EFFECTS OF SOIL WATER DISTRIBUTION ON THE LATERAL ROOT DEVELOPMENT OF THREE SPECIES OF CALIFORNIA OAKS

The responses of seedling root systems of three species of oaks in California to two experimental soil moisture regimes were studied by comparing lateral root development, root and shoot weights, and root: shoot ratios. In the first soil moisture treatment the taproot was allowed to extend into moist soil throughout the duration of the experiment (control), while in the second treatment (shallow) the taproot grew into a dry substrate below 30 cm of moist soil. The treatments were intended to approximate soil moisture conditions experienced by oak seedlings in the field when deep soil water sources vary in their accessibility (control: accessible, shallow: inaccessible). Lateral root growth of Quercus agrifolia did not increase significantly when the primary root tip died in the shallow treatment, resulting in an overall decrease in the percent of the root system composed of lateral roots. Q. douglasii and Q. lobata increased lateral root weights by 80% and 70%, respectively, on the upper 30 cm of the primary root when the primary root tip died. Q. lobata was the only species that decreased in shoot and root weight (25% and 21%, respectively) with the loss of the root tip, indicating that, unlike the other species, it was dependent on the primary root for maximum growth. The morphological responses of these species correspond with their distributions and also may be a factor that influences their interactions with other species.     

Control of soil physical properties and response ofBrassica rapa L. seedling roots

A system was designed, constructed, tested, and used to growBrassica rapa L. seedling roots which were exposed to O₂ concentrations from 0 to 0.21 mol mol⁻¹, water potentials from 0 to −80 kPa, temperatures from 10 to 34°C, and mechanical impedance from 0 to 20.8 kPa. The experimental design was a central composite rotatable design with seven replications of the center point. Measurements were taken of taproot length, taproot diameter at the point of initiation of root hairs (diameter 1), and one cm above the first measurement (diameter 2), and total length and number of first-order laterals. Temperature had the greatest effect on seedling root growth, with linear and quadratic temperature effects significant for all root measurements except taproot diameter 2 which just had a significant linear effect. Water potential had a significant linear effect on lateral length and number of laterals and a significant quadratic effect on taproot diameter 1. Mechanical impedance had a significant effect only on taproot diameter 2. Oxygen was not significant for any root measurement. The mechanical impedance by water potential interaction was significant for taproot length and taproot diameter 1. A temperature optimum was found for taproot length, taproot diameter 1, lateral length, and lateral number, at 26.0, 42.5, 26.5, and 26.4°C, respectively. Taproot diameter 1 had a water potential optimum at −36.5 kPa, whereas taproot diameter 2 had a mechanical impedance optimum at 12.5 kPa. A growth cell designed for this study allows independent control of soil strength, water potential, oxygen concentration, and temperature. Thus, the cell provides the capability which was demonstrated forBrassica rapa L. to grow seedling roots under complete control of the soil physical properties.     

Allometric relationships in young seedlings of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) following removal of certain root types

Sink-source relationships and allometric ratios were studied in young seedlings of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) following pruning of some root types. The plants were grown in an aeroponic system allowing an easy access to each part of the root system, throughout the experiment, without disturbing the others. Root, leaf and stem growth as well as their mineral content were determined in one group of undisturbed plants (CTRL) and in four groups of plants treated as follows: TAP – the distal-free portion of the taproot was removed; HALF – half the laterals were removed; ALL – all lateral roots were removed, and TAP+HALF – both the distal part of the taproot and half of the laterals were removed. Removal of all the lateral roots (ALL) induced the development of a longer taproot but severely arrested shoot growth. Phosphorus, potassium and calcium contents were lower in the plants of the ALL treatment. However, the content of Mg was practically unaffected. The effect of the HALF treatment was hardly noticeable but the effects of TAP+HALF treatment were cumulative. The allometric relationships between the surface area of the roots and that of the leaves were restored within the experimental period, apparently due to reduction in shoot growth. Removal of the distal parts of the taproot did not cause an increase in shoot growth. This indicates that the strength of the sinks (mostly of lateral roots) rather than that of the source determines these relationships.     

不同栽植密度对斑叶稠李苗木培育质量的影响

以斑叶稠李（Padus maackii）1年生苗木为研究对象,通过4种不同栽植密度（60、80、100、120 株·m^-2）试验,测定其苗木形态、生物量、光合速率及养分含量,旨在探明不同密度对斑叶稠李苗木生长及养分含量的影响,为其高质量苗木培育提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）栽植密度显著影响苗木生物量,各密度下苗木根、茎、叶生物量由大到小顺序均为80 株·m^-2 > 60 株·m^-2 > 100 株·m^-2 > 120 株·m^-2;60和80 株·m^-2密度下斑叶稠李苗木质量指数显著高于100和120 株·m^-2密度处理。（2）栽植密度显著影响苗木侧根数,在80 株·m^-2的密度下达到最大;（3）80 株·m^-2密度较其它密度显著提高了苗木氮、磷、钾养分含量。（4）叶生物量、根生物量和侧根数与苗木各质量指标间Pearson相关性系数均达到了显著水平（P<0.1）,而光合速率和主根长与苗木各质量指标均不相关（P>0.1）。综合以上结果,斑叶稠李1年生苗木最适栽植密度为80 株·m^-2,且密度处理主要影响斑叶稠李苗木叶生物量、侧根数及根生物量指标,进而影响苗木质量。     

A comparison of root architecture and shoot morphology between naturally regenerated and container-grown seedlings of Quercus ilex

We explored the different mechanisms developed by naturally regenerated seedlings of Quercus ilex L. (Holm oak) under Mediterranean conditions compared to container-seedlings commonly used in plantations. We examined the differences in root architecture (including topology and morphology) and shoot parameters. The results showed that there are many differences in the architecture of the root system as well as in the shoot morphology between the two types of seedlings. The naturally regenerated seedlings were smaller with regard to most of the shoot and root parameters, but they developed a longer taproot, only first order lateral roots, and presented a more herringbone-like root system compared to the container seedlings. Conversely, all types of container seedlings, were larger and had a more extended root system with many orders of lateral roots, while their taproot length was restricted within the container’s depth. The quotient log (α)/ log (μ) for all seedlings, showed a tendency to decrease with plant size. A strict herringbone root system with an elongated taproot may be the optimal root architecture for Quercus ilex L. seedlings in order to survive under Mediterranean conditions.     

亚适宜温光下萘乙酸钠对番茄幼苗生长与生理特性的影响

以番茄“中杂105”为试材,研究亚适宜温光条件下根施10 mg·L^-1萘乙酸钠对番茄幼苗生长与生理特性的影响.结果表明： 亚适宜温光处理番茄幼苗生物量、壮苗指数、根系活力、光合速率、根系和叶片中全氮含量均显著下降,超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性升高,过氧化氢酶活性降低,玉米素核苷含量显著下降,而脱落酸含量显著增加.亚适宜温光条件下,与对照相比,根施10 mg·L^-1萘乙酸钠可使番茄幼苗全株干质量、壮苗指数分别提高16.4%、22.9%,并使根、叶中全N含量及光合速率分别增加8.5%、28.5%、37.0%,提高根系活力和保护酶活性,增加吲哚乙酸和玉米素核苷含量,抑制脱落酸含量的增加.亚适宜温光处理下,根施10 mg·L^-1萘乙酸钠可以通过提高番茄幼苗根系活力、保护酶活性和光合速率,调控内源激素水平变化,促进番茄幼苗生长.     

不同培育时间侧柏种基盘苗根系生长和分布

以3月直接在培养池中播种培育的侧柏种基盘苗作对照,将同期播种的侧柏种基盘苗进行悬空培养,于6月、8月和10月分别移栽到培育池(分别称为种基盘苗、6月移栽苗、8月移栽苗、10月移栽苗),并于翌年3月挖根,研究不同培育时间对移栽后侧柏幼苗根系生长和分布的影响。结果表明:苗木株高、根分布最大深度、根和地上部干重由大到小依次为:6月移栽苗>8月移栽苗>种基盘苗>10月移栽苗。根冠比由大到小依次为6月移栽苗>8月移栽苗>10月移栽苗>种基盘苗,但除了种基盘苗与6月移栽苗之间差异性显著外,其它处理之间差异性不显著。随着悬空培育时间的延长,空气断根限制了侧柏主根的生长,促进了侧根生长,降低了主侧根长度比。但经悬空培育后,任何处理的移栽苗都没有发生根系盘绕现象,移栽后主根的再生没有受到影响。     

Modification of root architecture in woody plants is possible for the presence of two different mechanisms of lateral root production: The effect of slope in Spartium junceum L. seedlings

Abstract

This paper investigates the modification of root architecture of Spartium junceum L. seedlings grown in slope condition. It is reported that 50% of the total number of lateral roots are concentrated in few centimetres of the taproot near the collar. The anatomical analysis of transverse sections along the taproot axis reveals that this taproot zone is characterised by two types of lateral roots: one with a trace extending to the centre of the vascular cylinder by following the path of a medullar ray; one with a trace which ends in the vascular cambium. The first type may be lateral roots originated from the taproot primary structure; the second type seems to be lateral roots developing later when a secondary structure has completely substituted the primary structure. The emission of this second type of lateral roots seems to be strongly controlled by environmental conditions with considerable consequences upon the overall root architecture. In the example reported in this paper, young plants growing under mechanical stress due to a slope develop asymmetric root architecture with lateral roots elongating in two prevalent directions: up-slope or down-slope. This asymmetric architecture is produced in the zone of the taproot where a secondary structure is present and represents the plant response to the need of increasing its anchorage strength.     

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.     

Compared root system architectures in seedlings and in vitro plantlets of Hevea brasiliensis,in the initial years of growth in the field

In vitro culture of Hevea was undertaken to propagate selected clones on their own roots. The challenge was to overcome the failure of cuttings due to the poor conformity of regenerated root systems. Trees of several juvenile or mature genotypes were propagated either by in vitro microcutting, or by somatic embryogenesis, and planted in the field. Certain static and dynamic components of the root system were observed at different growth stages, from 0 to 3 years, and compared to those of seedlings of the same age used in the trial as a reference. A simple method was designed for measuring the vigour and balance of the root system. The in vitro plantlets had a well-developed taproot and lateral root system, with an architecture similar to that of plants obtained from seed. Moreover, clear differences occurred between selected clones for the relative vigour of the tap roots, lateral roots and trunk. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

辽东栎幼苗根系形态特征对环境梯度的响应

以辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)在陕西不同分布区:秦岭北坡(太白)、黄土高原南部(黄龙)和黄土高原中部(延安)为研究地点并设置样地,对1—5年生辽东栎幼苗的根系形态指标进行测定,分析辽东栎幼苗根系形态特征及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明:由秦岭北坡到黄土高原中部,黄龙地区辽东栎幼苗根系在发育前期(1—2年)低于太白和延安,总体上黄龙地区幼苗根系总长度、表面积、总体积、根尖数、平均直径、组织密度和单株生物量高于太白和延安地区。在太白地区,辽东栎幼苗根系表面积、总体积和平均直径较小,根系分岔数较大,幼苗根系主要通过提高分岔数来拓展自己的营养空间以适应环境;在黄龙和延安地区,幼苗根系表面积、总体积和平均直径较大,根系分岔数较小,幼苗根系主要是通过根系的伸长生长适应胁迫环境。3个地区辽东栎幼苗根系总长度、表面积、总体积、根尖数和分岔数随年龄的增长呈线性函数变化格局,均可用线性函数方程y=ax+b(a0,P0.05)进行描述。冗余分析表明幼苗根系分岔数、总长度、比根长和根尖数与土壤速效磷、硝态氮、速效钾、降雨量、石砾含量和速效氮呈正相关;与较高的土壤pH值、年均温和夏季气温呈负相关。未来辽东栎林抚育经营中,含石砾的湿润土壤生境更有利于辽东栎幼苗根系生长。     

Competition within the root system of rubber seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis) studied by root pruning and blockage

The effects of taproot blocking and pruning on the developmentof the early secondary roots (ESR) of rubber seedlings werestudied in root observation boxes under controlled conditions.During shoot flush, both the mean elongation rate and mean apicaldiameter of the ESR decreased regardless of treatments. Thereafter,the elongation rate of the ESR increased greatly when the taprootwas blocked, slightly for the control and scarcely for the prunedsystems in which fast growing regenerated roots developed. Thedifferences between treatments were related to the proportionof ESR which ceased growing. Following shoot arrest, the apicaldiameter of ESR increased greatly for blocked seedlings andto a lesser extent for pruned seedlings. Branching density ofthe ESR and elongation of tertiary roots were also higher forseedlings without a growing taproot. The dynamics of ESR response was not consistent with activeinhibition of their development by the growing taproot. Moreover,this response was dependent on concurrent development of shootand regenerating roots, hence competition processes were morelikely to be determining. In such an hypothesis, root elongationcan be limited by assimilate availability, but also by eachroot's maximum growth rate in non-limiting conditions, i.e.growth potential. Since the latter is related to apical diameter,a significant acceleration of elongation required a parallelincrease in apical diameter and this may explain the relativeinertia of ESR to taproot alteration. Conversely, regeneratingroots could have a high growth potential because they were initiatedin a favourable context, thus their development competed stronglywith elongation of ESR. Key words: Hevea brasiliensis, root system, development, growth potential, root diameter, competition     

土壤湿度对香樟幼苗根系生长和构型的影响

以1年生香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)幼苗为试材,设置对照组(CK)、中度干旱处理(M)、重度干旱处理(S)三个处理,比较不同土壤湿度下香樟幼苗不同时期地上部分生长和根系构型,探究香樟幼苗根系对不同土壤湿度的适应性及其耐旱机制。结果表明,中度和重度干旱处理组的香樟根系及地上部分干物质积累、根系长度、根系表面积、根系直径和根尖数均显著小于对照组(P<0.05)。同时干旱显著增加香樟幼苗的根系拓扑指数,降低香樟根的分形维数和平均分枝角度(P<0.05)。可见土壤湿度程度及处理时间显著影响香樟根系的生长及在土壤中的布局。较低土壤湿度可显著抑制根长的延长、根表面积扩大和根的增殖,且随着土壤湿度的继续降低以及处理时间延长,香樟幼苗根系的生长受到水分亏缺的抑制作用加重,根系建成成本增高的同时,根系分枝的复杂性降低,根系必须通过朝着更陡、更深的方向生长伸长来提高水分吸收效率。建议在园林绿化工程养护过程中制定科学的水分管理策略,以满足香樟生长过程中对土壤水分的需要。     

Improving Glycyrrhiza uralensis salt tolerance with N+ ion irradiation

Low energy (25 keV) N⁺ ions were implanted into liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) seeds at a fluency of either zero (control) or 900 × (2.6 × 10¹³) ions/cm². After irradiation, all the seeds were planted in the plastic pots for a growth period of one month. Thereafter, the seedlings in the pot were subjected to saline stress at 600 mM for about 3 days. The morphological and physiological characteristics such as total chlorophyll content, proline level, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ATPase, and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction in seedling roots were investigated. Our results indicated that ion irradiation significantly increased the shoot height, leaflet number, taproot lenght, lateral root number, and shoot and root weights of liquorice seedlings with or without saline stress. Furthermore, the total chlorophyll content, proline level, SOD, POD, CAT, ATPase activities, and root TTC reduction vigor of seedlings were all found to be significantly increased under saline stress by ion irradiation compared with their corresponding controls. These results indicated that ion irradiation can strengthen the resistance of liquorice seedlings to saline stress and may have a potential application for the improvement of plants in sand areas.     

Effects of sand burial depth on the root system of Salix cheilophila seedlings in Mu Us Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China

Salix cheilophila Schneid. is a naturally occurring Salix species in Mu Us Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China. We focused on the morphological adaptability of S. cheilophila to sand dune burial. For morphological measurements, 32 S. cheilophila seedlings were removed from a community which was in the process of being buried by a shifting sand dune. Each seedling collected included the entire root system. We measured the number, length, and biomass of the adventitious roots, primary lateral roots, and taproot, and compared the morphological characteristics of the root system, including adventitious roots, for seedlings buried to various levels in the sand. The growth range of adventitious roots increased as the length of the buried portion of the main shoot increased. In addition, the total dry weight of all current-year shoots tended to increase gradually with increasing total dry weight of the adventitious roots. These results suggest that S. cheilophila tends to make use of the sedimentary sand layer that accompanies shifting sand dunes. However, there was no correlation between biomass or number of adventitious roots and the length of the buried part of the main shoot. Thus, S. cheilophila does not grow adventitious roots proportional to the buried part. These morphological characteristics of the root system, including the adventitious roots, may indicate that S. cheilophila has poor morphological adaptability to sand dune burial.     

Growth and branching of the taproot of young oak trees--a dynamic study

The growth and branching of the taproot of young oak trees werestudied on seedlings grown in root observation boxes over aperiod of 30–45 d. The development of shoots and rootswere recorded daily on a set of eight plants, and additionalobservations on the initiation of primordia were made on anotherset of 18 plants. Taproot growth was typically indeterminateand linear, with growth rates in the range of 1.5–2.5cm d^–1. In some cases, however, growth slowed down orstopped, and resumed a few days later. The growth of shootsand roots were not synchronized. Taproots branched in two ways:acropetal branches emerged from 4–8-d-old taproot tissues,and late branches emerged from older tissues (up to 30 d inour experiment). The latter appeared especially when taprootgrowth slowed down or stopped. New primordia were initiatedon tissues older than 1.4 d, and lateral roots emerged aftera minimal development duration of 2.3 d. These time-relatedparameters described the emergence of branching very effectivety,since they were quite stable over a wide range of taproot growthrates. However, emergence duration decreased slightly in fastgrowing taproots. Branching density tended to increase withthe taproot growth rate. Physiological significance and consequences for modelling rootsystem development are discussed. Key words: Quercus robur, root system, growth, branching, primordium initiation     

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Diversispora spurca ameliorates effects of waterlogging on growth,root system architecture and antioxidant enzyme activities of citrus seedlings

Citrus plants are often exposed to heavy rain and subsequent periods of soil waterlogging which severely restrict tree growth. We assessed the effect of one arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus species (Diversispora spurca) on growth, root system architecture (RSA), and antioxidant enzyme activities of young citrus (Citrus junos) seedlings. Waterlogging for 37 d significantly restricted mycorrhizal colonization but increased the number of entry points and vesicles. Compared with non-mycorrhizal controls, mycorrhizal seedlings had significantly greater plant height, fresh mass, total root and taproot lengths, projected and surface root areas, root volume, and numbers of lst, 2nd and 3rd order lateral roots regardless of waterlogging treatment. D. spurca significantly increased root catalase (CAT) activity in non-stressed seedlings and increased root soluble protein concentration and leaf CAT activity in waterlogged seedlings, thereby inducing lower oxidative damage. These results suggest that D. spurca ameliorates effects of waterlogging on growth, RSA and antioxidant enzyme activities.     

Responses of young trees to wind and shading: effects on root architecture

Two wind tunnels were designed to detect influences of windon the development of the root systems of young trees: Piceasitchensis and Larix decidua were grown in the first and L.decidua only in the second. In the second experiment, the taproot of each L. decidua seedling was removed in order to mimicthe formation of a shallow root-plate. Responses of shoot growthto wind stress were small, although uneven irradiance levelsresulted in asymmetric growth of both shoots and roots; thedistribution of root biomass around the tree was related spatiallyto that of shoot growth In both experiments there was an increase in the number of largewindward and leeward roots in both species. In the first experiment,the sum of the crosssectional area (     

三峡库区消落带土壤水分变化对落羽杉（Taxodium distichum）幼苗根部次生代谢物质含量及根生物量的影响

模拟三峡库区消落带土壤淹水变化特征设置了常规生长水分条件(CK组,土壤含水量为田间持水量的60%～63%)、轻度干旱水分胁迫(T1组,土壤含水量为田间持水量的47%～50%)、土壤水饱和(T2组,土壤表面一直处于潮湿状态)以及水淹(T3组,苗木根部淹水超过土壤表面1cm)4个不同处理组,研究落羽杉当年实生幼苗根部次生代谢物质含量与生物量的变化(均以干重计)。研究表明,不同水分处理对落羽杉幼苗主根、侧根和根部苹果酸、莽草酸含量以及生物量的影响程度有所差异,其中以T3组受到的影响最为明显。主根苹果酸、莽草酸含量在整个试验期的总体平均值,T3组显著低于CK组,分别达28.0%和16.4%;相反侧根苹果酸、莽草酸总体平均含量T3组则极其显著地高于CK组分别达105.7%和152.6%,根部平均值T3组显著地高于CK组分别达32.7%和26.2%。与之形成鲜明对比,主根、侧根和根部苹果酸、莽草酸含量在整个试验期的总体平均值,T1、T2与CK组相互之间分别均无显著差异。各处理组之间主根生物量没有显著差异;与CK和T1组相比,T3组侧根生物量分别降低38.3%和40.8%,根部生物量分别降低31.9%和31.1%,但与T2组相比均未达到显著差异。主根苹果酸含量与根系各部分莽草酸含量和生物量之间均无显著相关性,相反侧根、根部的苹果酸与莽草酸含量以及二者与生物量相互间均表现出显著或极显著相关性。在三峡库区消落带土壤含水量变化条件下,落羽杉幼苗将充分利用侧根增强代谢适应调节能力,通过产生大量苹果酸和莽草酸、减少根部生物量积累适应根部水淹环境,通过维持与CK组同样水平的代谢和生长而适应轻度干旱与饱和水环境。