The configuration of the seminal roots ofTriticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)

The seminal root system of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is composed of the primary seminal root, the first pair of seminal roots, and the second pair of seminal roots, which are known to grow in different directions. The direction of root growth, which can be expressed by ϑ (the angle between the root and the plumb line) and φ (the angle between the root and a vertical plane including the primary seminal root), was studied with special attention to the latter. It was measured on seedlings grown in a small hemispherical soil-filled mesh basket. There were varietal differences in the φ of the first pair of roots (φ_f) and in the φ of the second pair of roots (φ_s). (φ_f) and (φ_s) were significantly correlated. The mean distance (MD), a measure to evaluate the efficiency of root spacing, was correlated with the difference between (φ_f) and (φ_s). Neither experimentally applied low soil water potential nor the excision of the primary seminal root affected φ. When the grain was sown vertically with the tip of the embryo pointing downwards, it was found that the growth movement into a direction different from the plumb line and (φ_s) was greatly modified. it is suggested that certain internal mechanisms, possibly involving gravitropic reactions, are operating to control the direction of root growth. The significance of root growth direction at the seedling stage is discussed.     

The configuration of the seminal roots of Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)

The seminal root system of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is composed of the primary seminal root, the first pair of seminal roots, and the second pair of seminal roots, which are known to grow in different directions. The direction of root growth, which can be expressed by theta (the angle between the root and the plumb line) and phi (the angle between the root and a vertical plane including the primary seminal root), was studied with special attention to the latter. It was measured on seedlings grown in a small hemispherical soil-filled mesh basket. There were varietal differences in the phi of the first pair of roots (phi f) and in the phi of the second pair of roots (phi s). phi f and phi s were significantly correlated. The mean distance (MD), a measure to evaluate the efficiency of root spacing, was correlated with the difference between phi f and phi s. Neither experimentally applied low soil water potential nor the excision of the primary seminal root affected phi. When the grain was sown vertically with the tip of the embryo pointing downwards, it was found that the growth movement into a direction different from the plumb line and phi s was greatly modified. It is suggested that certain internal mechanisms, possibly involving gravitropic reactions, are operating to control the direction of root growth. The significance of root growth direction at the seedling stage is discussed.     

Changes in the Root System of Wheat Seedlings Following Root Anaerobiosis I. Anatomy and Respiration in Triticum aestivum L.

Anatomical changes in roots of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivumL. cv. Hatri) following oxygen deficiency in the rooting mediumwere investigated. The response of the plant to stress was testedat a very early developmental stage when the first adventitiousroots had just emerged. In order to analyze the adaptation ofdifferent roots, respiration rates of the roots 1–3 and4–n were compared with the respiration rates of the totalroot system. Oxygen deficiency was induced either by flushingnutrient solution with nitrogen or flooding of sand. In contrast to plants grown in well aerated media, both stressvariants led to a significant increase of the intercellularspace of the root cortex in seminal and first adventitious roots.Radial cell enlargement of cortical cells near the root tip,cell wall thickenings in flooded sand cultures and an increasein phloroglucinol-stainable substances were found to be furtherindicators of low oxygen supply. The roots 4–n which were promoted in growth under hypoxiashowed higher respiration rates; hence the total root respirationwas not restricted. Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hatri, wheat, roots, anatomy, anaerobiosis, stress, root respiration, intercellular space     

Effects of Temperature on the Development of Metaxylem in Primary Wheat Roots and Its Hydraulic Consequence

The effects of different temperatures on the development ofmetaxylem were studied in the primary seminal root of winterwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Xylem development wasstudied microscopically at different distances behind the rootapex after safranin staining to reveal lignification. Diameter of the central late metaxylem (LMX) and its proportionto the stele cross-sectional area increased in the acropetaldirection. Diameter of the LMX and stele decreased with an increasein growing temperature. Numbers of early metaxylem (EMX) wereseven, seven and six at 10, 20 and 30 C, respectively. EMXwas lignified much more rapidly than the LMX along the seminalroot axes. Lignification of xylem elements commenced furthertowards the root apex at the higher temperatures. The LMX vesselsof the roots grown at the higher temperature had thicker secondarywalls. The relative conductivity of seminal roots, calculated fromPoiseuille's equation, decreased as growing temperature increased.In a drought-prone environment where wheat plants rely heavilyon stored soil water, a lowered axial conductivity in the rootswould be advantageous. The plants would tend to conserve waterduring vegetative growth for use during the critical periodsof flowering and grain-filling. Breeders selecting wheat plants for altered LMX diameters shouldcontrol temperatures during primary root development, sectionthe roots at the same distance from the tip and be aware thatcross walls may exist in the LMX for up to 30 cm from the tip. Wheat, Triticum aestivum L., roots, xylem development, hydraulic conductivity, temperature     

Morphological Changes in Wheat Seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) following Root Anaerobiosis and Partial Pruning of the Root System

Morphological changes of roots and shoots following oxygen deficiencyin the root medium and after partial pruning of the root systemwere analyzed to obtain easily measurable parameters of theadaptive capacity of the root system against stress. Wheat seedlings(Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hatri) were cultivated on nutrientsolution which was either aerated or flushed with nitrogen,or were cultivated on flooded sand. On the third day after grainswelling in two pruning variants, roots 1–3 or 4–8were excised. Root anaerobiosis retarded longitudinal growth and biomass accumulationof the shoot and the seminal roots, and stimulated the developmentof adventitious roots. Partial removal caused a general compensativegrowth of the remaining roots under aerobic conditions. Root pruning plus anaerobiosis exceeded the compensatory capacityof the seedlings and thus caused a strong delay of elongationand biomass accumulation of both roots and shoots, includingdecrease of the root/shoot ratio. Roots became independent ofendosperm reserves on the seventh day under aerobic conditionsthough caryopses were not completely exhausted at this time.Additionally, oxygen deficiency delayed the reserve exhaustionprocess. Triticum aestivum L. cv Hatri, wheat, roots, growth analysis, morphology, anaerobiosis, strees, root pruning, compensatory capacity, caryopsis     

Interactions between Hydrotropism and Gravitropism in the Primary Seminal Roots of Triticum eastivum L.

It has been proposed that hydrotropism interacts with gravitropismin seedling roots; that is, roots which are highly gravitropicshow less hydrotropism (Takahashi and Suge, 1991 PhysiologiaPlantarum 82: 24-31; Takahashi and Scott, 1993 Plant, Cell andEnvironment 16: 99-103). Here, we examine varietal differencesin the hydrotropic response and its interaction with gravitropismin wheat roots. Primary seminal roots of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) were hydrotropically stimulated by different moisture gradientsestablished by placing wet cheesecloth and saturated solutionsof different salts in closed chambers. From equations obtainedby relative humidity (RH) at different distances from the wetcheesecloth, moisture gradients at the root-tip level were estimatedto be 0·03 to 1·84% RH mm^-1, depending upon thesalt introduced into the chamber. The roots showed positivehydrotropism in response to 0·67% RH mm^-1, and the responseapparently increased as the gradient was strengthened. Whenthe primary seminal roots of 12 cultivars were exposed to amoisture gradient of 1·84% RH mm-1, hydrotropic responsesignificantly differed depending upon the cultivar tested. Amongthe cultivars, the roots of Norin 11, Norin 15, Norin 117, andNorin 125 responded hydrotropically more strongly than the others.These roots, with the exception of Norin 11, showed a less vigorousresponse to gravity compared to the remaining cultivars. However,the roots of Norin 20, Norin 38, and Norin 107 were relativelyunresponsive to both a moisture gradient and to gravity. Thus,the primary seminal roots of wheat respond hydrotropically,and the responsiveness differs among cultivars. However, thevarietal difference in hydrotropic response cannot be explainedsolely by converse differences in responsiveness to gravity.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Cultivar, gravitropism, hydrotropism, primary seminal roots, Triticum aestivum L., wheat     

Genotypic variation in seedling root architectural traits and implications for drought adaptation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Root system characteristics are of fundamental importance to soil exploration and below-ground resource acquisition. Root architectural traits determine the in situ space-filling properties of a root system or root architecture. The growth angle of root axes is a principal component of root system architecture that has been strongly associated with acquisition efficiency in many crop species. The aims of this study were to examine the extent of genotypic variability for the growth angle and number of seminal roots in 27 current Australian and 3 CIMMYT wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, and to quantify using fractal analysis the root system architecture of a subset of wheat genotypes contrasting in drought tolerance and seminal root characteristics. The growth angle and number of seminal roots showed significant genotypic variation among the wheat genotypes with values ranging from 36 to 56 (degrees) and 3 to 5 (plant⁻¹), respectively. Cluster analysis of wheat genotypes based on similarity in their seminal root characteristics resulted in four groups. The group composition reflected to some extent the genetic background and environmental adaptation of genotypes. Wheat cultivars grown widely in the Mediterranean environments of southern and western Australia generally had wider growth angle and lower number of seminal axes. In contrast, cultivars with superior performance on deep clay soils in the northern cropping region, such as SeriM82, Baxter, Babax, and Dharwar Dry exhibited a narrower angle of seminal axes. The wheat genotypes also showed significant variation in fractal dimension (D). The D values calculated for the individual segments of each root system suggested that, compared to the standard cultivar Hartog, the drought-tolerant genotypes adapted to the northern region tended to distribute relatively more roots in the soil volume directly underneath the plant. These findings suggest that wheat root system architecture is closely linked to the angle of seminal root axes at the seedling stage. The implications of genotypic variation in the seminal root characteristics and fractal dimension for specific adaptation to drought environment types are discussed with emphasis on the possible exploitation of root architectural traits in breeding for improved wheat cultivars for water-limited environments.     

Root Development and Aerenchyma Formation in Two Wheat Cultivars and One Triticale Cultivar Grown in Stagnant Agar and Aerated Nutrient Solution

Stagnant nutrient solution containing 0.1% agar and with anextremely low oxygen level (‘stagnant agar solution’)was used to simulate the gaseous composition and slow gas diffusionof waterlogged soils. Comparisons were made between the growthof two wheat cultivars(Triticum aestivum,cvs. Gamenya and Kite)and one triticale cultivar(Triticosecale,cv. Muir) grown instagnant relative to aerated solution. For all genotypes tested,immersion of roots in stagnant agar solution resulted in thedeath of the entire seminal root system and led to profuse branchingof the laterals of the nodal roots. In the stagnant agar solutionaerenchyma, as a percentage of the total cross sectional areaof nodal roots, was 18% for Muir, 14% for Kite and 12% for Gamenya;the roots of species with more aerenchyma also attained a longermaximum root length as predicted by the model of Armstrong (in:Woolhouse HW, ed.Advances in botanical research, vol. 7. London:Academic Press, 1979). Muir also had a nodal root/shoot freshweight ratio of 0.5 compared with 0.2–0.3 in Kite andGamenya. The greater number and length of nodal roots of Muirdid not lead to better shoot growth than in the other genotypes;one possible reason for this lack of improvement is a low efficiencyof aerenchymatous roots in wheat.Copyright 1998 Annals of BotanyCompany Root development; aerenchyma; stagnant agar;Triticum aestivumcv. Gamenya;Triticum aestivumcv. Kite;Triticosecalecv. Muir.     

Root growth and nitrate uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) following wetting of dry surface soil

The nitrate uptake capacity of surface roots of spring wheat(Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kulin) was investigated followingwetting of dry surface soil. Plants were grown to stem elongationstage with adequate watering at depth while the surface soilwas allowed to dry. Eight weeks after sowing, water or a ¹⁵N-nitratesolution was added to the surface soil to simulate rainfall.Root growth and nitrate uptake were measured up to 4 d afterwetting on plants with unconfined nodal root growth and on plantswith the majority of nodal roots confined within small vials.Prior to wetting, plants from both nodal treatments had seminalroots with collapsed cortices along the upper 10 cm and manyshort, viable lateral roots. Nodal roots, where present, wereonly a few cm long and unbranched. Only plants with unconfinednodal roots were able to take up nitrate within the 24 h beforeany new root growth. By 2 d after wetting there was significantgrowth of the seminal lateral roots, and rapid growth and branchingof nodal roots. From 2 d after wetting, plants with confinednodal roots also took up nitrate, presumably due to the growthof the seminal lateral roots. Hence it appears as though thenodal roots in the unconfined treatment could immediately takeup nitrate, but the seminal roots required new lateral rootgrowth to become active in nitrate uptake. The plants with confinednodal roots had a lower nitrate uptake than those with unconfinednodal roots 4 d after wetting, indicating that the seminal rootsystem was not able to compensate for lack of nodal roots. Insufficientnitrate was taken up after 4 d, by plants from either nodalroot treatment, to increase the shoot N concentration significantly. Key words: Triticum aestivum, nitrate uptake, drought, seminal roots, nodal roots     

Silicon Deposition in the Roots of Hordeum sativum Jess, Avena sativa L. and Triticum aestivum L.

Electron-probe microanalysis was used to investigate the locationof silicon at the proximal end of the seminal and adventitiousroots, of almost mature field-grown specimens of Hordeum sativumJess., Avena sativa L. and Triticum aestivum L. In the seminal roots silicon was confined to the endodermis,where it was present in the thickened inner tangential and radialwalls. The outer tangential walls also contained silicon inall of the cells in wheat and in occasional cells in barleyand oats. The adventitious roots of the three cereals displayed differencesin silicon deposition. In barley, silicon was present in allthe walls of the endodermal cells, whereas in oats it was onlylocated in the inner tangential and radial walls. Wheat showedcultivar differences, no silicon was detected in Capelle Desprez,but it was present in the thickened endodermis of Little Jossand Hustler. In all the samples studied silicon was absent fromthe sub-epidermal sclerenchyma layer. The results are discussed in relation to the possible functionsof the endodermis and the signficance of silicification. Hordeum sativum Jess, barley, Avena sativa L, oat, Triticum aestivum L, wheat, silicon deposition, electron-probe microanalysis     

Site, Scale and Time-course for Adjustments in Lateral Root Initiation in Wheat Following Changes in C and N Supply

The pattern of lateral root initiation in seminal roots of wheat(Triticum aestivumL. cv. Alexandria) and the location, scaleand time-course for adjustments in initiation were studied afterchanges in C and N supply. Macroscopically visible primordiaappeared in a non-acropetal sequence with the frequency (numberper unit length) increasing with distance behind the main rootapex to a maximum at 40–50 mm behind the root tip. Pruningthe root system to a single seminal axis increased the primordiafrequency by 23% within 15 h. After longer periods, the effectof root-pruning was greater. The enhanced primordia frequencywas first observed in tissue located 0–10 mm behind theapex at the start of treatment. Feeding glucose (50 mM) alsoincreased primordia frequency within 15 h, but to a greaterextent, and here additional primordia were initiated in tissuelocated 0–10and10–20 mm behind the apex at the startof treatment. Withdrawing NO₃^-from one part of a split-rootsystem, whilst maintaining the supply to the other, reducedprimordia frequency in the non-fed roots and, in some cases,a compensatory increase in the NO₃^--fed roots was observed.The location and scale of the adjustments were similar to thosefound with root-pruning and glucose-feeding, but were slightlyslower to appear. In spite of some differences in detail, therewas a broad similarity in site, scale and time-course for adjustmentsin lateral root initiation with these treatments, which is consistentwith the operation of a common mechanism. Whenever an increasein primordia frequency was observed, it was associated withan increase in the ethanol-soluble sugar content of the tissue.However, the reduction in frequency in NO₃^--deprived roots wasalso accompanied by an increase in sugar content. There wasno consistent relationship between total N content of the tissueand primordia frequency, but there was between primordia frequencyand the rate of net NO₃^-uptake. The possible mechanisms controllinglateral root initiation are discussed. Compensatory growth; correlative growth; glucose; initiation; lateral root; nitrate; primordium; split-root; Triticum aestivum; wheat     

Changes in the Root System of Wheat Seedlings Following Root Anaerobiosis: III. Oxygen Concentration in the Roots

The oxygen status in roots of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum)was determined by a volumetric micro-absorption method. Plantsgrew in nutrient solution (aerated or nitrogen-flushed) or onflooded sand up to the 10th day. The roots were then exposedto aerated or hypoxic conditions for several hours before gaswas extracted by reducing the pressure within a concentratedsalt solution or by physical crushing. The oxygen content ofthe extracted gas bubbles was measured with pyrogallol. Comparativeexperiments with the helophytes Phalaris arundinacea and Carexacutiformis yielded similar oxygen concentrations to those alreadydescribed in literature. The concentrations of oxygen (13–16%)in young wheat roots were surprisingly high when exposed tonutrient solution flushed with nitrogen gas. Removal of the shoots decreased the oxygen concentration inthe roots, indicating some internal oxygen transport from shootsto roots. Detached, submerged roots of wheat still contained6% oxygen following 20 h of submergence in nitrogen-flushedsolution. A linear relationship was found between the oxygenconcentration in roots of Triticum aestivum, Zea mays and thetwo helophytes and the volume of extractable gas per volumeof root. This ratio corresponded to the extent of aerenchymaformation. Hence, a certain amount of oxygen may have been adsorbedonto the inner surfaces of the lacunae of the roots. However, the large amount of oxygen in the roots of intact wheatplants suggest that some parts of the root system are unlikelyto suffer from the oxygen shortage imposed by oxygen-deficientexternal conditions such as flooded soil. Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hatri, wheat, helophytes, roots, micro-absorption method, oxygen concentration, hypoxia, intercellular space     

Changes in the Root System of Wheat Seedlings Following Root Anaerobiosis II. Morphology and Anatomy of Evolution Forms

Morphological and anatomical parameters which are variable underroot anaerobiosis in Triticum aestivum were checked on fivetaxa of primitive and modern wheats (and the related genus Aegilops).The plants were grown in nutrient solution which was eitheraerated or flushed with nitrogen. When the plants were flushedwith nitrogen a general retardation in longitudinal root growthoccurred in all of them, but only Triticum aestivum showed aclear promotion of growth of later appearing roots enablingit to maintain the same root/shoot ratio even under stress conditions.There was an increase in the volume of intercellular space inthe root cortex of nearly all the plants investigated. The diameterand the lignin content of the roots and the form of their corticalcells also varied. All these changes were expressed in the primitivewheats to a lesser extent than in the advanced Triticum aestivumindicating that there is a clear increase in the adaptive responsein the latter. Triticum species, Aegilops species, wheat, roots, anatomy, anaerobiosis, stress, intercellular space, selection     

The Mechanics of Root Lodging in Winter Wheat, Triticum aestivum L.

The anchorage of winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., is providedby a cone of rigid coronal roots which emerge from around thestem base. During root lodging this cone rotates at its windwardedge below the soil surface, the soil inside the cone movingas a block and compressing the soil beneath. A theoretical modelof anchorage suggested that lodging resistance should be dependenton the diameter of the root-soil cone, coronal root bendingstrength and soil shear strength. We tested the predictions of the anchorage model by carryingout two series of experiments. In the first, varieties of contrastinglodging resistances were artificially lodged. The moment requiredto rotate plants into the soil, the diameter of the root-soilcone, and the bending strength of the coronal roots were recorded.The lodging moment was correlated with the size of the soilcone, as predicted. Generally, differences in anchorage strengthbetween varieties were due to differences in root-soil conediameter, although coronal root strength was also important. A second series of tests was carried out using model plantsanchored by plastic discs. The behaviour of the models duringartificial lodging supported the anchorage model; the forceresisting lodging was similar to that of plants with root-soilcones of the same size and the resisting force was dependenton the soil strength. These results suggest that root lodging resistance might beimproved by increasing both the angle of spread and the bendingstrength of the coronal roots. Key words: Anchorage, root-soil cone, coronal roots, lodging, wheat     

Root Respiration and Carbohydrate Status of Two Wheat Genotypes in Response to Hypoxia

To investigate root respiration and carbohydrate status in relationto waterlogging or hypoxia tolerance, root respiration rateand concentrations of soluble sugars in leaves and roots weredetermined for two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes differingin waterlogging-tolerance under hypoxia (5% O₂) and subsequentresumption of full aeration. Root and shoot growth were reducedby hypoxia to a larger extent for waterlogging-sensitive Coker9835. Root respiration or oxygen consumption rate declined withhypoxia, but recovered after 7 d of resumption of aeration.Respiration rate was greater for sensitive Coker 9835 than fortolerant Jackson within 8 d after hypoxia. The concentrationsof sucrose, glucose and fructose decreased in leaves for bothgenotypes under hypoxia. The concentration of these sugars inroots, however, increased under hypoxia, to a greater degreefor Jackson. An increase in the ratio of root sugar concentrationto shoot sugar concentration was found for Jackson under hypoxicconditions, suggesting that a large amount of carbohydrate waspartitioned to roots under hypoxia. The results indicated thatroot carbohydrate supply was not a limiting factor for rootgrowth and respiration under hypoxia. Plant tolerance to waterloggingof hypoxia appeared to be associated with low root respirationor oxygen consumption rate and high sugar accumulation underhypoxic conditions.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press Oxygen consumption rate, sugar accumulation, Triticum aestivum L., waterlogging tolerance     

Growth of Near-isogenic Wheat Lines Differing in Development--Plants in a Simulated Canopy

An understanding of the principal factors regulating the growthof temperate cereals will identify opportunities to manipulatecrop growth. In an accompanying paper (Gomez-Macpherson, Richardsand Masle,Annals of Botany82: 315–322, 1998), growth aroundthe start of floral initiation was studied in isogenic wheat(Triticum aestivumL.) lines grown as spaced plants. In thispaper, two of the same near-isogenic wheat lines were grownas mini-canopies in a growth chamber. The objective was to determinewhether results obtained using spaced plants also apply to plantsgrown in a simulated canopy as a first step to emulate fieldconditions. Biomass of plant organs, leaf area and leaf andtiller appearance were determined from sowing to ear emergenceof the early developing line. Contrary to results obtained usingspaced plants, lines differed in their above-ground biomassaccumulation, although total plant biomass accumulation wassimilar. After the early line reached terminal spikelet stage(TS), biomass partitioning to the roots and leaves decreased,whereas partitioning to the stem and ear increased. This resultedin a lower root:shoot ratio in the early flowering line thanin the late line which remained vegetative. Tiller senescencealso began after TS in the early line whereas no tiller senescencewas observed in the late line during the experiment. Furthermore,after TS, net assimilation rate was greater and leaf area ratiowas lower in the early line. It is suggested that, after reachingTS, plants grown in a canopy become source limited comparedto widely spaced plants, or compared to plants that have notreached TS, and this results in less root growth.Copyright 1998Annals of Botany Company Development, growth, partitioning,Triticum aestivumL., wheat.     

Differential Inhibition of Shootvs.Root Growth at Low Temperature and its Relationship with Carbohydrate Accumulation in Different Wheat Cultivars

Shoot and root growth rate, carbohydrate accumulation (includingfructan), reducing sugar content and dry matter percentage weremeasured in six wheat cultivars, ranging from winter to springtypes, grown at either 5 or 25 °C. At 5 °C (comparedwith 25 °C), the relative growth rate (RGR) of shoots wassimilarly reduced in all cultivars, but the RGR of shoots wasmore affected in winter wheats. This difference resulted insmaller root:shoot ratios than in spring wheats, which alsodeveloped more first-order lateral roots. A direct relationshipbetween carbohydrate accumulation at low temperatures and reductionin root growth was established. These results suggest that differentialshootvs.root growth inhibition at low temperature may play akey role in carbohydrate accumulation at chilling temperatures.This differential response might lead to improvements in survivalat temperatures below 0 °C, regrowth during spring, andwater and nutrient absorption at low temperatures.Copyright1997 Annals of Botany Company Wheat; Triticum aestivum; low temperatures; root growth; root: shoot ratio; sugar accumulation     

Depletion of Oxygen in Roots of Wheat and Maize by Respiration Following Encasement in Olive Oil

The extent to which isolated root systems of 14-d-old seedlingsof wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) were depletedof oxygen by respiration was measured after immersing them inoutgassed olive oil to exclude oxygen entry from the air. Atintervals over 45 min, gas from the roots was removed underpartial vacuum and oxygen partial pressures measured by gaschromatography. Contrary to earlier findings (Erdmann and Wiedenroth,1988), roots were able to utilize almost all of their oxygenwithin 20 min at 25°C, including that dissolved in the thinwater covering interposed between roots and oil. The rate ofaerobic respiration could be estimated readily from the timecourse of oxygen depletion.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Triticum aestivum, Zea mays, roots, anaerobiosis, respiration, oxygen, methods     

The Mechanics of Anchorage in Wheat Triticum aestivum L.: II. ANCHORAGE OF MATURE WHEAT AGAINST LODGING

The root system of mature wheat Triticum aestivum Marts Doveis dominated by the 7 to 15 adventitious roots which emergefrom the perimeter of the stem base, pointing radially outwardsand downwards. The basal, coronal region of these roots is thickand unbranched, attached to a rhizosheath of earth by a densecovering of root hairs and stiffened in bending by lignificationof outer layers of the cortex. Root lodging of plants involves bending of the coronal rootsat their base and axial movement of leeward and windward rootsthrough the soil; their resistance to these motions providemoments resisting lodging. A model of anchorage was producedby summing the resistance of each root to both forms of motionto give two anchorage components. The model was tested in aseries of mechanical experiments in which simulated lodgingwas followed by loading of individual roots; results supportedthe anchorage model and suggested that in the experimental conditionsthe two components of anchorage were approximately equal inmagnitude. The stem was about 30% stronger than the anchoragesystem. The coronal anchorage roots made up 4.4% of total dry mass;it is suggested that anchorage could be improved either by increasinginvestment in this region or by altering root orientation. Sequentialdevelopment of seminal and adventitious root systems is relatedto the changes in anchorage requirement with age.     

The Effect of Nutrient Solution Composition on the Length of Root Hairs of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The length of root hairs of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growingin Long Ashton nitrate nutrient solution was affected mainlyby pH and the concentrations of calcium and nitrate. Root hairlength was decreased by high pH (> 7.0) and by low calciumconcentrations but was increased by nitrate. Buffering at pH6.5 was found to affect the relationship between nutrient solutionstrength and the length of root hairs. The interactions betweencalcium, nitrate and buffering were determined. Phosphate concentrationdid not affect the length of root hairs of wheat, although lowconcentrations have been reported to stimulate root hair growthin other plants. The mechanisms by which pH, calcium and nitratemay affect root hair length are discussed. Key words: Root hairs, Triticum aestivum, Wheat, Nutrient solutions