Water Transfer in an Alfalfa/Maize Association : Survival of Maize during Drought

We investigated the possibility of interspecific water transfer in an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) association. An alfalfa plant was grown through two vertically stacked plastic tubes. A 5 centimeter air gap between tubes was bridged by alfalfa roots. Five-week old maize plants with roots confined to the top tube were not watered, while associated alfalfa roots had free access to water in the bottom tube (the −/+ treatment). Additional treatments included: top and bottom tubes watered (+/+), top and bottom tubes droughted (−/−), and top tube droughted after removal of alfalfa root bridges and routine removal of alfalfa tillers (−^*). Predawn leaf water potential of maize in the −/+ treatment fell to −1.5 megapascals 13 days after the start of drought; thereafter, predawn and midday potentials were maintained near −1.9 megapascals. Leaf water potentials of maize in the −/− and −^* treatments declined steadily; all plants in these treatments were completely desiccated before day 50. High levels of tritium activity were detected in water extracted from both alfalfa and maize leaves after ³H₂O was injected into the bottom −/+ tube at day 70 or later. Maize in the −/+ treatment was able to survive an otherwise lethal period of drought by utilizing water lost by alfalfa roots.     

Temporal Variation of Denitrification Activity in Plant-Covered, Littoral Sediment from Lake Hampen, Denmark

Diel and seasonal variations in denitrification were determined in a littoral lake sediment colonized by the perennial macrophyte Littorella uniflora (L.) Aschers. In the winter, the activity was low (5 μmol of N m⁻² h⁻¹) and was restricted to the uppermost debris layer at a depth of 0 to 1 cm. By midsummer, the activity increased to 50 μmol of N m⁻² h⁻¹ and was found throughout the root zone to a depth of 10 cm. The root zone accounted for as much as 50 to 70% of the annual denitrification. A significant release of organic substrates from the roots seemed to determine the high activities of root zone denitrification in the summer. The denitrification in the surface layer and in the root zone formed two distinct activity zones in the summer, when the root zone also contained nitrification activity, as indicated from the accumulations of NO₃⁻. Light conditions inhibited denitrification in both the surface layer and the upper part of the root zone, suggesting that a release of O₂ by benthic algae and from the roots of L. uniflora controlled a diel variation of denitrification. In midsummer, the rate of denitrification in both the surface layer and the upper part of the root zone was limited by NO₃⁻. In the growth season, there was evidence for a significant population of denitrifiers closely associated with the root surface.     

Evaluation of water stress control with polyethylene glycols by analysis of guttation

The water relations of pepper plants (Capsicum frutescens L.) under conditions conducive to guttation were studied to evaluate the control of plant water stress with polyethylene glycols. The addition of polyethylene glycol 6000 to the nutrient solution resulted in water relations similar to those expected in soil at the same water potentials. Specifically, xylem pressure potential in the root and leaf became more negative during a 24-hour treatment period, while osmotic potential of the root xylem sap remained constant. The decrease in pressure potential was closely correlated with the decrease in osmotic potential of the nutrient solution. In contrast, the addition of polyethylene glycol 400 to the nutrient medium resulted in a reduction of osmotic potential in the root xylem sap; this osmotic adjustment in the xylem was large enough to establish an osmotic gradient for entry of water and cause guttation at a nutrient solution osmotic potential of −4.8 bars. Pressure potential in the root and leaf xylem became negative only at nutrient solution osmotic potentials lower than −4.8 bars. About half of the xylem osmotic adjustment in the presence of polyethylene glycol 400 was caused by increased accumulation of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in the root xylem. These studies indicate that larger polyethylene glycol molecules such as polyethylene glycol 6000 are more useful for simulating soil water stress than smaller molecules such as polyethylene glycol 400.     

Cyclic variations in nitrogen uptake rate in soybean plants

Uptake of NO₃⁻ by nonnodulated soybean plants (Glycine max L. Merr. cv Ransom) growing in flowing hydroponic culture at 22 and 14°C root temperatures was measured daily during a 31-day growth period. Ion chromatography was used to determine removal of NO₃⁻ from solution during each 24-hour period. At both root-zone temperatures, rate of NO₃⁻ uptake per plant oscillated with a periodicity of 3 to 5 days. The rate of NO₃⁻ uptake per plant was consistently lower at 14°C than 22°C. The lower rate of NO₃⁻ uptake at 14°C during the initial 5 to 10 days was caused by reduced uptake rates per gram root dry weight, but with time uptake rates per gram root became equal at 14 and 22°C. Thereafter, the continued reduction in rate of NO₃⁻ uptake per plant at 14°C was attributable to slower root growth.     

Physiological Characterization of a Single-Gene Mutant of Pisum sativum Exhibiting Excess Iron Accumulation: I. Root Iron Reduction and Iron Uptake

Root systems of mutant (E107) and parental (cv `Sparkle') Pisum sativum genotypes were studied to determine the basis for excess Fe accumulation in E107. Plants were grown with (+Fe-treated) or without (−Fe-treated) added Fe(III)-N,N'-ethylenebis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)glycine] in aerated nutrient solutions. Daily measurements of Fe(III) reduction indicated a four-to seven-fold higher reduction rate in +Fe- or −Fe-treated E107, and −Fe-treated Sparkle, when compared with +Fe-treated Sparkle. An agarose-based staining technique used to localize Fe(III) reduction, revealed Fe(III) reduction over most of the length of the roots (but not at the root apices) in both E107 treatments and −Fe-treated Sparkle. In +Fe-treated Sparkle, Fe(III) reduction was either nonexistent or localized to central regions of the roots. Measurements of short-term Fe influx (with 0.1 millimolar ⁵⁹Fe(III)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) was also enhanced (threefold) in +Fe- or −Fe-treated E107 and −Fe-treated Sparkle, relative to +Fe-treated Sparkle. The physiological characteristics of E107 root systems, which are similar to those seen in Fe-deficient Sparkle, have led us to conclude that the mutation causes E107 to act functionally as an Fe-deficient plant, and appears to explain the excess Fe accumulation in E107.     

Water Transport across Maize Roots : Simultaneous Measurement of Flows at the Cell and Root Level by Double Pressure Probe Technique

A double pressure probe technique was used to measure simultaneously water flows and hydraulic parameters of individual cells and of excised roots of young seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.) in osmotic experiments. By following initial flows of water at the cell and root level and by estimating the profiles of driving forces (water potentials) across the root, the hydraulic conductivity of individual cell layers was evaluated. Since the hydraulic conductivity of the cell-to-cell path was determined separately, the hydraulic conductivity of the cell wall material could be evaluated as well (Lp_cw = 0.3 to 6.10⁻⁹ per meter per second per megapascal). Although, for radial water flow across the cortex and rhizodermis, the apoplasmic path was predominant, the contribution of the hydraulic conductance of the cell-to-cell path to the overall conductance increased significantly from the first layer of the cortex toward the inner layers from 2% to 23%. This change was mainly due to an increase of the hydraulic conductivity of the cell membranes which was Lp = 1.9.10⁻⁷ per meter per second per megapascal in the first layer and Lp = 14 to 9.10⁻⁷ per meter per second per megapascal in the inner layers of the cortex. The hydraulic conductivity of entire roots depended on whether hydrostatic or osmotic forces were used to induce water flows. Hydrostatic Lp_r was 1.2 to 2.3.10⁻⁷ per meter per second per megapascal and osmotic Lp_r = 1.6 to 2.8.10⁻⁸ per meter per second per megapascal. The apparent reflection coefficients of root cells (σ_s) of nonpermeating solutes (KCI, PEG 6000) decreased from values close to unity in the rhizodermis to about 0.7 to 0.8 in the cortex. In all cases, however, σ_s was significantly larger than the reflection coefficient of entire roots (σ_sr). For KCI and PEG 6000, σ_sr was 0.53 and 0.64, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of a composite membrane model of the root.     

Tolerance of Hordeum marinum accessions to O2 deficiency, salinity and these stresses combined

Background and Aims

When root-zone O₂ deficiency occurs together with salinity, regulation of shoot ion concentrations is compromised even more than under salinity alone. Tolerance was evaluated amongst 34 accessions of Hordeum marinum, a wild species in the Triticeae, to combined salinity and root-zone O₂ deficiency. Interest in H. marinum arises from the potential to use it as a donor for abiotic stress tolerance into wheat.

Methods

Two batches of 17 H. marinum accessions, from (1) the Nordic Gene Bank and (2) the wheat belt of Western Australia, were exposed to 0·2 or 200 mol m⁻³ NaCl in aerated or stagnant nutrient solution for 28–29 d. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was included as a sensitive check species. Growth, root porosity, root radial O₂ loss (ROL) and leaf ion (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) concentrations were determined.

Key Results

Owing to space constraints, this report is focused mainly on the accessions from the Nordic Gene Bank. The 17 accessions varied in tolerance; relative growth rate was reduced by 2–38 % in stagnant solution, by 8–42 % in saline solution (aerated) and by 39–71 % in stagnant plus saline treatment. When in stagnant solution, porosity of adventitious roots was 24–33 %; salinity decreased the root porosity in some accessions, but had no effect in others. Roots grown in stagnant solution formed a barrier to ROL, but variation existed amongst accessions in apparent barrier ‘strength’. Leaf Na⁺ concentration was 142–692 µmol g⁻¹ d. wt for plants in saline solution (aerated), and only increased to 247–748 µmol g⁻¹ d. wt in the stagnant plus saline treatment. Leaf Cl⁻ also showed only small effects of stagnant plus saline treatment, compared with saline alone. In comparison with H. marinum, wheat was more adversely affected by each stress alone, and particularly when combined; growth reductions were greater, adventitious root porosity was 21 %, it lacked a barrier to ROL, leaf K⁺ declined to lower levels, and leaf Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were 3·1–9-fold and 2·8–6-fold higher, respectively, in wheat.

Conclusions

Stagnant treatment plus salinity reduced growth more than salinity alone, or stagnant alone, but some accessions of H. marinum were still relatively tolerant of these combined stresses, maintaining Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ‘exclusion’ even in an O₂-deficient, saline rooting medium.Key words: Aerenchyma, combined salinity and waterlogging, leaf Cl⁻, leaf K⁺, leaf Na⁺, radial O₂ loss, salt tolerance, salinity–waterlogging interaction, sea barleygrass, waterlogging tolerance, wheat, wild Triticeae     

Removing Constraints on the Biomass Production of Freshwater Macroalgae by Manipulating Water Exchange to Manage Nutrient Flux

Freshwater macroalgae represent a largely overlooked group of phototrophic organisms that could play an important role within an industrial ecology context in both utilising waste nutrients and water and supplying biomass for animal feeds and renewable chemicals and fuels. This study used water from the intensive aquaculture of freshwater fish (Barramundi) to examine how the biomass production rate and protein content of the freshwater macroalga Oedogonium responds to increasing the flux of nutrients and carbon, by either increasing water exchange rates or through the addition of supplementary nitrogen and CO₂. Biomass production rates were highest at low flow rates (0.1–1 vol.day⁻¹) using raw pond water. The addition of CO₂ to cultures increased biomass production rates by between 2 and 25% with this effect strongest at low water exchange rates. Paradoxically, the addition of nitrogen to cultures decreased productivity, especially at low water exchange rates. The optimal culture of Oedogonium occurred at flow rates of between 0.5–1 vol.day⁻¹, where uptake rates peaked at 1.09 g.m⁻².day⁻¹ for nitrogen and 0.13 g.m⁻².day⁻¹ for phosphorous. At these flow rates Oedogonium biomass had uptake efficiencies of 75.2% for nitrogen and 22.1% for phosphorous. In this study a nitrogen flux of 1.45 g.m⁻².day⁻¹ and a phosphorous flux of 0.6 g.m⁻².day⁻¹ was the minimum required to maintain the growth of Oedogonium at 16–17 g DW.m⁻².day⁻¹ and a crude protein content of 25%. A simple model of minimum inputs shows that for every gram of dry weight biomass production (g DW.m⁻².day⁻¹), Oedogonium requires 0.09 g.m⁻².day⁻¹ of nitrogen and 0.04 g.m⁻².day⁻¹ of phosphorous to maintain growth without nutrient limitation whilst simultaneously maintaining a high-nutrient uptake rate and efficiency. As such the integrated culture of freshwater macroalgae with aquaculture for the purposes of nutrient recovery is a feasible solution for the bioremediation of wastewater and the supply of a protein resource.     

Inhibition of anion transport in corn root protoplasts

The effects of several amino-reactive disulfonic stilbene derivatives and N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)-2-aminoethylsulfonate on Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake in protoplasts isolated from corn root tissue were studied. 4-Acetamido-4′-isothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, and NAP-taurine inhibited Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ but not Pi and K⁺ uptake in corn root protoplasts; whereas mersalyl inhibited Pi but not Cl⁻ or SO₄²⁻ uptake. The rate of uptake of all anions decreased with increasing external pH. In addition, these reagents markedly inhibited plasmalemma ATPase activity isolated from corn root tissue. Excised root segments were less sensitive to Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ transport inhibitors.     

Detrimental effect of rust infection on the water relations of bean

Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) infected with the rust Uromyces phaseoli became unusually susceptible to drought as sporulation occurred. Under the conditions used (1,300 ft-c, 27 C, and 55% relative humidity) such plants wilted at soil water potentials greater than −1 bar, whereas healthy plants did not wilt until the soil water potential fell below −3.4 bars. Determinations of leaf water and osmotic potentials showed that an alteration in leaf osmotic potential was not responsible for the wilting of diseased plants. When diffusive resistance was measured as a function of decreasing leaf water content, the resistance of healthy leaves increased to 50 sec cm⁻¹ by the time relative water content decreased to 70%, whereas the resistance of diseased leaves remained less than 8 sec cm⁻¹ down to 50% relative water content. Apparently, water vapor loss through cuticle damaged by the sporulation process, together with the reduction in root to shoot ratio which occurs in diseased plants, upset the water economy of the diseased plant under mild drought conditions.     

Water transport in maize roots : measurement of hydraulic conductivity, solute permeability, and of reflection coefficients of excised roots using the root pressure probe

A root pressure probe has been used to measure the root pressure (P_r) exerted by excised main roots of young maize plants (Zea Mays L.). Defined gradients of hydrostatic and osmotic pressure could be set up between root xylem and medium to induce radial water flows across the root cylinder in both directions. The hydraulic conductivity of the root (Lp_r) was evaluated from root pressure relaxations. When permeating solutes were added to the medium, biphasic root pressure relaxations were observed with water and solute phases and root pressure minima (maxima) which allowed the estimation of permeability (P_Sr) and reflection coefficients (σ_sr) of roots. Reflection coefficients were: ethanol, 0.27; mannitol, 0.74; sucrose, 0.54; PEG 1000, 0.82; NaCl, 0.64; KNO₃, 0.67, and permeability coefficients (in 10⁻⁸ meters per second): ethanol, 4.7; sucrose, 1.6; and NaCl, 5.7. Lp_r was very different for osmotic and hydrostatic gradients. For hydrostatic gradients Lp_r was 1·10⁻⁷ meters per second per megapascal, whereas in osmotic experiments the hydraulic conductivity was found to be an order of magnitude lower. For hydrostatic gradients, the exosmotic Lp_r was about 15% larger than the endosmotic, whereas in osmotic experiments the polarity in the water movement was reversed. These results either suggest effects of unstirred layers at the osmotic barrier in the root, an asymmetrical barrier, and/or mechanical effects. Measurements of the hydraulic conductivity of individual root cortex cells revealed an Lp similar to Lp_r (hydrostatic). It is concluded that, in the presence of external hydrostatic gradients, water moves primarily in the apoplast, whereas in the presence of osmotic gradients this component is much smaller in relation to the cell-to-cell component (symplasmic plus transcellular transport).     

Studies of the Regulation of Nitrate Influx by Barley Seedlings Using NO(3)

Using ¹³NO₃⁻, effects of various NO₃⁻ pretreatments upon NO₃⁻ influx were studied in intact roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Klondike). Prior exposure of roots to NO₃⁻ increased NO₃⁻ influx and net NO₃⁻ uptake. This `induction' of NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> uptake was dependent both on time and external NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> concentration ([NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>]). During induction influx was positively correlated with root [NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>]. In the postinduction period, however, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> influx declined as root [NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>] increased. It is suggested that induction and negative feedback regulation are independent processes: Induction appears to depend upon some critical cytoplasmic [NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>]; removal of external NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> caused a reduction of <sup>13</sup>NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> influx even though mean root [NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>] remained high. It is proposed that cytoplasmic [NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>] is depleted rapidly under these conditions resulting in `deinduction' of the NO₃⁻ transport system. Beyond 50 micromoles per gram [NO₃⁻], ¹³NO₃⁻ influx was negatively correlated with root [NO₃⁻]. However, it is unclear whether root [NO₃⁻] per se or some product(s) of NO₃⁻ assimilation are responsible for the negative feedback effects.     

Influence of the level of nitrate nutrition on ion uptake and assimilation, organic Acid accumulation, and cation-anion balance in whole tomato plants

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. Ailsa Craig) were grown in water culture in nutrient solution in a series of 10 increasing levels of nitrate nutrition. Using whole plant data derived from analytical and yield data of individual plant parts, the fate of anion charge arising from increased NO₃ assimilation was followed in its distribution between organic anion accumulation in the plant and OH⁻ efflux into the nutrient solution as calculated by excess anion over cation uptake. With increasing NO₃ nutrition the bulk of the anion charge appeared as organic anion accumulation in the plants. OH⁻ efflux at a maximum accounted for only 20% of the anion charge shift. The major organic anion accumulated in response to nitrate assimilation was malate. The increase in organic anion accumulation was paralleled by an increase in cation concentration (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺). Total inorganic anion levels (NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, Cl⁻) were relatively constant. The effect of increasing NO₃ nutrition in stimulating organic anion accumulation was much more pronounced in the tops than in the roots.     

Membrane-bound sn-1,2-diacylglycerols explain the dissociation of hepatic insulin resistance from hepatic steatosis in MTTP knockout mice

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) deficiency results in a syndrome of hypolipidemia and accelerated NAFLD. Animal models of decreased hepatic MTTP activity have revealed an unexplained dissociation between hepatic steatosis and hepatic insulin resistance. Here, we performed comprehensive metabolic phenotyping of liver-specific MTTP knockout (L-Mttp^−/−) mice and age-weight matched wild-type control mice. Young (10–12-week-old) L-Mttp^−/− mice exhibited hepatic steatosis and increased DAG content; however, the increase in hepatic DAG content was partitioned to the lipid droplet and was not increased in the plasma membrane. Young L-Mttp^−/− mice also manifested normal hepatic insulin sensitivity, as assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, no PKCε activation, and normal hepatic insulin signaling from the insulin receptor through AKT Ser/Thr kinase. In contrast, aged (10-month-old) L-Mttp^−/− mice exhibited glucose intolerance and hepatic insulin resistance along with an increase in hepatic plasma membrane sn-1,2-DAG content and PKCε activation. Treatment with a functionally liver-targeted mitochondrial uncoupler protected the aged L-Mttp^−/− mice against the development of hepatic steatosis, increased plasma membrane sn-1,2-DAG content, PKCε activation, and hepatic insulin resistance. Furthermore, increased hepatic insulin sensitivity in the aged controlled-release mitochondrial protonophore-treated L-Mttp^−/− mice was not associated with any reductions in hepatic ceramide content. Taken together, these data demonstrate that differences in the intracellular compartmentation of sn-1,2-DAGs in the lipid droplet versus plasma membrane explains the dissociation of NAFLD/lipid-induced hepatic insulin resistance in young L-Mttp^−/− mice as well as the development of lipid-induced hepatic insulin resistance in aged L-Mttp^−/− mice.     

Phosphorus stress effects on assimilation of nitrate

An experiment was conducted to investigate alterations in uptake and assimilation of NO₃⁻ by phosphorus-stressed plants. Young tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum [L.], cv NC 2326) growing in solution culture were deprived of an external phosphorus (P) supply for 12 days. On selected days, plants were exposed to ¹⁵NO₃⁻ during the 12 hour light period to determine changes in NO₃⁻ assimilation as the P deficiency progressed. Decreased whole-plant growth was evident after 3 days of P deprivation and became more pronounced with time, but root growth was unaffected until after day 6. Uptake of ¹⁵NO₃⁻ per gram root dry weight and translocation of absorbed ¹⁵NO₃⁻ out of the root were noticeably restricted in −P plants by day 3, and effects on both increased in severity with time. Whole-plant reduction of ¹⁵NO₃⁻ and ¹⁵N incorporation into insoluble reduced-N in the shoot decreased after day 3. Although the P limitation was associated with a substantial accumulation of amino acids in the shoot, there was no indication of excessive accumulation of soluble reduced-¹⁵N in the shoot during the 12 hour ¹⁵NO₃⁻ exposure periods. The results indicate that alterations in NO₃⁻ transport processes in the root system are the primary initial responses limiting synthesis of shoot protein in P-stressed plants. Elevated amino acid levels evidently are associated with enhanced degradation of protein rather than inhibition of concurrent protein synthesis.     

Studies on the secretion of maize root cap slime: I. Some properties of the secreted polymer

The secreted slime from root cap cells of corn (Zea mays, cv. SX-17) was studied. Production of slime by excised root tips is stimulated by the addition of 40 mM sucrose or fucose and half-strength Hoagland's solution to the incubation medium. Secreted slime was recovered from aqueous solution by precipitation with ethanol. The polymer has a molecular weight greater than 2 × 10⁻⁶ daltons and a density of 1.63 g cm⁻³. Protein is not present in material purified by density gradient centrifugation with cesium chloride. Fucose (39%) and galactose (30%) are the principle neutral sugars found in the purified polymer. Galacturonic and glucuronic acids, arabinose, xylose, mannose, and glucose are also present.     

Dryland Soil Hydrological Processes and Their Impacts on the Nitrogen Balance in a Soil-Maize System of a Freeze-Thawing Agricultural Area

Understanding the fates of soil hydrological processes and nitrogen (N) is essential for optimizing the water and N in a dryland crop system with the goal of obtaining a maximum yield. Few investigations have addressed the dynamics of dryland N and its association with the soil hydrological process in a freeze-thawing agricultural area. With the daily monitoring of soil water content and acquisition rates at 15, 30, 60 and 90 cm depths, the soil hydrological process with the influence of rainfall was identified. The temporal-vertical soil water storage analysis indicated the local albic soil texture provided a stable soil water condition for maize growth with the rainfall as the only water source. Soil storage water averages at 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm were observed to be 490.2, 593.8, and 358 m³ ha⁻¹, respectively, during the growing season. The evapo-transpiration (ET), rainfall, and water loss analysis demonstrated that these factors increased in same temporal pattern and provided necessary water conditions for maize growth in a short period. The dry weight and N concentration of maize organs (root, leaf, stem, tassel, and grain) demonstrated the N accumulation increased to a peak in the maturity period and that grain had the most N. The maximum N accumulative rate reached about 500 mg m⁻²d⁻¹ in leaves and grain. Over the entire growing season, the soil nitrate N decreased by amounts ranging from 48.9 kg N ha⁻¹ to 65.3 kg N ha⁻¹ over the 90 cm profile and the loss of ammonia-N ranged from 9.79 to 12.69 kg N ha⁻¹. With soil water loss and N balance calculation, the N usage efficiency (NUE) over the 0–90 cm soil profile was 43%. The soil hydrological process due to special soil texture and the temporal features of rainfall determined the maize growth in the freeze-thawing agricultural area.