productivity in adverse environments. Great efforts have been made in searching for the underlying mechanisms of root penetration ability, and tools have been developed for phenotyping variability in root penetration ability. Therefore, with the continued development of agroecosystems based on the advocated low input costs and controlled tillage, crops or genotypes of a crop species with stronger root penetration ability may have the potential for developing new varieties with enhanced adaptation and grain yield under mechanical impedance in soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Yinglong Chen
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, And School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6155, Australia
| | - Kadambot Hm Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, And School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6155, Australia
| | - Shiqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang X, Shen J, Hedden P, Phillips AL, Thomas SG, Ge Y, Ashton RW, Whalley WR. Wheat growth responses to soil mechanical impedance are dependent on phosphorus supply. SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH 2021; 205:104754. [PMID: 33390631 PMCID: PMC7729824 DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2020.104754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Increased mechanical impedance induced by soil drying or compaction causes reduction in plant growth and crop yield. However, how mechanical impedance interacts with nutrient stress has been largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of mechanical impedance on the growth of wheat seedlings under contrasting phosphorus (P) supply in a sand culture system which allows the mechanical impedance to be independent of water and nutrient availability. Two wheat genotypes containing the Rht-B1a (tall) or Rht-B1c (gibberellin-insensitive dwarf) alleles in the Cadenza background were used and their shoot and root traits were determined. Mechanical impedance caused a significant reduction in plant growth under sufficient P supply, including reduced shoot and root biomass, leaf area and total root length. By contrast, under low P supply, mechanical impedance did not affect biomass, tiller number, leaf length, and nodal root number in both wheat genotypes, indicating that the magnitude of the growth restriction imposed by mechanical impedance was dependent on P supply. The interaction effect between mechanical impedance and P level was significant on most plant traits except for axial and lateral root length, suggesting an evident physical and nutritional interaction. Our findings provide valuable insights into the integrated effects of plants in response to both soil physical and nutritional stresses. Understanding the response patterns is critical for optimizing soil tillage and nutrient management in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Plant Nutrition, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MoE, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Jianbo Shen
- Department of Plant Nutrition, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MoE, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Peter Hedden
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Botany & Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Yaoxiang Ge
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
- College of Biology and Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, 537000, PR China
| | - Rhys W. Ashton
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
EL Amrani B, Amraoui MB. Biomechanics of Atlas Cedar Roots in response to the Medium Hydromechanical Characteristics. SCIENTIFICA 2020; 2020:7538698. [PMID: 32908784 PMCID: PMC7474391 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7538698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The biomechanical root flexibility in response to hydromechanical soil heterogeneity is the most determining factor of the root architecture which plays a paramount role in mycorrhizal infection and allows the seedlings to adapt to the environmental constraint. We examined the impact of five different hydromechanical medium properties (hydroponics, vermiculite, vermiculite-gravel, sawdust, and sand) on the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of Cedrus atlantica seedlings at a controlled growth chamber. The growth of the seedling is strongly stimulated by the hydroponic medium through the stimulation of the aerial part dry weight and the main root length. However, the sand medium increases the main root dry weight by the radial expanse stimulation at the level of the epidermis, vascular cylinder, and cortex and compensates the less root architecture by the stimulation of the xylem and phloem areas. In contrast to sand and hydroponic media, the sawdust medium stimulates the phloem/xylem ratio, the root architecture, and the short roots. The Pearson bilateral correlation shows that the aerial part dry weight is positively correlated with the permeability, porosity, and water-holding capacity and negatively with the bulk density and density at saturation, whereas the short root production is negatively correlated with the permeability and water-holding capacity. Hence, the hydromechanical characteristics of the soils must be taken into account in the reforestation and mycorrhization attempts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belkacem EL Amrani
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Food and Health (LBEFH), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas, Fez, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Bendriss Amraoui
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Food and Health (LBEFH), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas, Fez, Morocco
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ge Y, Hawkesford M, Rosolem C, Mooney S, Ashton R, Evans J, Whalley W. Multiple abiotic stress, nitrate availability and the growth of wheat. SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH 2019; 191:171-184. [PMID: 31379399 PMCID: PMC6559134 DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the field, wheat experiences a combination of physical and nutrient stresses. There has been a tendency to study root impedance and water stress in separation and less is known about how they might interact. In this study, we investigated the effect of root impedance on the growth of three wheat varieties (Cadenza, Xi19 and Battalion) at different levels of nitrate availability, from 0-20 mM nitrate, in sand culture. This model system allows soil strength to be increased while maintaining adequate water availability. In a separate pot experiment, we grew the same wheat varieties in a loamy sand where soil was allowed to dry sufficiently to both reduce water potential and increase root impedance. This pot experiment also had a range of nitrate availabilities 0-20 mM nitrate. Once the seedlings were established we limited water supply to apply a matric potential of approximately -200 kPa to the roots. Soil drying increased the penetrometer resistance from approximately 300 kPa to more than 1 MPa. There were differences between the two experimental systems; growth was smaller in the soil-based experiment compared to the sand culture. However, the effects of the experimental treatment, root impedance or water withholding, relative to the control were comparable. Our data confirmed that leaf elongation in Cadenza (carrying the tall Rht allele) was the most sensitive to root impedance. Leaf stunting occurred irrespective of nitrate availability. Leaf elongation in the Xi19 and Battalion (carrying the semi-dwarf Rht allele) was less sensitive to root impedance and drought than Candenza. We suggest that the critical stress in a pot experiment where the soil was allowed to dry to approximately -200 kPa was root impedance and not water availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y. Ge
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - S.J. Mooney
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, PC, United Kingdom
| | - R.W. Ashton
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - J. Evans
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - W.R. Whalley
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hosseini F, Mosaddeghi MR, Dexter AR, Sepehri M. Maize water status and physiological traits as affected by root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica under combined drought and mechanical stresses. PLANTA 2018; 247:1229-1245. [PMID: 29453661 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-2861-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Under combined drought and mechanical stresses, mechanical stress primarily controlled physiological responses of maize. Piriformospora indica mitigated the adverse effects of stresses, and inoculated maize experienced less oxidative damage and had better adaptation to stressful conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of maize root colonization by an endophytic fungus P. indica on plant water status, physiological traits and root morphology under combined drought and mechanical stresses. Seedlings of inoculated and non-inoculated maize (Zea mays L., cv. single cross 704) were cultivated in growth chambers filled with moistened siliceous sand at a matric suction of 20 hPa. Drought stress was induced using PEG 6000 solution with osmotic potentials of 0, - 0.3 and - 0.5 MPa. Mechanical stress (i.e., penetration resistances of 1.05, 4.23 and 6.34 MPa) was exerted by placing weights on the surface of the sand medium. After 30 days, leaf water potential (LWP) and relative water content (RWC), root and shoot fresh weights, root volume (RV) and diameter (RD), leaf proline content, leaf area (LA) and catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were measured. The results show that exposure to individual drought and mechanical stresses led to higher RD and proline content and lower plant biomass, RV and LA. Moreover, increasing drought and mechanical stress severity increased APX activity by about 1.9- and 3.1-fold compared with the control. When plants were exposed to combined stresses, mechanical stress played the dominant role in controlling plant responses. P. indica-inoculated plants are better adapted to individual and combined stresses. The inoculated plants had greater RV, LA, RWC, LWP and proline content under stressful conditions. In comparison with non-inoculated plants, inoculated plants showed lower CAT and APX activities which means that they experienced less oxidative stress induced by stressful conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hosseini
- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Mosaddeghi
- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Anthony Roger Dexter
- Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG-PIB), ul. Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Mozhgan Sepehri
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 7144165185, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jin K, White PJ, Whalley WR, Shen J, Shi L. Shaping an Optimal Soil by Root-Soil Interaction. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 22:823-829. [PMID: 28803694 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Crop production depends on the availability of water and mineral nutrients, and increased yields might be facilitated by a greater focus on roots-soil interactions. Soil properties affecting plant growth include drought, compaction, nutrient deficiency, mineral toxicity, salinity, and submergence. Plant roots respond to the soil environment both spatially and temporally by avoiding stressful soil environments and proliferating in more favorable environments. We observe that crops can be bred for specific root architectural and biochemical traits that facilitate soil exploration and resource acquisition, enabling greater crop yields. These root traits affect soil physical and chemical properties and might be utilized to improve the soil for subsequent crops. We argue that optimizing root-soil interactions is a prerequisite for future food security.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kemo Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Philip J White
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | | | - Jianbo Shen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Lei Shi
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yan J, Wang B, Zhou Y. A root penetration model of Arabidopsis thaliana in phytagel medium with different strength. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2017; 130:941-950. [PMID: 28315970 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-017-0926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Phytagel media were evaluated as systems to mechanically impede roots of A. thaliana. Studying mechanical properties of Phytagel and exploring the root response to mechanical stimulation can facilitate plant culture and plant development. Breaking strengths of 0.5-2.0% phytagel media were tested by uniaxial compression test. Different phytagel concentrations were set to alter the strength of layers in growth medium. Negative correlations were observed between root length, straightness and medium strength. When roots elongated through soft upper-layer (0.6%), penetration ratio decreased with the increase of lower-layer strength (0.6-1.2%) and all roots couldn't penetrate into lower-layer with concentration ≥1.2%. Roots could grow into soft lower-layer (0.6%) from hard upper-layer (0.6-1.2%), with decreased penetration ratio. When roots grew in soft lower-layer, the growth rate linked with upper-layer strength increased to peak. Roots penetration capability into 1.2% lower-layer was improved by growing plants through moderate layer inserted between soft and hard layer, and roots in 0.8% moderate medium have a significant higher penetration ratio than that in 1.0%. It was concluded that the Phytagel systems studied were suitable for studying the effect of mechanical impedance on the elongation of A. thaliana roots. The medium strength affected root penetration significantly and acclimation can improve root penetration capability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yan
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shapingba Main Street, Chongqing, 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Bochu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shapingba Main Street, Chongqing, 400030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Zhou
- Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shah AN, Tanveer M, Shahzad B, Yang G, Fahad S, Ali S, Bukhari MA, Tung SA, Hafeez A, Souliyanonh B. Soil compaction effects on soil health and cropproductivity: an overview. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:10056-10067. [PMID: 28108925 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Soil compaction causes substantial reduction in agriculture productivity and has always been of great distress for farmers. Intensive agriculture seems to be more crucial in causing compaction. High mechanical load, less crop diversification, intensive grazing, and irrigation methods lead to soil compaction. It is further exasperated when these factors are accompanied with low organic matter, animal trampling, engine vibrations, and tillage at high moisture contents. Soil compaction increases soil bulk density and soil strength, while decreases porosity, aggregate stability index, soil hydraulic conductivity, and nutrient availability, thus reduces soil health. Consequently, it lowers crop performance via stunted aboveground growth coupled with reduced root growth. This paper reviews the potential causes of compaction and its consequences that have been published in last two decades. Various morphological and physiological alterations in plant as result of soil compaction have also been discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Noor Shah
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Mohsin Tanveer
- School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Babar Shahzad
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Guozheng Yang
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shah Fahad
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Saif Ali
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Adnan Bukhari
- Department of Agronomy, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Shahbaz Atta Tung
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Abdul Hafeez
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Biangkham Souliyanonh
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gao W, Hodgkinson L, Jin K, Watts CW, Ashton RW, Shen J, Ren T, Dodd IC, Binley A, Phillips AL, Hedden P, Hawkesford MJ, Whalley WR. Deep roots and soil structure. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2016; 39:1662-8. [PMID: 26650587 PMCID: PMC4950291 DOI: 10.1111/pce.12684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In this opinion article we examine the relationship between penetrometer resistance and soil depth in the field. Assuming that root growth is inhibited at penetrometer resistances > 2.5 MPa, we conclude that in most circumstances the increases in penetrometer resistance with depth are sufficiently great to confine most deep roots to elongating in existing structural pores. We suggest that deep rooting is more likely related to the interaction between root architecture and soil structure than it is to the ability of a root to deform strong soil. Although the ability of roots to deform strong soil is an important trait, we propose it is more closely related to root exploration of surface layers than deep rooting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Gao
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - L Hodgkinson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - K Jin
- Huazhong Agricultural University, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - C W Watts
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, St. Albans, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - R W Ashton
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, St. Albans, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - J Shen
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - T Ren
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - I C Dodd
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - A Binley
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - A L Phillips
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, St. Albans, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - P Hedden
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, St. Albans, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - M J Hawkesford
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, St. Albans, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - W R Whalley
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, St. Albans, AL5 2JQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Novák D, Kuchařová A, Ovečka M, Komis G, Šamaj J. Developmental Nuclear Localization and Quantification of GFP-Tagged EB1c in Arabidopsis Root Using Light-Sheet Microscopy. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 6:1187. [PMID: 26779221 PMCID: PMC4700127 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of the root apex is determined by progress of cells from the meristematic region to the successive post-mitotic developmental zones for transition, cell elongation and final cell differentiation. We addressed root development, tissue architecture and root developmental zonation by means of light-sheet microscopic imaging of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings expressing END BINDING protein 1c (EB1c) fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of native EB1c promoter. Unlike the other two members of the EB1 family, plant-specific EB1c shows prominent nuclear localization in non-dividing cells in all developmental zones of the root apex. The nuclear localization of EB1c was previously mentioned solely in meristematic cells, but not further addressed. With the help of advanced light-sheet microscopy, we report quantitative evaluations of developmentally-regulated nuclear levels of the EB1c protein tagged with GFP relatively to the nuclear size in diverse root tissues (epidermis, cortex, and endodermis) and root developmental zones (meristem, transition, and elongation zones). Our results demonstrate a high potential of light-sheet microscopy for 4D live imaging of fluorescently-labeled nuclei in complex samples such as developing roots, showing capacity to quantify parameters at deeper cell layers (e.g., endodermis) with minimal aberrations. The data presented herein further signify the unique role of developmental cell reprogramming in the transition from cell proliferation to cell differentiation in developing root apex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jozef Šamaj
- Department of Cell Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Palacký University OlomoucOlomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|