Cell-type action specificity of auxin on Arabidopsis root growth

The plant hormone auxin plays a critical role in root growth and development; however, the contributions or specific roles of cell-type auxin signals in root growth and development are not well understood. Here, we mapped tissue and cell types that are important for auxin-mediated root growth and development by manipulating the local response and synthesis of auxin. Repressing auxin signaling in the epidermis, cortex, endodermis, pericycle or stele strongly inhibited root growth, with the largest effect observed in the endodermis. Enhancing auxin signaling in the epidermis, cortex, endodermis, pericycle or stele also caused reduced root growth, albeit to a lesser extent. Moreover, we established that root growth was inhibited by enhancement of auxin synthesis in specific cell types of the epidermis, cortex and endodermis, whereas increased auxin synthesis in the pericycle and stele had only minor effects on root growth. Our study thus establishes an association between cellular identity and cell type-specific auxin signaling that guides root growth and development.     

Organic nitrogen content and nitrate and nitrite reductase activities in tritordeum and wheat grown under nitrate or ammonium

Tritordeum is a fertile amphiploid derived from durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. conv. durum) × a wild barley (Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schultz.). The organic nitrogen content of tritordeum grain (34 mg g^-1 DW) was significantly higher than that of its wheat parent (25 mg g^-1 DW). Leaf and root nitrogen content became higher in tritordeum than in wheat after four weeks of growth, independently of the nitrogen source (either NO₃ ^- or NH₄ ⁺). Under NO₃ ^- nutrition, tritordeum generally exhibited higher levels of nitrate reductase (NR) activity than wheat. Nitrite reductase (NiR) levels were however lower in tritordeum than in its wheat parent. In NH₄ ⁺-grown plants, both NR and NiR activities progressively decreased in the two species, becoming imperceptible after 3 to 5 weeks of growth. Results indicate that, in addition to a higher rate of NO₃ ^- reduction, other physiological factors must be responsible for the greater accumulation of organic nitrogen in tritordeum grain.     

不同氮素形态和配比对菘蓝根的生长及含氮成分含量和总量的影响

以来源于安徽亳州、甘肃张掖、安徽阜阳、山西运城和陕西商洛的5个种源菘蓝( Isatis indigotica Fort.)为实验材料,采用田间试验法对不施氮素(对照),仅施用NO3--N(T1)或NH4+-N(T2),混合施用氮素也n(NH4+-N)：n(NO3--N)=75：25(T3)、n(NH4+-N)：n(NO3--N)=50：50(T4)和n(NH4+-N)：n(NO3--N)=25：75(T5)页以及仅施用CO(NH2)2(T6)条件下各种源菘蓝的单株根鲜质量和干质量,根折干率,根中游离总氨基酸、可溶性蛋白质和总氮含量,以及单株根中游离总氨基酸、可溶性蛋白质和总氮总量的差异进行了比较分析。结果表明：在同一施氮条件下不同种源间菘蓝根的各项指标均有一定差异;而与各自的对照相比,不同施氮条件下同一种源菘蓝根的各项指标也有一定差异。总体来看,安徽亳州和山西运城种源菘蓝根的生长指标均在T6组中较高,甘肃张掖种源根的生长指标则在T2组中相对较高,安徽阜阳种源根的生长指标在T5组中最高,陕西商洛种源根的生长指标在T4组中较高。各施氮条件下安徽亳州种源菘蓝的单株根中游离总氨基酸、可溶性蛋白质和总氮总量均低于其对照,并在T6组中相对较高;甘肃张掖和陕西商洛种源根的上述3项指标分别在T2和T3组中最高,而安徽阜阳和山西运城种源根的上述3项指标则分别在T5和T1组中较高。研究结果显示：不同氮素形态和配比对菘蓝根生长和根中含氮成分积累的影响效应存在种源间的差异,并且对同一种源根生长和根中含氮成分积累有益的氮素形态和配比也不同。因此,为了获得高产优质的板蓝根药材,建议在菘蓝的栽培过程中针对不同种源采取适宜的施氮措施,并兼顾生长量和有效成分含量。     

Influences of different nitrate to ammonium ratios on chlorosis,cation concentrations and the binding forms of Mg and Ca in needles of Mg-deficient Norway spruce

Effects of Mg deficiency and variations of the NO₃ ^-/NH₄ ⁺-ratio on chlorophyll, mineral nutrient concentrations and the binding forms of Mg and Ca were investigated in current-year, one- and two-year-old needles of clonal Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Six-year-old spruce plants were grown for one year in sand culture with circulating nutrient solutions containing sufficient (0.2 mt M) or limiting (0.04 mt M) concentrations of Mg. The NO₃ ^-/NH₄ ⁺-ratio in the nutrient solutions administered to the experimental trees was adjusted to 0.76 in the Mg-sufficient treatment and to 1.86, 0.76 and 0.035 in Mg-limited treatments. Mg and chlorophyll concentrations, were strongly influenced by the applied nitrogen source in current-year needles and - to a less extent - also in one-year-old needles. NH₄ ⁺-dominated nutrition resulted in decreased height growth and significantly lower Mg and chloropyhll concentrations in current-year and one-year-old needles compared to NO₃ ^--dominated nutrition. Decreases in total Mg were linearly correlated to reductions of water-soluble Mg and water-unsoluble Mg not bound to chlorophyll. Mg bound to chlorophyll, however, was only reduced, when total Mg decreased below a physiological threshold value of 2% of the total nitrogen concentration in the respective needles. Total Ca concentrations in the needles, which were reduced by Mg deficiency especially when nutrition was NH₄ ⁺-dominated, were strongly correlated to the portion of Ca bound to oxalate. The amount of water-soluble Ca and pectate-bound Ca remained nearly constant, independent from changes of total Ca concentrations. Negative effects of increasing NH₄ ⁺ supply on concentrations of Mg and other cations in the needles can be attributed to an inhibition of cation uptake induced by ion antagonism and/or reduced root growth.     

Feeding by adultCyrtobagous salviniae onSalvinia molesta under different regimes of temperature and nitrogen content and the effects on plant growth

Feeding by adultCyrtobagous salviniae was not influenced by the concentration of nitrogen in the buds ofSalvinia molesta. The time spent feeding on a bud was dependent on temperature and the rate of bud development because adults abandoned a bud when it started to open. When 2 pairs of adults were placed on a partially developed bud at 35°C, bud development was stopped. Plants attacked by weevils for 3 days were heavier than insect-free plants but after another 10 days without further attack, growth of unattached plants was significantly greater.     

氮素营养对小麦根冠协调生长的调控

在植物生长箱通过溶液培养方式,对不同氮素条件下不同抗旱性的小麦品种西农1043和小偃6号的幼苗根苗生长特性进行了研究,结果表明在不同氮素浓度下,氮肥用量的提高对地上部干重和叶片气体交换参数表现为增效效应,当用量增至一定程度时,地上部干重和叶片气体交换参数均呈下降趋势,只是各自的适宜用量存在差异。培养介质氮素浓度低时,有利于小麦根系干重累积,培养介质氮素浓度高时,不利于根系干重累积。西农1043和小偃6号根长分布基本相似,水分利用效率随着根冠比的增大而降低。小麦根冠比的增加并不利于叶片水分利用效率的提高,而叶片光合作用最优的根冠比为0．5左右。     

不同基因型水生植物对铵态氮和硝态氮吸收动力学特性研究

针对不同营养状况的富营养化水体修复而选择吸收养分效率较强的水生植物,采用改进常规耗竭法比较研究了6种不同基因型水生植物凤眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes Solms)、黄花水龙(Jussiaea stipulacea Ohwi)、再力花(Thalia dealbata Fraser)、美人蕉(Canna glauca L.)、水芹[Oenanthe javanica(Bl).DC]和豆瓣菜(Nasturtium officinaleR.Br.)对铵态氮和硝态氮吸收动力学特性。结果表明,不同基因型水生植物吸收铵态氮和硝态氮的动力学特性可用Michaelis-Menten方程来描述。在低浓度培养下,不同基因型水生植物对NH4+-N和NO3--N吸收的动力学参数Imax和Km差异较大,其吸收NH4+-N和NO3--N的Imax最大是水芹,其次是豆瓣菜;Km值最小的是水芹,其次是豆瓣菜;且水芹对NH4+-N和NO3--N不仅具有较强的亲和力,还具有较高的离子吸收速率。结果还表明,当介质中氮浓度较低时,水芹有优先吸收硝态氮的趋势,而豆瓣菜和再力花有优先吸收铵态氮的趋势。     

Effects of temperature on the development and growth of winter wheat roots

Winter wheat was sown on 2 dates with 3 levels of nitrogen fiertiliser (0, 50 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹) in one year and on 2 sites in a followign season. Shoot and root development and growth were measured between emergence and anthesis in the first season and emergence and 7 mainstem leaves in the second. Differences in temperature and light regime led to significant differences in shoot and root development and growth between sowing dates. A thermal time-scale, based on soil surface or air temperatures, with a base of 0°C, adequately described the production of mainstem leaves and nodal root axes over all treatments. Autumn applied nitrogen had little effect on development. Shoot growth and green area index increased exponentially with thermal time prior to spring nitrogen application and the completion of canopy development. Early-sown crops had larger root systems than late-sown crops prior to winter and this divergence was retained until anthesis. The relationship between root growth and thermal time was little better than with days after sowing and was not improved by either varying the site of temperature measurement or the base temperature used for calculation. Differences in soil texture and drainage, between sites, led to significant changes in root length distribution. Although spring applied nitrogen generally increased root length, its effects were inconsistent. There was a curvilinear relation between root length and the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted; this relation was unaffected by sowing date or nitrogen treatment. The amount of root produced per unit PAR decreased as the season progressed, reflecting the decrease in the proportion of total dry matter partitioned to the root system.     

Replacement of nitrate by ammonium as the nitrogen source increases the salt sensitivity of pea plants. I. Ion concentrations in roots and leaves

Pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv ‘Kleine Rheinlän-derin’) were grown hydroponically in solutions containing either nitrate (3 or 14 mol m⁻³) or ammonium (3 mol m⁻³) as the nitrogen source. Ammonium nutrition as such had no negative effect on plant biomass production, but drastically increased the sensitivity to moderate salinity (50 mol m⁻³ NaCl). The reasons for this effect are investigated here and in a subsequent paper. The appearance of visible symptoms of salt damage (wilting of marginal leaf areas followed by progressive necrosis) was paralleled by the development of several characteristic modifications in the solute and metabolite contents. Major changes were: (i) high salt (NaCl) accumulation in leaves; (ii) accumulation of ammonium (up to 20 mol m⁻³) and amino acids (up to 110 mol m⁻³) in leaves, but at decreased ammonium uptake rates; and (iii) decreased protein content. In a comparison paper we report on the subcellular distribution of salts, ammonium and metabolites under the above conditions.     

Fast changes in growth rate and cytokinin content of the shoot following rapid cooling of roots of wheat seedling

Changes in the concentration of cytokinins were studied following root cooling. Simultaneously, the growth rate of the second leaf was monitored with a highly sensitive growth sensor attached to its tip. Cytokinins were separated by thin layer chromatography and immunoassayed using antibodies to zeatin riboside. The extension rate of the second leaf decreased within 15 minutes of cooling the nutrient medium from 24 °C to 4 °C. The concentration of cytokinins in shoots decreased with similar rapidity. In contrast cytokinins in roots increased slightly during the initial period of cooling before declining. The sharp decrease in cytokinin concentrations in shoots 15 minutes after cooling of roots may contribute to the abrupt inhibition of shoot growth.     

Growth rate, IAA and cytokinin content of wheat seedling after root pruning

Root pruning of wheat seedlings resulted in 2–10 foldincrease in the concentration of IAA in roots ascompared to the control level, which might beresponsible for the observed initiation of lateralroot growth. Cytokinin concentration in xylem sap wasdecreased initially by 60% by pruning in accordancewith the reduction in the hormone-producing organ.Nevertheless cytokinin content in the shoots remainedhigh, which might be due to a decrease in cytokinindecay registered in vitro. A subsequent increasein the export of cytokinins from roots up to thecontrol level demonstrated an elevated ability of thepruned organ to synthesise the hormone. The highcytokinin content in the shoots correlated with theability of the plants to maintain their transpirationand growth at the level of intact plants. Both IAA andcytokinins seem to be important in the restoration ofthe shoot/root balance disturbed by root pruning.     

短期铵态氮与硝态氮配施对刨花楠幼苗生长及叶片性状的影响

林木对不同形态氮素具有选择性吸收特征,铵态氮和硝态氮是植物吸收的主要氮素形态.为了明确刨花楠对铵态氮和硝态氮的吸收差异,采用盆栽试验方法,以铵态氮和硝态氮为氮源,以1年生刨花楠实生苗为研究对象,以当地山地红壤为基质,设置了7种不同的铵硝比配施添加试验,研究氮素形态和配比对刨花楠幼苗生长和叶片性状的影响.结果 表明:不同...     

Varying the ratio of 15N-labelled ammonium and nitrate-N supplied to creeping bent: effects on nitrogen absorption and assimilation, and plant growth

The relative rates of ammonium and nitrate-N uptake and assimilation by creeping bent ( Agrostis stolonifera ), were investigated for plants grown in soil and supplied with three different ratios of ammonium and nitrate-N. Following two preliminary defoliations, plants were supplied with the equivalent of 150 kg N ha⁻¹, given as ¹⁵N-(differentially) labelled NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻-N in three different ratios (20:80, 50:50 and 80:20), followed by sequential destructive harvests of shoots and roots at four points during a 35-d regrowth period. Maximum use of labelled nitrogen and 'exhaustion' of soil mineral nitrogen reserves occurred much earlier when plants were supplied with half or more of their nitrogen as ammonium, than occurred when they were supplied predominately with nitrate-N. The lack of consistency in the patterns of ammonium and nitrate-N absorption, however, implied that the plants had no specific preference for either nitrogen form. Supplying plants with different combinations of ammonium and nitrate produced distinctive differences in plant morphology. In the high nitrate treatment, plants preferentially partitioned resources into shoot and stolon formation, whereas in the high ammonium treatment, resources were preferentially partitioned into root production. These changes in plant morphology might be adaptations to aid species survival in environments associated with a predominance of either nitrogen form.     

不同氮素形态培养下荞麦叶片中草酸积累的变化

用1/5浓度Hoagland(pH6.0)营养液培养荞麦幼苗3d后,取其中一部分继续用此营养液(硝态氮);另一部分用硫酸氨和氯化钙取代硝态氮(氨态氮)的营养液,均培养至荞麦第一片真叶完全展开。结果表明,以氨态氮为唯一氮源培养荞麦时,植株叶片中草酸含量显著下降。进一步研究表明,氨态氮培养下荞麦根中及根分泌草酸的速率也显著下降,结果排除了叶片中草酸含量的下降是由于叶片中草酸向其根系转运或是因为根分泌草酸速率的差异造成的,而可能与其草酸代谢改变有关。氨态氮培养下叶片中与草酸代谢相关的有机酸含量以及相关酶活性也显著下降,这可能意味着荞麦叶片草酸形成积累可能与相关有机酸代谢有关。     

耕作播种方式对稻茬小麦根系发育、土壤水分和硝态氮含量的影响

2016—2018年,以深旋耕播种模式为对照,研究了浅旋耕播种和免耕带旋播种模式对稻茬小麦根系发育、土壤水分和硝态氮含量的影响。结果表明: 孕穗期以前免耕带旋播种和浅旋耕播种处理耕层土壤含水量高于深旋耕播种处理,而硝态氮含量低于深旋耕播种处理。拔节和开花期根重密度和根表面积密度处理间差异不显著。2016—2017年,3种耕播方式的产量和地上部分氮吸收量无显著差异;2017—2018年,免耕带旋播种和浅旋耕播种处理的产量较深旋耕播种分别增加10.9%和10.5%,地上部分氮吸收量分别增加17.5%和12.0%。与深旋耕播种和浅旋耕播种处理相比,免耕带旋播种处理播种效率高、断垄率低。综上,免耕带旋播种处理可提高稻茬小麦的播种质量,增强土壤保墒能力,降低氮淋溶风险,促进产量和环境效益的协同提升。     

Synergistic action of auxin and cytokinin mediates aluminum‐induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis

Auxin acts synergistically with cytokinin to control the shoot stem‐cell niche, while both hormones act antagonistically to maintain the root meristem. In aluminum (Al) stress‐induced root growth inhibition, auxin plays an important role. However, the role of cytokinin in this process is not well understood. In this study, we show that cytokinin enhances root growth inhibition under stress by mediating Al‐induced auxin signaling. Al stress triggers a local cytokinin response in the root‐apex transition zone (TZ) that depends on IPTs, which encode adenosine phosphate isopentenyltransferases and regulate cytokinin biosynthesis. IPTs are up‐regulated specifically in the root‐apex TZ in response to Al stress and promote local cytokinin biosynthesis and inhibition of root growth. The process of root growth inhibition is also controlled by ethylene signaling which acts upstream of auxin. In summary, different from the situation in the root meristem, auxin acts with cytokinin in a synergistic way to mediate aluminum‐induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis.     

Abscisic acid accumulation in the roots of nutrient-limited plants: its impact on the differential growth of roots and shoots

We describe the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in the control of differential growth of roots and shoots of nutrient limited durum wheat plants. A ten-fold dilution of the optimal concentration of nutrient solution inhibited shoot growth, while root growth remained unchanged, resulting in a decreased shoot/root ratio. Addition of fluridone (inhibitor of ABA synthesis) prevented growth allocation in favour of the roots. This suggests the involvement of ABA in the redirecting of growth in favour of roots under limited nutrient supply. The ABA content was greater in shoots and growing apical root parts of starved plants than in nutrient sufficient plants. Accumulation of ABA in shoots of nutrient deficient plants was linked to a decrease in leaf turgor. Increased flow of ABA in the phloem apparently contributed to the accumulation of ABA in the apical part of the roots. Thus, partitioning of growth between roots and shoots of wheat plants limited in mineral nutrients appears to be modulated by accumulation of ABA in roots. This ABA may originate in the shoots, where its synthesis is stimulated by the loss of leaf turgor.     

Some effects of nitrate and light intensity on soybean root growth and development

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of light intensity and nitrate nutrition on soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) root growth and development. Relative growth rates, total, root and nodule dry weights, and the rates of increase in the number of roots indicated that nitrogen fixation limited growth relative to that achieved with nitrate and that the response to nitrate increases with light intensity and varies with plant age. Nitrate increased with rate of taproot extension but light intensity had no effect.     

Effect of heterogeneous distribution of nutrients on root growth, ABA content and drought resistance of wheat plants

Heterogeneous distribution of nutrients influenced morphology of wheat roots; they were shorter and had more laterals at the site of high nutrient content. The roots outside the nutrient-rich patch were longer and penetrated deeper in the soil than those of the plants supplied with the same quantity of nutrients but having them homogeneously distributed. The ABA content of roots sampled from the site of high nutrient content was greater than in those elsewhere. It is suggested that this might be important for inhibition of their extension growth and stimulation of laterals in the nutrient rich patch. Heterogeneously distributed nutrients beneficially influenced accumulation of ¹⁵N and assimilation of CO₂ by the plants, enabling an increased supply of nutrients to the parts of the root system beyond the nutrient rich patch and sustained their rapid extension. Enhanced penetration of roots into the deeper soil layers could contribute to the observed increase in drought resistance of plants grown with localised placement of fertilisers under field conditions.     

Root growth as a function of ammonium and nitrate in the root zone

We examined the effect of soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? content upon the root systems of field-grown tomatoes, and the influence of constant, low concentrations of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^? upon root growth in solution culture. In two field experiments, few roots were present in soil zones with low extractable NH₄⁺ or NO₃^?; they increased to a maximum in zones having 2μg-N NO₃^? g^?1 soil and 6 μg-N NO₃⁼ g^?1 soil, but decreased in zones having higher NH₄⁺ or NO₃^? levels. Root branching was relatively insensitive to available mineral nitrogen. Plants maintained in solution culture at constant levels of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^?, had similar shoot biomass, but all root parameters – biomass, length, branching and area – were greater under NH4 nutrition than under NO₃^?. These results suggest that the size of root system depends on a functional equilibrium between roots and shoots (Brouwer 1967) and on the balance between soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?.