根源信号参与调控气孔行为的机制及其农业节水意义

在土壤干旱情况下,根源信号一方面向植物地上部分的长距离传输,为地上部分提供了土壤水分获取能力的测度,另一方面调控气孔开度,抑制蒸腾作用并提高植物的水分利用效率．文中综述了根源信号参与调控植物水分利用的生理机制和理论模型,指出该模型与根系吸水模型、气孔导度模型耦合,能够更好地反映植物叶片对土壤干旱以及大气干旱的响应、评述了在根源信号参与调控植物水分关系的基础上发展的调亏灌溉(RDI)、部分根系干旱(PRD)和控制性交替灌溉(CAI)等有效灌溉手段,有助于合理配置根系层供水量,通过根土相互作用和信号物质的传输,降低蒸腾和提高水分利用效率、另外,根源信号在调控根系生长发育、延缓地上部分生长以调节根冠比例,优化资源分配以利于生殖生长等方面均有所为,为全面提高农田水分利用效率提供节水生理基础。     

植物水分传输过程中的调控机制研究进展

农田土壤水分的转化利用与调控是以土壤-植物-大气连续体(SPAC)为基础,以植物为核心,其中水分在植物体内的传输与调控研究一直是国际学术研究的前沿性热点课题。本文概述了植物水分传输的驱动力和传输途径,重点从植物的气孔调节、水容调节、渗透调节、水孔蛋白调节、贮水调节、气穴和栓塞调节等方面综述了植物水分传输过程中的调控机制研究进展。通过对植物存在优化调控水分平衡的潜在能力的研究,不仅可充实SPAC系统水分传输理论,而且有助于明确植物对环境的适应机制和高效用水的潜力及其节水调控的效应,对指导干旱半干旱地区农业生产提供理论依据。     

丛枝菌根真菌对双子叶植物生长和根系特征的影响:整合分析

丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)帮助宿主植物吸收土壤养分和水分,促进植物的生长。研究表明,AMF可影响宿主植物根系的特征,但AMF对宿主植物的生长效应与根系特征的变化效应是否有关,目前仍不清楚。本文采用整合分析(Metaanalysis)的方法,探讨AMF对双子叶植物生长和根系特征的影响以及二者的相关性,并分析AMF的这一影响是否受土壤磷素水平(Olsen-P)的调节。结果表明:AMF显著增加双子叶植物的总生物量、地上部分和地下部分生物量;AMF增加了双子叶植物根长、根面积和根体积,但降低了比根长;AMF对植物的这些影响受土壤磷水平调节,土壤低磷和中磷水平下AMF对植物的生长效应大于土壤高磷水平下的处理,而对根系特征的影响效应在中磷水平下高于低磷和高磷水平的处理。相关性分析结果表明,AMF对双子叶植物生长的影响与对根长、根体积的影响呈显著正相关,在低磷水平下根长对AMF的响应与植物生长的响应(MGR)具有更高的正相关性。本研究结果预示,AMF对宿主植物生长的效应可能通过改变根系特征实现碳的合理分配和从土壤中获得更多的水和养分等资源。     

根际土壤动物及其对植物生长的影响

土壤动物是根际土壤生物的重要组成部分,对于营养物质的转化、储存和释放,土壤微生物的调节及土壤理化性质的改变都发挥着积极作用,最终影响地上植物生长及其生产力。本文综述了土壤动物在根际土壤生态系统中的作用、根际土壤动物与土壤微生物之间的关系、根际土壤动物对植物生长的影响等。就目前根际土壤动物及其对植物生长的影响研究中亟待解决的一些问题进行了探讨,并提出今后应加强研究的方向。     

植物根系分泌物主要生态功能研究进展

根系分泌物在植物根系-土壤-微生物互作过程及其生态反馈机制中发挥重要作用。在植物根际复杂网络互作过程中, 根系分泌物被认为是“根际对话”的媒介, 其在调控植物适应微生境、缓解根际养分竞争及构建根际微生物群落结构方面意义重大。该文结合国内外该领域主要研究成果, 综述了根系分泌物对植物生长、土壤微生物特性及土壤养分循环的影响, 并展望了未来根系分泌物的研究方向。     

根系分泌物介导下植物-土壤-微生物互作关系研究进展与展望

根系分泌物是植物与土壤进行物质交换和信息传递的重要载体物质, 是植物响应外界胁迫的重要途径, 是构成植物不同根际微生态特征的关键因素, 也是根际对话的主要调控者。根系分泌物对于生物地球化学循环、根际生态过程调控、植物生长发育等均具有重要功能, 尤其是在调控根际微生态系统结构与功能方面发挥着重要作用, 调节着植物-植物、植物-微生物、微生物-微生物间复杂的互作过程。植物化感作用、作物间套作、生物修复、生物入侵等都是现代农业生态学的研究热点, 它们都涉及十分复杂的根际生物学过程。越来越多的研究表明, 不论是同种植物还是不同种植物之间相互作用的正效应或是负效应, 都是由根系分泌物介导下的植物与特异微生物共同作用的结果。近年来, 随着现代生物技术的不断完善, 有关土壤这一“黑箱”的研究方法与技术取得了长足的进步, 尤其是各种宏组学技术(meta-omics technology), 如环境宏基因组学、宏转录组学、宏蛋白组学、宏代谢组学等的问世, 极大地推进了人们对土壤生物世界的认知, 尤其是对植物地下部生物多样性和功能多样性的深层次剖析, 根际生物学特性的研究成果被广泛运用于指导生产实践。深入系统地研究根系分泌物介导下的植物-土壤-微生物的相互作用方式与机理, 对揭示土壤微生态系统功能、定向调控植物根际生物学过程、促进农业生产可持续发展等具有重要的指导意义。该文综述了根系分泌物的概念、组成及功能, 论述了根系分泌物介导下植物与细菌、真菌、土壤动物群之间的密切关系, 总结了探索根际生物学特性的各种研究技术及其优缺点, 并对该领域未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

土壤-根系统水分再分配:土壤-植物-大气连续体中的一个小通路

吸收和传导水分一直被视为植物根系最主要的功能之一,而人们对根系在某些情况下还可以向土壤释放水分的事实及其对植物生长和生态系统功能的影响了解得还很不充分,尽管这样的证据由来已久。土壤-根系统水分再分配(Hydraulic redistribution, HR)是近20年间被发现和证实的,指水分从土壤中较湿的部分经由植物的根系传导而运动到土壤中较干的部分,通常发生在蒸腾减弱的夜间,可以沿水势梯度下降的方向而在不同土层间向上向下或侧向运动。HR研究揭示了土壤-植物-大气连续体中有时会存在土壤-根-土壤的水流小通路,细化了土壤-根系统中水分储存和运输的时空动态和机制。土壤水分状况的连续监测、根木质部液流测量、稳定性同位素技术的使用构成了HR实验研究的三大手段。当土壤中深层水分充足的时候,HR可以提高根系吸收和传导水分的效率,有利于植物充分利用资源,延长了浅层土壤的水分可利用期,有利于维持植物组织的生理活性和水流传导;旱季后降水来临的时候,HR可以将一部分降水转移到深层土壤,增加了可利用性水分的总量。对于干旱半干旱的沙地和草原、季节性干旱的森林等类型,HR过程可能对生态系统水分循环产生重要影响。有必要在国内针对这些生态系统展开深入的实验研究,同时探索将HR过程适当结合到生态系统模型和水文模型中,从而更准确地研究和预测群落内植物水分关系和生态系统水分动态。此外,结合农林设计、植被恢复、生态需水量估算和农业节水等方面进行的HR研究也值得深入探索。     

Research Advances in the Main Ecological Functions of Root Exudates

根系分泌物在植物根系-土壤-微生物互作过程及其生态反馈机制中发挥重要作用。在植物根际复杂网络互作过程中, 根系分泌物被认为是“根际对话”的媒介, 其在调控植物适应微生境、缓解根际养分竞争及构建根际微生物群落结构方面意义重大。该文结合国内外该领域主要研究成果, 综述了根系分泌物对植物生长、土壤微生物特性及土壤养分循环的影响, 并展望了未来根系分泌物的研究方向。     

Advances and perspective in research on plant-soil-microbe interactions mediated by root exudates

根系分泌物是植物与土壤进行物质交换和信息传递的重要载体物质, 是植物响应外界胁迫的重要途径, 是构成植物不同根际微生态特征的关键因素, 也是根际对话的主要调控者。根系分泌物对于生物地球化学循环、根际生态过程调控、植物生长发育等均具有重要功能, 尤其是在调控根际微生态系统结构与功能方面发挥着重要作用, 调节着植物-植物、植物-微生物、微生物-微生物间复杂的互作过程。植物化感作用、作物间套作、生物修复、生物入侵等都是现代农业生态学的研究热点, 它们都涉及十分复杂的根际生物学过程。越来越多的研究表明, 不论是同种植物还是不同种植物之间相互作用的正效应或是负效应, 都是由根系分泌物介导下的植物与特异微生物共同作用的结果。近年来, 随着现代生物技术的不断完善, 有关土壤这一“黑箱”的研究方法与技术取得了长足的进步, 尤其是各种宏组学技术(meta-omics technology), 如环境宏基因组学、宏转录组学、宏蛋白组学、宏代谢组学等的问世, 极大地推进了人们对土壤生物世界的认知, 尤其是对植物地下部生物多样性和功能多样性的深层次剖析, 根际生物学特性的研究成果被广泛运用于指导生产实践。深入系统地研究根系分泌物介导下的植物-土壤-微生物的相互作用方式与机理, 对揭示土壤微生态系统功能、定向调控植物根际生物学过程、促进农业生产可持续发展等具有重要的指导意义。该文综述了根系分泌物的概念、组成及功能, 论述了根系分泌物介导下植物与细菌、真菌、土壤动物群之间的密切关系, 总结了探索根际生物学特性的各种研究技术及其优缺点, 并对该领域未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

植物次生细胞壁生物合成的转录调控网络

植物次生细胞壁包含纤维素、半纤维素和木质素, 赋予细胞壁机械强度及疏水性, 这种特性对植物直立生长、水分和营养物质运输以及抵御生物和非生物胁迫十分重要。该文总结了调控次生细胞壁生物合成的转录因子及其调控机制, 包括NAC转录因子调控次生壁合成的一级开关作用, AtMYB46/AtMYB83及其下游调控因子的二级开关作用, 以及其它转录因子对次生壁生物合成的调控作用, 并对未来研究内容和方法进行了展望, 以期为深入系统理解次生细胞壁生物合成的转录调控网络提供参考。     

Molecular mechanisms mediating root hydrotropism: what we have observed since the rediscovery of hydrotropism

Roots display directional growth toward moisture in response to a water potential gradient. Root hydrotropism is thought to facilitate plant adaptation to continuously changing water availability. Hydrotropism has not been as extensively studied as gravitropism. However, comparisons of hydrotropic and gravitropic responses identified mechanisms that are unique to hydrotropism. Regulatory mechanisms underlying the hydrotropic response appear to differ among different species. We recently performed molecular and genetic analyses of root hydrotropism in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of specific mechanisms mediating root hydrotropism in several plant species.

     

An altered hydrotropic response (ahr1) mutant of Arabidopsis recovers root hydrotropism with cytokinin

Roots are highly plastic and can acclimate to heterogeneous and stressful conditions. However, there is little knowledge of the effect of moisture gradients on the mechanisms controlling root growth orientation and branching, and how this mechanism may help plants to avoid drought responses. The aim of this study was to isolate mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with altered hydrotropic responses. Here, altered hydrotropic response 1 (ahr1), a semi-dominant allele segregating as a single gene mutation, was characterized. ahr1 directed the growth of its primary root towards the source of higher water availability and developed an extensive root system over time. This phenotype was intensified in the presence of abscisic acid and was not observed if ahr1 seedlings were grown in a water stress medium without a water potential gradient. In normal growth conditions, primary root growth and root branching of ahr1 were indistinguishable from those of the wild type (wt). The altered hydrotropic growth of ahr1 roots was confirmed when the water-rich source was placed at an angle of 45° from the gravity vector. In this system, roots of ahr1 seedlings grew downward and did not display hydrotropism; however, in the presence of cytokinins, they exhibited hydrotropism like those of the wt, indicating that cytokinins play a critical role in root hydrotropism. The ahr1 mutant represents a valuable genetic resource for the study of the effects of cytokinins in the differential growth of hydrotropism and control of lateral root formation during the hydrotropic response.     

A no hydrotropic response root mutant that responds positively to gravitropism in Arabidopsis

For most plants survival depends upon the capacity of root tips to sense and move towards water and other nutrients in the soil. Because land plants cannot escape environmental stress they use developmental solutions to remodel themselves in order to better adapt to the new conditions. The primary site for perception of underground signals is the root cap (RC). Plant roots have positive hydrotropic response and modify their growth direction in search of water. Using a screening system with a water potential gradient, we isolated a no hydrotropic response (nhr) semi-dominant mutant of Arabidopsis that continued to grow downwardly into the medium with the lowest water potential contrary to the positive hydrotropic and negative gravitropic response seen in wild type-roots. The lack of hydrotropic response of nhr1 roots was confirmed in a system with a gradient in air moisture. The root gravitropic response of nhr1 seedlings was significantly faster in comparison with those of wild type. The frequency of the waving pattern in nhr1 roots was increased compared to those of wild type. nhr1 seedlings had abnormal root cap morphogenesis and reduced root growth sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and the polar auxin transport inhibitor N-(1-naphtyl)phtalamic acid (NPA). These results showed that hydrotropism is amenable to genetic analysis and that an ABA signaling pathway participates in sensing water potential gradients through the root cap.     

玉米初生根向水性诱导优化试验研究

为了研究湿度梯度对根系向水性反应的影响,采用Takahashi and Scott于1993年创建的方法,设置以下3个试验:1)向水性诱导物不同倾斜角试验;2)根系距向水性诱导物不同距离试验;3)根尖距底部饱和K2CO3溶液不同距离试验。同时,还研究了根长和根系延伸速率对根系向水性弯曲的影响。结果表明,用饱和K2CO3溶液控制湿度时根系的向水性弯曲度明显大于纯水。随着诱导物倾斜角的增大,向水性弯曲增强。与距诱导物3 mm和6 mm相比,根系直接接触诱导物时表现出最大的向水性反应。与根尖距底部盐溶液6 cm相比,相距4 cm时向水性弯曲度增大,这些与根尖周围的湿度梯度增大有关。当根长为1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0 cm时,短根比长根表现出更大的向水性反应,这可能与其较慢的延伸速率为根系对湿度梯度的反应提供了更充足的时间有关。为了验证这个假说,用相同长度的根系、通过控制不同温度进行试验,结果表明根系的向水性弯曲随温度升高而降低。可见,玉米初生根的向水性反应受环境和根系发育阶段两方面影响。当根系相距诱导物较近、根系周围的湿度梯度较大时,根系向水性反应更强。而且,具有较小延伸速率根系的向水性反应更大。考虑到干旱条件下根系伸长慢、且土壤中湿度梯度大,因而可以认为干旱条件下根系的向水性生长在玉米吸收水分中有重要作用。同时,对根系向水性诱导方法的优化有助于其生理机制的进一步研究。     

Responses of root architecture development to low phosphorus availability: a review

Background

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for plant growth and development but it is often a limiting nutrient in soils. Hence, P acquisition from soil by plant roots is a subject of considerable interest in agriculture, ecology and plant root biology. Root architecture, with its shape and structured development, can be considered as an evolutionary response to scarcity of resources.

Scope

This review discusses the significance of root architecture development in response to low P availability and its beneficial effects on alleviation of P stress. It also focuses on recent progress in unravelling cellular, physiological and molecular mechanisms in root developmental adaptation to P starvation. The progress in a more detailed understanding of these mechanisms might be used for developing strategies that build upon the observed explorative behaviour of plant roots.

Conclusions

The role of root architecture in alleviation of P stress is well documented. However, this paper describes how plants adjust their root architecture to low-P conditions through inhibition of primary root growth, promotion of lateral root growth, enhancement of root hair development and cluster root formation, which all promote P acquisition by plants. The mechanisms for activating alterations in root architecture in response to P deprivation depend on changes in the localized P concentration, and transport of or sensitivity to growth regulators such as sugars, auxins, ethylene, cytokinins, nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and abscisic acid (ABA). In the process, many genes are activated, which in turn trigger changes in molecular, physiological and cellular processes. As a result, root architecture is modified, allowing plants to adapt effectively to the low-P environment. This review provides a framework for understanding how P deficiency alters root architecture, with a focus on integrated physiological and molecular signalling.     

Regulation by arbuscular mycorrhizae of the integrated physiological response to salinity in plants: new challenges in physiological and molecular studies

Excessive salt accumulation in soils is a major ecological and agronomical problem, in particular in arid and semi-arid areas. Excessive soil salinity affects the establishment, development, and growth of plants, resulting in important losses in productivity. Plants have evolved biochemical and molecular mechanisms that may act in a concerted manner and constitute the integrated physiological response to soil salinity. These include the synthesis and accumulation of compatible solutes to avoid cell dehydration and maintain root water uptake, the regulation of ion homeostasis to control ion uptake by roots, compartmentation and transport into shoots, the fine regulation of water uptake and distribution to plant tissues by the action of aquaporins, the reduction of oxidative damage through improved antioxidant capacity and the maintenance of photosynthesis at values adequate for plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis can help the host plants to cope with the detrimental effects of high soil salinity. There is evidence that AM symbiosis affects and regulates several of the above mentioned mechanisms, but the molecular bases of such effects are almost completely unknown. This review summarizes current knowledge about the effects of AM symbiosis on these physiological mechanisms, emphasizing new perspectives and challenges in physiological and molecular studies on salt-stress alleviation by AM symbiosis.     

Unravelling the response of poplar (Populus nigra) roots to mechanical stress imposed by bending

Abstract

Mechanical stress is a widespread environmental condition that can be caused by several factors (i.e. gravity, touch, wind, soil density, soil compaction and grazing, slope) and that can severely affect plant stability. In response to mechanical stress and to improve their anchorage, plants have developed complex mechanisms to detect mechanical perturbation and to induce a suite of modifications at anatomical, physiological, biochemical, biophysical and molecular level. Although it is well recognized that one of the primary functions of root systems is to anchor the plant to the soil, root response to mechanical stresses have been investigated mainly at morphological and biomechanical level, whereas investigations about the molecular mechanisms underlying these important alterations are still in an initial stage. We have used an experimental system in which the taproot poplar seedlings are bent to simulate mechanical perturbation to begin investigate the mechanisms involved in root response to mechanical stress. The results reported herein show that, in response to bending, the poplar root changes its morphology by emitting new lateral roots, and its biomechanical properties by increasing the root biomass and lignin synthesis. In addition, using a proteomic approach, we found that several proteins involved in the signal transduction pathway, detoxification and metabolism are up-regulated and/or down-regulated in the bent root. These results provide new insight into the obscure field of woody root response to mechanical stress, and can serve as a basis for future investigations aimed at unravelling the complex mechanism involved in the reaction of root biology to environmental stress.     

生物炭影响作物生长及其与化肥混施的增效机制研究进展

利用秸秆型生物炭进行还田改土不仅具有提升作物产量的潜力,而且能够产生明显的环境效益,现已成为当今国内外农业领域的研究热点.本文综述了近年来国内外有关生物炭添加影响作物生长的分子调控机制研究,尤其关注了生物炭与作物根系的互作效应;介绍了生物炭与化肥混施的生物学效应及可能的增效机制;展望了今后的研究方向,以期促进我国相关领域的研究.国内外的最新研究表明:生物炭土壤添加改善植物生长的关键是生长素相关信号转导分子,通过促进植物细胞扩增、细胞壁松弛、水及营养的转运等相关基因的表达,有利于植物的新陈代谢及生长.生物炭及其与根系的相互作用能够直接或间接地影响土壤物理、化学、生物因子,从而在炭、肥互作增效过程中起主导调控作用.     

植物根系分泌物对土壤污染修复的作用及影响机理

生物修复是一种经济环保的土壤修复技术。根系分泌物是利用生物修复污染土壤过程中的关键物质,也是植物与土壤微生物进行物质交换和信息传递的重要载体,在植物响应污染物胁迫中扮演重要角色。研究植物根系分泌物对土壤污染修复的作用和影响机理,是深入理解植物和微生物环境适应机制的重要途径,对促进生物修复污染土壤有重要指导意义。从污染物胁迫对根系分泌物的影响、根系分泌物对土壤污染物环境行为的影响、根系分泌物在调控污染土壤中根际微生物群落结构和多样性中发挥的作用等几个方面综述了根系分泌物对土壤污染修复的影响及内在机制。研究结果表明,根系分泌物在降低重金属对植物的毒性、加速有机污染物降解等方面有非常重要的作用。根系分泌物对土壤微生物的丰度和多样性均有显著影响,其与根际微生物互作在土壤污染物的消减中发挥了重要的调控作用。在此基础上,提出了以往研究中的不足,并对污染物胁迫下根系分泌物未来研究的方向和趋势进行了展望。