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Xu J, Long Z, Sun B, Zhang F, Shen J, Jin K. Optimizing Root Phenotypes for Compacted Soils: Enhancing Root-Soil-Microbe Interactions. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2025; 48:4656-4667. [PMID: 40051026 DOI: 10.1111/pce.15462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2025] [Accepted: 02/23/2025] [Indexed: 05/06/2025]
Abstract
Soil compaction impedes root growth, reduces crop yields, and threatens global food security and sustainable agriculture. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive understanding of root-soil interactions in compacted environments. This review examines key root traits-architectural, anatomical, biochemical, and biomechanical-that enhance plant resilience in compacted soils. We discuss how these traits influence root penetration and the formation of more favorable soil pore structures, which are crucial for alleviating compaction stress. Additionally, we explore the molecular mechanisms underlying root adaptation, identifying key genetic and biochemical factors that contribute to stress-tolerant root phenotypes. The review emphasizes the role of root-microbe interactions in boosting root adaptability under compaction. By integrating these insights, we propose a framework for breeding crops with resilient root systems that thrive in high soil strength, supporting sustainable agricultural practices essential for food security amidst environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zijian Long
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Baoru Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangbo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianbo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Kemo Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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2
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Fu M, Xiong P, Zhang Z, Peng X. Responses of root hairs to soil compaction: A review. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2025; 355:112461. [PMID: 40081764 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112461] [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: 09/20/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2025] [Accepted: 03/05/2025] [Indexed: 03/16/2025]
Abstract
In recent years, many studies have investigated the effects of soil compaction on plant root growth. However, root hairs, which are important parts of plants that anchor the soil and absorb nutrients and water, under compacted conditions have received limited attention. We reviewed the responses of root hair structure (behaviors), the rhizosheath, water and nutrient uptake by root hairs, plant hormones and crop species associated with root hairs to soil compaction and proposed potential solutions to mitigate the impacts of soil compaction on root hairs. Soil compaction generally reduces root hair length and density; however, a few studies have reported opposite results for reasons that are unclear. Root hairs exhibit limited water and nutrient uptake capacity, whereas high levels of ethylene have been observed in response to soil compaction. The scales of the effects described above are closely related to genotype. Bio-tillage, the application of ethylene inhibitors, the use of microorganisms and the breeding of soil compaction-tolerant crops may be effective methods to promote root hair growth under soil compaction. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) techniques are needed in the future to study root hair interactions with non-homogeneous soils over large scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Ecology in Poyang Lake Watershed of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; Hunan University of Finance and Economics, Changsha 410205, China
| | - Peng Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Ecology in Poyang Lake Watershed of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
| | - Zhongbin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China; Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xinhua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Ecology in Poyang Lake Watershed of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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3
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Peralta Ogorek LL, Gao Y, Farrar E, Pandey BK. Soil compaction sensing mechanisms and root responses. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2025; 30:565-575. [PMID: 39562237 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.10.014] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 10/17/2024] [Accepted: 10/21/2024] [Indexed: 11/21/2024]
Abstract
Soil compaction is an agricultural challenge with profound influence on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. It causes drastic changes by increasing mechanical impedance, reducing water infiltration, gaseous exchange, and biological activities. Soil compaction hinders root growth, limiting nutrient and water foraging abilities of plants. Recent research reveals that plant roots sense soil compaction due to higher ethylene accumulation in and around root tips. Ethylene orchestrates auxin and abscisic acid as downstream signals to regulate root adaptive responses to soil compaction. In this review, we describe the changes inflicted by soil compaction ranging from cell to organ scale and explore the latest research regarding plant root compaction sensing and response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas L Peralta Ogorek
- Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Yiqun Gao
- Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Edward Farrar
- Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Bipin K Pandey
- Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK.
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4
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Hasan MM, Liu XD, Rahman MA, Hazzazi Y, Wassem M, Ghimire S, Alabdallah NM, Alharbi BM, Kabir AH, Yao G, Fang XW. Plants breathing under pressure: mechanistic insights into soil compaction-induced physiological, molecular and biochemical responses in plants. PLANTA 2025; 261:52. [PMID: 39894859 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-025-04624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/04/2025]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION This review highlights the molecular, biochemical and physiological responses of plants under soil compaction and presents suitable strategies for optimizing soil compaction for sustainable and intelligent plant production. Soil compaction (SC) increases the mechanical impedance of agricultural crops, which restricts plant growth, root elongation, and productivity. Therefore, exploring the impacts of SC-induced alterations in plants and developing optimization strategies are crucial for sustainable agricultural production and ensuring global food security. However, the regulation of molecular, biochemical and physiological responses to SC in plants has not yet been well explored. Here, we conducted a thorough analysis of the relevant literature regarding the primary factors behind SC in agricultural soils, mechanistic insights into SC-mediated molecular and physiological alterations in plants, the impact of SC on plant productivity, and SC-minimization strategies for eco-friendly and intelligent agricultural production. The existing information suggests that plant roots sense SC-induced changes in soil properties, including decreased soil water content, hypoxia, nutrient deficiency and mechanical stimuli, through altering the expression of membrane-located ion channel- or stimulus receptor-related genes, such as MSLs, MCA1, and AHK. After signal transduction, the synthesis and transport of several plant hormones, mainly ABA, ethylene and auxin, change and restrict root deepening but promote root thickening. In addition, the changes in plant hormones in combination with decreased water availability and decreased root hydraulic conductance induced by SC affect aboveground physiological responses, such as decreasing leaf hydraulic conductance, promoting stomatal closure and inhibiting plant photosynthesis. Comprehensive physiological insights into SC in plants and SC optimization strategies could be useful to soil biologists and plant eco-physiologists seeking to improve soil management and sustainable agricultural plant production to promote global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahadi Hasan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, LanzhouGansu Province, 730000, China
| | - Xu-Dong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, LanzhouGansu Province, 730000, China
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | | | - Yehia Hazzazi
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Wassem
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, LanzhouGansu Province, 730000, China
| | - Shantwana Ghimire
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, LanzhouGansu Province, 730000, China
| | - Nadiyah M Alabdallah
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, 383, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basmah M Alharbi
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, 71491, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Guangqian Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, LanzhouGansu Province, 730000, China
| | - Xiang-Wen Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, LanzhouGansu Province, 730000, China.
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Xu H, Zheng Z, Ma L, Zhang Q, Jin L, Zhang K, Zou J, Wuriyanghan H, Xu M. ZmSPL12 Enhances Root Penetration and Elongation in Maize Under Compacted Soil Conditions by Responding to Ethylene Signaling. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:3525. [PMID: 39771222 PMCID: PMC11678858 DOI: 10.3390/plants13243525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2024] [Revised: 12/13/2024] [Accepted: 12/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
Soil compaction poses a significant challenge in modern agriculture, as it constrains root development and hinders crop growth. The increasing evidence indicated that various phytohormones collaborate in distinct root zones to regulate root growth in compacted soils. However, the study of root development in maize under such conditions has been relatively limited. Here, we identified that the ZmSPL12 gene, belonging to the SPL transcription factor family, plays a crucial and positive role in regulating root development in the compacted soil. Specifically, the overexpression of ZmSPL12 resulted in significantly less inhibition of root growth than the wild-type plants when subjected to soil compaction. Histological analysis revealed that the capacity for root growth in compacted soil is closely associated with the development of the root cap. Further exploration demonstrated that ZmSPL12 modulates root growth through regulating ethylene signaling. Our findings underscored that ZmSPL12 expression level is induced by soil compaction and then enhances root penetration by regulating root cap and development, thereby enabling roots to thrive better in the compacted soil environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Xu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Zhigang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China;
| | - Lei Ma
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
| | - Qingyun Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Lian Jin
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
| | - Junjie Zou
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572025, China
- Hainan Seed Industry Laboratory, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Hada Wuriyanghan
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Miaoyun Xu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.X.); (L.M.); (Q.Z.); (L.J.); (K.Z.)
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572025, China
- Hainan Seed Industry Laboratory, Sanya 572025, China
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6
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Xiong P, Jiang F, Wang Y, Zhang Z. Artificial macropores improve maize performance at the seedling stage under poor aeration. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1468242. [PMID: 39421146 PMCID: PMC11483996 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1468242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
Maize is susceptible to hypoxia stress in soils with poor aeration, but the macropores have the potential to improve soil aeration. We studied the impact of artificial macropores on maize performance under poor aeration. Three levels of air-filled porosity (5%, 10% and 15%) were established, and soil columns with (28 vertical artificial macropores with 0.5 mm diameter) or without macropores were created for each level of air-filled porosity with a bulk density of 1.3 g cm-3. Root-macropore interactions were visualized using CT scanning (41 μm in resolution). Our results showed that root length density significantly increased by 114%, as air-filled porosity increased from 5% to 15%. However, when artificial macropores were present, an increase in air-filled porosity had no significant effect on root length density. The treatment of 5% air-filled porosity with macropores significantly increased root length density and root biomass by 108% and 65%, respectively, relative to the treatment of 5% air-filled porosity without macropores, whereas there was no significant difference in root growth between the treatments of 15% air-filled porosity with and without macropores. Compared to the treatment of 5% air-filled porosity with macropores, there was a significant reduction of 49% in the number of macropores colonized by roots under the treatment of 15% air-filled porosity with macropores. Our results demonstrate that macropores provide preferential paths for the colonization of maize roots, thereby promoting root growth under poor aeration. Creating macropores with bio-tillage can serve as a crucial strategy for enhancing crop performance in poorly aerated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Ecology in Poyang Lake Watershed of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Fahui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Ecology in Poyang Lake Watershed of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuekai Wang
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongbin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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7
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Colombi T, Pandey BK, Chawade A, Bennett MJ, Mooney SJ, Keller T. Root plasticity versus elasticity - when are responses acclimative? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 29:856-864. [PMID: 38355326 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.01.003] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal soil heterogeneity and the resulting edaphic stress cycles can be decisive for crop growth. However, our understanding of the acclimative value of root responses to heterogeneous soil conditions remains limited. We outline a framework to evaluate the acclimative value of root responses that distinguishes between stress responses that are persistent and reversible upon stress release, termed 'plasticity' and 'elasticity', respectively. Using energy balances, we provide theoretical evidence that the advantage of plasticity over elasticity increases with the number of edaphic stress cycles and if responses lead to comparatively high energy gains. Our framework provides a conceptual basis for assessing the acclimative value of root responses to soil heterogeneity and can catalyse research on crop adaptations to heterogeneous belowground environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Colombi
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Bipin K Pandey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Aakash Chawade
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sundsvägen 10, 23456 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Malcolm J Bennett
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Sacha J Mooney
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Thomas Keller
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046, Zürich, Switzerland
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8
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Mooney SJ, Castrillo G, Cooper HV, Bennett MJ. Root-soil-microbiome management is key to the success of regenerative agriculture. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:451-453. [PMID: 38877183 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-01001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sacha J Mooney
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | | | - Hannah V Cooper
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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9
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Teramoto S, Uga Y. Convolutional neural networks combined with conventional filtering to semantically segment plant roots in rapidly scanned X-ray computed tomography volumes with high noise levels. PLANT METHODS 2024; 20:73. [PMID: 38773503 PMCID: PMC11106967 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-024-01208-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for measuring plant root growth in soil. However, a rapid scan with larger pots, which is required for throughput-prioritized crop breeding, results in high noise levels, low resolution, and blurred root segments in the CT volumes. Moreover, while plant root segmentation is essential for root quantification, detailed conditional studies on segmenting noisy root segments are scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of scanning time and deep learning-based restoration of image quality on semantic segmentation of blurry rice (Oryza sativa) root segments in CT volumes. RESULTS VoxResNet, a convolutional neural network-based voxel-wise residual network, was used as the segmentation model. The training efficiency of the model was compared using CT volumes obtained at scan times of 33, 66, 150, 300, and 600 s. The learning efficiencies of the samples were similar, except for scan times of 33 and 66 s. In addition, The noise levels of predicted volumes differd among scanning conditions, indicating that the noise level of a scan time ≥ 150 s does not affect the model training efficiency. Conventional filtering methods, such as median filtering and edge detection, increased the training efficiency by approximately 10% under any conditions. However, the training efficiency of 33 and 66 s-scanned samples remained relatively low. We concluded that scan time must be at least 150 s to not affect segmentation. Finally, we constructed a semantic segmentation model for 150 s-scanned CT volumes, for which the Dice loss reached 0.093. This model could not predict the lateral roots, which were not included in the training data. This limitation will be addressed by preparing appropriate training data. CONCLUSIONS A semantic segmentation model can be constructed even with rapidly scanned CT volumes with high noise levels. Given that scanning times ≥ 150 s did not affect the segmentation results, this technique holds promise for rapid and low-dose scanning. This study offers insights into images other than CT volumes with high noise levels that are challenging to determine when annotating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Teramoto
- Institute of Crop Sciences, National Agriculture & Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan.
| | - Yusaku Uga
- Institute of Crop Sciences, National Agriculture & Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan
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10
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Pandey BK, Bennett MJ. Uncovering root compaction response mechanisms: new insights and opportunities. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:578-583. [PMID: 37950742 PMCID: PMC10773992 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Compaction disrupts soil structure, reducing root growth, nutrient and water uptake, gas exchange, and microbial growth. Root growth inhibition by soil compaction was originally thought to reflect the impact of mechanical impedance and reduced water availability. However, using a novel gas diffusion-based mechanism employing the hormone ethylene, recent research has revealed that plant roots sense soil compaction. Non-compacted soil features highly interconnected pore spaces that facilitate diffusion of gases such as ethylene which are released by root tips. In contrast, soil compaction stress disrupts the pore network, causing ethylene to accumulate around root tips and trigger growth arrest. Genetically disrupting ethylene signalling causes roots to become much less sensitive to compaction stress. Such new understanding about the molecular sensing mechanism and emerging root anatomical traits provides novel opportunities to develop crops resistant to soil compaction by targeting key genes and their signalling pathways. This expert view discusses these recent advances and the molecular mechanisms associated with root-soil compaction responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipin K Pandey
- Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Malcolm J Bennett
- Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
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11
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Donde R, Kohli PS, Pandey M, Sirohi U, Singh B, Giri J. Dissecting chickpea genomic loci associated with the root penetration responsive traits in compacted soil. PLANTA 2023; 259:17. [PMID: 38078944 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04294-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Soil compaction reduces root exploration in chickpea. We found genes related to root architectural traits in chickpea that can help understand and improve root growth in compacted soils. Soil compaction is a major concern for modern agriculture, as it constrains plant root growth, leading to reduced resource acquisition. Phenotypic variation for root system architecture (RSA) traits in compacted soils is present for various crops; however, studies on genetic associations with these traits are lacking. Therefore, we investigated RSA traits in different soil compaction levels and identified significant genomic associations in chickpea. We conducted a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) of 210 chickpea accessions for 13 RSA traits under three bulk densities (BD) (1.1BD, 1.6BD, and 1.8BD). Soil compaction decreases root exploration by reducing 12 RSA traits, except average diameter (AD). Further, AD is negatively correlated with lateral root traits, and this correlation increases in 1.8BD, suggesting the negative effect of AD on lateral root traits. Interestingly, we identified probable candidate genes such as GLP3 and LRX for lateral root traits and CRF1-like for total length (TL) in 1.6BD soil. In heavy soil compaction, DGK2 is associated with lateral root traits. Reduction in laterals during soil compaction is mainly due to delayed seedling establishment, thus making lateral root number a critical trait. Interestingly, we also found a higher contribution of the GxE component of the number of root tips (Tips) to the total variation than the other lateral traits. We also identified a pectin esterase, PPE8B, associated with Tips in high soil compaction and a significantly associated SNP with the relative change in Tips depicting a trade-off between Tips and AD. Identified genes and loci would help develop soil-compaction-resistant chickpea varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra Donde
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Pawandeep Singh Kohli
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Mandavi Pandey
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Ujjwal Sirohi
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Bhagat Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Jitender Giri
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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12
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Tomobe H, Tsugawa S, Yoshida Y, Arita T, Tsai AYL, Kubo M, Demura T, Sawa S. A mechanical theory of competition between plant root growth and soil pressure reveals a potential mechanism of root penetration. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7473. [PMID: 37160914 PMCID: PMC10170176 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Root penetration into the soil is essential for plants to access water and nutrients, as well as to mechanically support aboveground structures. This requires a combination of healthy plant growth, adequate soil mechanical properties, and compatible plant-soil interactions. Despite the current knowledge of the static rheology driving the interactions at the root-soil interface, few theoretical approaches have attempted to describe root penetration with dynamic rheology. In this work, we experimentally showed that radish roots in contact with soil of specific density during a specific growth stage fail to penetrate the soil. To explore the mechanism of root penetration into the soil, we constructed a theoretical model to explore the relevant conditions amenable to root entry into the soil. The theory indicates that dimensionless parameters such as root growth anisotropy, static root-soil competition, and dynamic root-soil competition are important for root penetration. The consequent theoretical expectations were supported by finite element analysis, and a potential mechanism of root penetration into the soil is discussed.
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Grants
- JP20K22599 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JP20K15832 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JP18H05484 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JP18H05487 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JPMJCR2121 Japan Science and Technology Agency
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Tomobe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Satoru Tsugawa
- Faculty of Systems Science and Technology, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, 015-0055, Japan.
| | - Yuki Yoshida
- International Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biology (IRCAEB), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Arita
- International Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biology (IRCAEB), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Allen Yi-Lun Tsai
- International Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biology (IRCAEB), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Minoru Kubo
- Center for Digital Green-innovation, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Taku Demura
- Center for Digital Green-innovation, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Sawa
- International Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biology (IRCAEB), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
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13
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Li Q, Liu N, Wu C. Novel insights into maize (Zea mays) development and organogenesis for agricultural optimization. PLANTA 2023; 257:94. [PMID: 37031436 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04126-y] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In maize, intrinsic hormone activities and sap fluxes facilitate organogenesis patterning and plant holistic development; these hormone movements should be a primary focus of developmental biology and agricultural optimization strategies. Maize (Zea mays) is an important crop plant with distinctive life history characteristics and structural features. Genetic studies have extended our knowledge of maize developmental processes, genetics, and molecular ecophysiology. In this review, the classical life cycle and life history strategies of maize are analyzed to identify spatiotemporal organogenesis properties and develop a definitive understanding of maize development. The actions of genes and hormones involved in maize organogenesis and sex determination, along with potential molecular mechanisms, are investigated, with findings suggesting central roles of auxin and cytokinins in regulating maize holistic development. Furthermore, investigation of morphological and structural characteristics of maize, particularly node ubiquity and the alternate attachment pattern of lateral organs, yields a novel regulatory model suggesting that maize organ initiation and subsequent development are derived from the stimulation and interaction of auxin and cytokinin fluxes. Propositions that hormone activities and sap flow pathways control organogenesis are thoroughly explored, and initiation and development processes of distinctive maize organs are discussed. Analysis of physiological factors driving hormone and sap movement implicates cues of whole-plant activity for hormone and sap fluxes to stimulate maize inflorescence initiation and organ identity determination. The physiological origins and biogenetic mechanisms underlying maize floral sex determination occurring at the tassel and ear spikelet are thoroughly investigated. The comprehensive outline of maize development and morphogenetic physiology developed in this review will enable farmers to optimize field management and will provide a reference for de novo crop domestication and germplasm improvement using genome editing biotechnologies, promoting agricultural optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Li
- Crop Genesis and Novel Agronomy Center, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Ning Liu
- Shandong ZhongnongTiantai Seed Co., Ltd, Pingyi, 273300, Shandong, China
| | - Chenglai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.
- College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.
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14
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Teramoto S, Uga Y. Four-dimensional measurement of root system development using time-series three-dimensional volumetric data analysis by backward prediction. PLANT METHODS 2022; 18:133. [PMID: 36494868 PMCID: PMC9733169 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-022-00968-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Root system architecture (RSA) is an essential characteristic for efficient water and nutrient absorption in terrestrial plants; its plasticity enables plants to respond to different soil environments. Better understanding of root plasticity is important in developing stress-tolerant crops. Non-invasive techniques that can measure roots in soils nondestructively, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT), are useful to evaluate RSA plasticity. However, although RSA plasticity can be measured by tracking individual root growth, only a few methods are available for tracking individual roots from time-series three-dimensional (3D) images. RESULTS We developed a semi-automatic workflow that tracks individual root growth by vectorizing RSA from time-series 3D images via two major steps. The first step involves 3D alignment of the time-series RSA images by iterative closest point registration with point clouds generated by high-intensity particles in potted soils. This alignment ensures that the time-series RSA images overlap. The second step consists of backward prediction of vectorization, which is based on the phenomenon that the root length of the RSA vector at the earlier time point is shorter than that at the last time point. In other words, when CT scanning is performed at time point A and again at time point B for the same pot, the CT data and RSA vectors at time points A and B will almost overlap, but not where the roots have grown. We assumed that given a manually created RSA vector at the last time point of the time series, all RSA vectors except those at the last time point could be automatically predicted by referring to the corresponding RSA images. Using 21 time-series CT volumes of a potted plant of upland rice (Oryza sativa), this workflow revealed that the root elongation speed increased with age. Compared with a workflow that does not use backward prediction, the workflow with backward prediction reduced the manual labor time by 95%. CONCLUSIONS We developed a workflow to efficiently generate time-series RSA vectors from time-series X-ray CT volumes. We named this workflow 'RSAtrace4D' and are confident that it can be applied to the time-series analysis of RSA development and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Teramoto
- Institute of Crop Sciences, National Agriculture & Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan
| | - Yusaku Uga
- Institute of Crop Sciences, National Agriculture & Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan.
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15
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Bello Bello E, Rico Cambron TY, Ortiz Ramírez LA, Rellán Álvarez R, Herrera-Estrella L. ROOT PENETRATION INDEX 3, a major quantitative trait locus associated with root system penetrability in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:4716-4732. [PMID: 35512438 PMCID: PMC9366324 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Soil mechanical impedance precludes root penetration, confining root system development to shallow soil horizons where mobile nutrients are scarce. Using a two-phase-agar system, we characterized Arabidopsis responses to low and high mechanical impedance at three root penetration stages. We found that seedlings whose roots fail to penetrate agar barriers show a significant reduction in leaf area, root length, and elongation zone and an increment in root diameter, while those capable of penetrating show only minor morphological effects. Analyses using different auxin-responsive reporter lines, exogenous auxins, and inhibitor treatments suggest that auxin responsiveness and PIN-mediated auxin distribution play an important role in regulating root responses to mechanical impedance. The assessment of 21 Arabidopsis accessions revealed that primary root penetrability varies widely among accessions. To search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated to root system penetrability, we evaluated a recombinant inbred population derived from Landsberg erecta (Ler-0, with a high primary root penetrability) and Shahdara (Sha, with a low primary root penetrability) accessions. QTL analysis revealed a major-effect QTL localized in chromosome 3, ROOT PENETRATION INDEX 3 (q-RPI3), which accounted for 29.98% (logarithm of odds=8.82) of the total phenotypic variation. Employing an introgression line (IL-321) with a homozygous q-RPI3 region from Sha in the Ler-0 genetic background, we demonstrated that q-RPI3 plays a crucial role in root penetrability. This multiscale study reveals new insights into root plasticity during the penetration process in hard agar layers, natural variation, and genetic architecture behind primary root penetrability in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elohim Bello Bello
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada/LANGEBIO, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Irapuato, México
| | - Thelma Y Rico Cambron
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada/LANGEBIO, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Irapuato, México
| | - Lesly Abril Ortiz Ramírez
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada/LANGEBIO, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Irapuato, México
| | - Rubén Rellán Álvarez
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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16
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Yang F, Shi Y, Zhao M, Cheng B, Li X. ZmIAA5 regulates maize root growth and development by interacting with ZmARF5 under the specific binding of ZmTCP15/16/17. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13710. [PMID: 35855434 PMCID: PMC9288822 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a type of endogenous plant hormone with a low concentration in plants, but it plays an important role in their growth and development. The AUX/IAA gene family was found to be an early sensitive auxin gene with a complicated way of regulating growth and development in plants. The regulation of root growth and development by AUX/IAA family genes has been reported in Arabidopsis, rice and maize. Results In this study, subcellular localization indicated that ZmIAA1-ZmIAA6 primarily played a role in the nucleus. A thermogram analysis showed that AUX/IAA genes were highly expressed in the roots, which was also confirmed by the maize tissue expression patterns. In maize overexpressing ZmIAA5, the length of the main root, the number of lateral roots, and the stalk height at the seedling stage were significantly increased compared with those of the wild type, while the EMS mutant zmiaa5 was significantly reduced. The total number of roots and the dry weight of maize overexpressing ZmIAA5 at the mature stage were also significantly increased compared with those of the wild type, while those of the mutant zmiaa5 was significantly reduced. Yeast one-hybrid experiments showed that ZmTCP15/16/17 could specifically bind to the ZmIAA5 promoter region. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and yeast two-hybridization indicated an interaction between ZmIAA5 and ZmARF5. Conclusions Taken together, the results of this study indicate that ZmIAA5 regulates maize root growth and development by interacting with ZmARF5 under the specific binding of ZmTCP15/16/17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Yang
- College of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yutian Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Manli Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Beijiu Cheng
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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17
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Lynch JP, Mooney SJ, Strock CF, Schneider HM. Future roots for future soils. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:620-636. [PMID: 34725839 PMCID: PMC9299599 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical impedance constrains root growth in most soils. Crop cultivation changed the impedance characteristics of native soils, through topsoil erosion, loss of organic matter, disruption of soil structure and loss of biopores. Increasing adoption of Conservation Agriculture in high-input agroecosystems is returning cultivated soils to the soil impedance characteristics of native soils, but in the low-input agroecosystems characteristic of developing nations, ongoing soil degradation is generating more challenging environments for root growth. We propose that root phenotypes have evolved to adapt to the altered impedance characteristics of cultivated soil during crop domestication. The diverging trajectories of soils under Conservation Agriculture and low-input agroecosystems have implications for strategies to develop crops to meet global needs under climate change. We present several root ideotypes as breeding targets under the impedance regimes of both high-input and low-input agroecosystems, as well as a set of root phenotypes that should be useful in both scenarios. We argue that a 'whole plant in whole soil' perspective will be useful in guiding the development of future crops for future soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Sacha J. Mooney
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLeicestershireUK
| | - Christopher F. Strock
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Hannah M. Schneider
- Centre for Crop Systems AnalysisWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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18
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Strock CF, Rangarajan H, Black CK, Schäfer ED, Lynch JP. Theoretical evidence that root penetration ability interacts with soil compaction regimes to affect nitrate capture. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 129:315-330. [PMID: 34850823 PMCID: PMC8835659 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although root penetration of strong soils has been intensively studied at the scale of individual root axes, interactions between soil physical properties and soil foraging by whole plants are less clear. Here we investigate how variation in the penetration ability of distinct root classes and bulk density profiles common to real-world soils interact to affect soil foraging strategies. METHODS We utilize the functional-structural plant model 'OpenSimRoot' to simulate the growth of maize (Zea mays) root systems with variable penetration ability of axial and lateral roots in soils with (1) uniform bulk density, (2) plow pans and (3) increasing bulk density with depth. We also modify the availability and leaching of nitrate to uncover reciprocal interactions between these factors and the capture of mobile resources. KEY RESULTS Soils with plow pans and bulk density gradients affected overall size, distribution and carbon costs of the root system. Soils with high bulk density at depth impeded rooting depth and reduced leaching of nitrate, thereby improving the coincidence of nitrogen and root length. While increasing penetration ability of either axial or lateral root classes produced root systems of comparable net length, improved penetration of axial roots increased allocation of root length in deeper soil, thereby amplifying N acquisition and shoot biomass. Although enhanced penetration ability of both root classes was associated with greater root system carbon costs, the benefit to plant fitness from improved soil exploration and resource capture offset these. CONCLUSIONS While lateral roots comprise the bulk of root length, axial roots function as a scaffold determining the distribution of these laterals. In soils with high soil strength and leaching, root systems with enhanced penetration ability of axial roots have greater distribution of root length at depth, thereby improving capture of mobile resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Strock
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Harini Rangarajan
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Christopher K Black
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ernst D Schäfer
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- For correspondence. E-mail
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19
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Lynch JP. Harnessing root architecture to address global challenges. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:415-431. [PMID: 34724260 PMCID: PMC9299910 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Root architecture can be targeted in breeding programs to develop crops with better capture of water and nutrients. In rich nations, such crops would reduce production costs and environmental pollution and, in developing nations, they would improve food security and economic development. Crops with deeper roots would have better climate resilience while also sequestering atmospheric CO2 . Deeper rooting, which improves water and N capture, is facilitated by steeper root growth angles, fewer axial roots, reduced lateral branching, and anatomical phenotypes that reduce the metabolic cost of root tissue. Mechanical impedance, hypoxia, and Al toxicity are constraints to subsoil exploration. To improve topsoil foraging for P, K, and other shallow resources, shallower root growth angles, more axial roots, and greater lateral branching are beneficial, as are metabolically cheap roots. In high-input systems, parsimonious root phenotypes that focus on water capture may be advantageous. The growing prevalence of Conservation Agriculture is shifting the mechanical impedance characteristics of cultivated soils in ways that may favor plastic root phenotypes capable of exploiting low resistance pathways to the subsoil. Root ideotypes for many low-input systems would not be optimized for any one function, but would be resilient against an array of biotic and abiotic challenges. Root hairs, reduced metabolic cost, and developmental regulation of plasticity may be useful in all environments. The fitness landscape of integrated root phenotypes is large and complex, and hence will benefit from in silico tools. Understanding and harnessing root architecture for crop improvement is a transdisciplinary opportunity to address global challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
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20
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Wu X, Liu Z, Liao W. The involvement of gaseous signaling molecules in plant MAPK cascades: function and signal transduction. PLANTA 2021; 254:127. [PMID: 34812934 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03792-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This review describes the interaction of gaseous signaling molecules and MAPK cascade components, which further reveals the specific mechanism of the crosstalk between MAPK cascade components and gaseous signaling molecules. Plants have evolved complex and sophisticated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades that are engaged in response to environmental stress. There is currently compelling experimental evidence that gaseous signaling molecules are involved in MAPK cascades. During stress, nitric oxide (NO) activates MAPK cascades to transmit stimulus signals, and MAPK cascades also regulate NO biosynthesis to mediate NO-dependent physiological processes. Activated MAPK cascades lead to phosphorylation of specific sites of aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase to regulate the ethylene biosynthesis-signaling pathway. Hydrogen sulfide functions upstream of MAPKs and regulates the MAPK signaling pathway at the transcriptional level. Here, we describe the function and signal transduction of gaseous signaling molecules involved in MAPK cascades and focus on introducing and discussing the recent data obtained in this field concerning the interaction of gaseous signaling molecules and MAPK cascades. In addition, this article outlines the direction and challenges of future work and further reveals the specific mechanism of the crosstalk between MAPK cascade components and gaseous signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetong Wu
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiya Liu
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Weibiao Liao
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China.
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