不同抗旱性花生品种的根系形态发育及其对干旱胁迫的响应

为明确不同抗旱性花生品种的根系形态发育特征,探讨其根系形态发育特征对不同土壤水分状况的响应机制,在防雨棚旱池内进行土柱栽培试验,研究抗旱型品种“花育22号”、“唐科8号”和干旱敏感型品种“花育23号”3个不同抗旱性花生品种根系形态发育特征及其对干旱胁迫的响应.结果表明:抗旱型品种根系较发达,具有较大的根系生物量、总根长、总根系表面积.干旱胁迫使抗旱型品种根系总表面积和体积增加,而干旱敏感型品种则相反.干旱胁迫显著增加抗旱型品种“花育22号”20 cm以下土层内根长密度分布比例及根系表面积和体积,但“唐科8号”相应根系性状仅在20-40 cm土层内增加;干旱胁迫使干旱敏感型品种“花育23号”40 cm以下土层内各根系性状升高,但未达显著水平且其深层土壤内各根系性状增加幅度小于“花育22号”.花生根系总长、总表面积及0-20 cm土层内根系性状与产量间呈显著或极显著正相关.土壤水分亏缺条件下,花生主要通过增加深层土壤内根长、根系表面积和体积等形态特性,优化空间分布构型,以调节植株对水分的利用.     

不同耕作措施对冬小麦根系时空分布和产量的影响

在田间定位试验的基础上,研究了内陆河绿洲灌区不同耕作措施对冬小麦根系时空分布和产量的影响.结果表明:免耕秸杆覆盖(NTS)和免耕立茬(NTSS)措施下冬小麦根系总干重和总根长都大于传统耕作(T),且差异显著;开花期各处理总根干重和总根长都达到最大,之后开始下降;NTS和NTSS处理0～10cm土层的根长密度和根干重密度显著高于T处理,表现出根系表层分布的特征;拔节期, NTS、NTSS和NT处理10～30cm的根长密度和干重密度都小于T,而拔节后NTS 和NTSS各土层根长密度和根干重密度增长幅度大于T.产量研究结果表明,NTS和NTSS能显著提高冬小麦产量,与T 相比,产量分别提高16.84%～30.59%和12.76%～24.32%.     

干旱胁迫对花生根系生长发育和生理特性的影响

以花育17号和唐科8号两个花生品种为试验材料,在防雨棚栽培池内进行土柱栽培试验,研究了中度干旱胁迫和正常供水处理下花生生育后期根系形态发育特征和生理特性.结果表明: 唐科8号具有较发达的根系及较高的产量和抗旱系数,花育17号根系对干旱胁迫的适应性小于唐科8号.两品种根长密度、根系生物量均主要分布于0～40 cm土层中,但同一土层内两品种根系性状存在差异.与正常供水处理相比,干旱胁迫处理使花育17号各生育期总根长、根系总表面积和总体积均降低,而唐科8号除花针期显著降低外,其余生育期均明显升高;干旱胁迫增加了两品种20～40 cm土层内根系生物量、根系表面积和体积,而降低了40 cm以下土层内各根系性状;干旱胁迫处理使两品种饱果期40 cm以下土层内根系活力降低,且花育17号降低幅度高于唐科8号.干旱胁迫下两品种生育后期根系发育和生理特性的差异表明其根系在干旱胁迫下对水分吸收和利用存在差异.     

干旱胁迫下冬小麦光合产物分配格局及其与产量的关系

研究于2005-2006年在中国科学院封丘农田生态试验站防雨棚下进行,在充足供水(W1)、轻度干旱(W2)和严重干旱(W3)条件下,研究冬小麦周麦18(Zhoumai18)和济麦20(Jimai20)干物质积累和分配、可溶性碳水化合物(WSC)含量及其与产量形成的关系。结果显示,随着干旱胁迫程度加重,两个品种冬小麦干物质积累下降,光合产物分配格局改变。干旱胁迫导致花前叶片分配指数下降、茎和叶鞘分配指数上升,花后穗分配指数上升。干旱胁迫下冬小麦拔节期茎WSC减少,但孕穗期、开花期各器官WSC均增加。相关分析表明,冬小麦千粒重与孕穗期、开花期茎和根WSC,与开花期叶片干重显著正相关(P0.05);穗粒数与拔节期茎WSC极显著正相关(P0.01),与开花期茎和叶片干重显著正相关(P0.05)。研究认为拔节期是冬小麦需水关键期,干旱胁迫能促进光合产物向当时生长中心分配,不同生育期茎WSC是冬小麦抗旱育种的重要生理生态指标之一。     

密度和修剪对冬小麦根系时空分布和产量的影响

田间试验研究了种植密度和不同时期根修剪对黄土旱塬冬小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)根系时空分布、土壤水分利用以及产量的影响。供试材料为该地区广泛种植的冬小麦品种长武135。试验设定4个密度处理:SR1、SR2、SR3和SR4,分别为180、225、280和340株/m2,其中SR2为常规密度;以及4个根修剪处理:CK(不剪根处理)、W(越冬期根修剪)、S(返青期根修剪)和B(越冬期根修剪+返青期根修剪)。研究结果表明,冬小麦返青期、孕穗期和花期根系总干重随种植密度的增加而增加。根修剪处理显著降低了各生育期冬小麦根系总干重,不同处理间排序为CKWSB。种植密度和根修剪对冬小麦根系总长度的影响与根系总干重类似,各处理间根系总干重和根系总长度的差异主要来自于0—20 cm表土层。冬小麦表土层(0—20 cm)中的根干重密度(DRWD)和根长密度(RLD)都随种植密度的提高而增加。根修剪降低了返青期、孕穗期和花期冬小麦DRWD和RLD在0—20 cm表土层中的分布,但增加了花期60—100 cm深土层中的DRWD和RLD。整个生育期土壤水分消耗随种植密度增加而增加,而根修剪显著减少土壤水分的消耗。冬小麦的产量和水分利用效率随着种植密度增加而显著提高。根修剪处理显著增加了冬小麦的产量,且W处理的产量最高,同时根修剪也显著提高了冬小麦的水分利用效率。由此可见,越冬期根修剪(W)可以最大程度提高冬小麦产量。考虑到经济效益,建议旱地雨养农业区在较高的密度下进行越冬期根修剪处理,从而达到生产上高产高效的目的。     

盐旱复合胁迫对小麦幼苗生长和水分吸收的影响

为明确盐害、干旱及盐旱复合胁迫对小麦幼苗生长和水分吸收的影响,从而为盐害和干旱胁迫下栽培调控提供理论依据。以2个抗旱性不同的小麦品种(扬麦16和耐旱型洛旱7号)为材料,采用水培试验,以NaCl和PEG模拟盐旱复合胁迫,研究了盐旱复合胁迫下小麦幼苗生长、根系形态、光合特性及水分吸收特性的变化。结果表明,盐、旱及复合胁迫下小麦幼苗的生物量、叶面积、总根长与根系表面积、叶绿素荧光和净光合速率均显著下降,但是复合胁迫处理的降幅却显著低于单一胁迫。盐旱复合胁迫下根系水导速率和根系伤流液强度显著大于单一胁迫,从而提高了小麦幼苗叶片水势和相对含水量。盐胁迫下小麦幼苗Na~+/K~+显著大于复合胁迫,但复合胁迫下ABA含量却显著小于单一的盐害和干旱胁迫。因此,盐旱复合胁迫可以通过增强根系水分吸收及降低根叶中ABA含量以维持较高光合能力,这是盐旱复合胁迫提高小麦适应性的重要原因。洛旱7号和扬麦16对盐及盐旱复合胁迫的响应基本一致,但在干旱胁迫下洛旱7号表现出明显的耐性。     

不同生育时期干旱对冬小麦氮素吸收与利用的影响

以抗旱性强的‘石家庄8号’和抗旱性弱的‘偃麦20’冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)为材料, 在田间遮雨棚条件下, 研究返青-拔节期、拔节-开花期和灌浆后期3个生育期不同干旱程度对冬小麦产量、氮素吸收、分配和利用的影响。结果表明, 在干旱条件下, 抗旱性强的‘石家庄8号’产量高于抗旱性弱的‘偃麦20’, 并且其3个生育时期轻度干旱均可提高产量。拔节-开花期干旱对两个冬小麦品种氮素的吸收和运转影响均最大, 其次为返青-拔节期, 而灌浆后期影响较小。不同生育期中度和重度干旱均降低了花前贮藏氮素向籽粒中的转移, 并且氮肥利用效率和生产率也较低, 而在返青-拔节和灌浆后期轻度干旱有利于营养器官的氮素向籽粒中转移, 提高了氮肥利用效率和生产率。在干旱条件下, 抗旱性强的‘石家庄8号’籽粒氮素积累对花前贮藏氮素再运转的依赖程度高, 而‘偃麦20’对花后氮素的积累和转移依赖较高。综合产量和氮素的转移特点, 在生产实践中, 返青-拔节期和灌浆后期要注意对小麦进行适度的干旱处理, 在拔节-开花期要保证冬小麦的充分灌溉, 从而有利于氮素的积累和分配。     

不同耕作方式对陇中旱农区春小麦和豌豆根系空间分布及产量的影响

依托陇中旱农区长期的保护性耕作定位试验,对不同耕作方式下春小麦和豌豆根系空间分布特征及作物产量进行研究,以探索耕作措施影响作物产量的机制.结果表明: 随着生育期的推进,春小麦和豌豆的总根长、根表面积呈先增后减的趋势,开花期达到最大;春小麦根系苗期以0～10 cm最多,花期、成熟期10～30 cm最多;而豌豆根系苗期和成熟期均以0～10 cm最多,花期10～30 cm最多.免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜增加了根长和根表面积,春小麦和豌豆各生育时期的根长较传统耕作增加了35.9%～92.6%,根表面积增加了43.2%～162.4%.免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜优化了春小麦和豌豆根系分布,与传统耕作相比,增加了春小麦和豌豆苗期0～10 cm土层根长和根表面积分布比例,花期和成熟期深层次根系分布也显著增加,免耕秸秆覆盖在开花期30～80 cm土层根长和根表面积的分布比例分别比传统耕作提高了3.3%和9.7%.春小麦各生育期的总根长、根表面积与产量呈显著正相关,豌豆各生育期的总根长与豌豆产量呈极显著正相关.免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜较传统耕作春小麦和豌豆产量增加23.4%～38.7%,水分利用效率提高了13.7%～28.5%.在陇中旱农区,免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜可以增加作物根长和根表面积,优化了根系在土壤中的空间分布,增强作物根层吸收能力,从而提高作物产量和水分高效利用.     

根系深度对旱后复水玉米补偿性生长的影响

基于根系诱导的细胞分裂素对玉米生长的影响,本研究探讨了根系深度与旱后复水玉米(Zea mays)补偿性生长的关系。以苗期玉米为试验材料,从4月20日—6月3日,设置充分供水、充分供水且断根、旱后复水、旱后复水且断根4个处理。在玉米干旱胁迫结束时,即出苗后第28天对其进行断根处理,用薄背刀在盆纵向的中间位置水平横切,使根系完全断为两半以得到浅根系。结果表明:与充分供水相比,干旱抑制玉米生长,使其地上生物量、根系生物量与总生物量大幅下降;未断根条件下,复水后,根系能感知水分刺激产生细胞分裂素,且细胞分裂素会经由伤流液转运至玉米叶片;叶片中细胞分裂素含量水平的增加能促进其净光合速率的提高,并可使玉米地上生物量、根系生物量与总生物量增加,进而促进玉米复水后的较快生长;而断根条件下,深根被去除,复水后,浅根虽能感受水分刺激,但并不能产生大量细胞分裂素,进而导致叶片中细胞分裂素含量不能明显升高,净光合速率也不能明显增加,各部分生物量增加亦不明显,玉米不能够快速生长。总之,根系诱导的叶片细胞分裂素是旱后复水玉米补偿性生长的核心因素;而断根使得深根大量丧失,复水后玉米浅根系不易产生细胞分裂素,从而不能引起补偿性生长,即深根对玉米的旱后复水玉米补偿性生长起着关键性作用。     

干旱胁迫对不同苦荞品种苗期生长和根系生理特征的影响

采用盆栽人工控水试验,研究了不同水分处理(正常供水、中度干旱和重度干旱)对耐旱型(‘迪庆苦荞’、‘西农9909’)和不耐旱型(‘西荞1号’和‘黑丰1号’)苦荞品种苗期生理、形态指标的影响,并通过隶属函数法与主成分分析对品种抗旱性进行综合评价,以揭示苦荞苗期的抗旱生理机制。结果表明:(1)与正常供水相比,除‘迪庆苦荞’和‘西农9909’在重度干旱胁迫下主根长呈升高趋势外,其余苦荞品种在2个干旱条件下的株高、茎粗、叶面积、地上部干重、地下部干重、根系体积、根系表面积均呈下降趋势,且耐旱品种降幅小于不耐旱品种;重度干旱胁迫使得‘迪庆苦荞’的根冠比升高,而其余品种根冠比在干旱胁迫下均无显著变化。(2)干旱胁迫使苦荞叶片的叶绿素含量、相对含水量、最大荧光产量(Fm)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量显著降低,而根系超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性糖及游离脯氨酸含量呈升高趋势;不同抗旱性品种间的升降幅度存在差异。(3)各苦荞品种耐旱能力综合评价值(D)表现为‘迪庆苦荞’‘西农9909’‘黑丰1号’‘西荞1号’;幼苗株高、地下部干重及根系SOD活性和蛋白质含量与D值呈显著正相关关系,而根系脯氨酸含量和可溶性糖含量与D值呈极显著正相关关系。研究发现,在中度与重度干旱逆境下,苦荞品种‘迪庆苦荞’和‘西农9909’综合表现较好,具有更强的耐旱能力,而品种‘西荞1号’和‘黑丰1号’综合表现较差,其抗旱性较弱;苗期株高、地下部干重以及根系SOD活性、蛋白质含量、脯氨酸含量和可溶性糖含量可作为苦荞抗旱性快速鉴定的指标。     

Light-regulated protein and mRNA synthesis in root caps of maize

Illumination of maize roots initiates changes in mRNA levels and in the activities of proteins within the root cap. Using Northern analysis we showed a 5–6-fold increase in the levels of three specific mRNAs and a 14-fold increase in plastid mRNA. This increase is rapid, occurring within 30 minutes of illumination. With prolonged periods of darkness following illumination, messages return to levels observed in dark, control caps. For two species of mRNA illumination results in a reduction in message levels. Light-stimulated increases in the levels of specific mRNAs are proportionally greater than are increases in the activities of corresponding proteins. We suggest that the light-stimulated increase in protein activity in root caps may be preceded by and occur as a consequence of enhanced levels of mRNA. Our work suggests that photomorphogenesis in roots could involve changes in the levels of a wide variety of mRNAs within the root cap.     

红砂幼苗根系形态特征和水分利用效率对土壤水分变化的响应

为探讨干旱与半干旱区受损红砂种群幼苗适宜生长的土壤水分条件,采用盆栽方法,研究了红砂幼苗在充分灌溉(FI)、适度灌溉(MI)、干旱处理(DT)3个水分处理下根系形态和水分利用效率的变化特征。结果表明:(1)红砂幼苗根系形态因水分条件和根序的不同而各异;随灌溉量的减少红砂幼苗根系直径和根体积均表现为FIMIDT,但干旱处理促进了根系的伸长生长和比表面积和比根长增加,根系形态的可塑性是红砂幼苗获取水分适应干旱环境的重要策略之一。(2)随根序的升高,各处理水平下红砂幼苗根长、比根长均显著减少,而其根直径和体积却显著增加,表明红砂幼苗根系内部具有高度的形态异质性。(3)与FI处理相比,MI和DT处理下红砂幼苗根系总生物量分别增加了50.00%、19.23%,但MI和DT处理却显著降低了红砂幼苗地上生物量,特别是叶片生物量下降幅度最大,分别降低了62.15%、83.28%,导致根冠比随灌溉量的减少而逐渐增加。(4)干旱处理显著提高了红砂幼苗的水分利用效率。研究认为,在灌溉量减少的情况下,红砂幼苗可通过根长、根系表面积和体积、直径等形态变化来优化其空间分布构型,以调节植株对水分的利用,提高水分利用效率。     

Rate of differentiation and emergence of nodal maize roots

The timing of root production is one of the parameters required for modelling the root system architecture. The objectives of this study are (1) to describe the rate of appearance of adventitious root primordia of maize and their rate of emergence out of the stem; (2) to test equations for the prediction of the rank of the phytomer on which root emergence occurs, in a wide range of field situations.Maize, cultivar Dea, was grown in controlled conditions and in the field in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991. Plants were regularly sampled and the following data were recorded: foliar stage, number of root primordia and number of emerged roots per phytomer. Root primordia were counted in transverse thin sections in the stem.At a single plant level, root primordia differentiation occurred sequentially on the successive phytomers, with no overlapping between two phytomers. The same was true for root emergence. Roots belonging to the same phytomer emerged at approximately the same time.At a plant population level, there was a linear relationship between the rank of the phytomer on which root primordia were differentiated and cumulated degree-days after sowing. A linear relationship was also observed between the rank of the phytomer on which roots were emerging and cumulated degree-days or foliar stage. In the range of field situations tested (several years, sowing dates and planting densities), both equations gave an accurate prediction of the timing of root emergence during the plant cycle.     

光强对木麻黄幼苗根系形态、解剖结构及其碳氮含量的影响

对光环境的灵敏响应使得森林中常见的光照异质性成为影响植物自我更新的关键因素,然而植物地下根系结构对光照的响应较为难测而缺乏深入研究。为探究不同光强下木麻黄根系响应策略,以一年生木麻黄(Casuarina equisetifolia)幼苗为试验材料,模拟森林幼苗生长的林外(CK)、林缘(L1)、林窗(L2)和林下光环境(L3)设置4种光照强度,测定及分析木麻黄幼苗的生长、根系形态、细根解剖结构及碳氮含量等指标。结果表明:(1) L1下,幼苗采取维持高度,降低横向生长的方式,保证正常累积生物量,随光照强度的下降,株高、地径、叶片生物量及地上部分生物量逐渐下降。(2)在根系表型上,幼苗随光限制的加重呈现抑制纵伸但促进根系的横向生长,其中总根长、根平均直径及根体积达到显著差异。在径级结构上,细根发育程度随光照减弱而下降;而适当的遮光(L1)促进粗根生长但L3时除根尖数较CK上升外,根长度、根表面积、根体积均显著下降。(3)1-3级细根解剖变化较大,相较CK,1级细根皮层细胞面积显著增加,但根半径、维管柱结构、表皮厚度等指标则显著下降,2级细根根半径、皮层细胞面积、表皮厚度明显减少,但维管柱结构仅在L2、L3时显著下降;3级细根根半径、皮层细胞面积和维管柱面积均较CK显著增大,L1时维管柱结构下降,但随光照减弱加重,维管柱面积和中柱占比均明显增加。(4)在碳氮含量上,CK与L1无显著差异,TC在L2时显著下降,TN则在L2时显著上升,TC、TN均在L3达到最大,而C∶N随光强降低逐渐下降。综上所述,光限制时,木麻黄生物量及碳分配稳定根茎部分生长,采取“弱化吸收,强化储存”收缩型生长策略;当限制加重时,光合和呼吸作用失衡导致植物对细根投入养分的浪费,并最终造成林木死亡。研究结果为林下植被的更新提供理论参考。     

Root System Asymmetry of Mediterranean Pines

Three groups of Mediterranean pines were examined to describe the development of root symmetry on sites characterized by shallow soils and low water availability. Sampling included: (1) 3-year-old planted seedlings of Pinus halepensis Mill. taken from Sithonia Halkidiki, northern Greece, (2) 5-year-old natural regenerated seedlings of Pinus brutia Ten. taken from Kedrinos Lofos, Thessaloniki and (3) 65-year-old trees of Pinus brutia taken from Kedrinos Lofos, Thessaloniki. Root system symmetry was examined by measuring the number, the diameter, the cross-sectional area (CSA), the root area index (RAI) and the length of the lateral roots of each root system, and by analyzing their distribution around the stem. Above-ground plant symmetry was also estimated. The findings of the study indicated that there was an asymmetric root system in all three groups that is characterized by the concentration of the main laterals along the contour lines instead of uphill or downhill; however, the asymmetry was much higher in the young plants. This asymmetry was not correlated with the above-ground plant growth form, which was found to be symmetric. The asymmetric development of root can be attributed to the shallow soil and the high mechanical resistance of the underground bedrock that stopped the taproot growth, restricted the root penetration in the deeper layers and obliged the roots to elongate towards the surface soil layers, where there is more available water.     

孑遗蕨类中华水韭根系发育的研究

以发育良好的中华水韭植株为材料,用常规半薄切片法,详细观察了根的发育及其根系的特征,并讨论了水韭根的内外两种起源途径、不同粗细根的结构功能、分支及横隔的生物学意义,为探讨古老维管植物的系统演化及濒危原因提供形态学依据。结果显示:(1)中华水韭成熟植株没有主根,有近百条浅棕色管状根,既有内起源根,也有外起源根,且每条根都有多回二歧分支。(2)二歧分支的发生一般频率密集且为不均等分裂,根越细分支越早,而且分支频率越密集;二歧分支处都有由2~3层细胞组成的永久性横隔,即使在老根内这种横隔也始终存在。(3)子根尖的部分皮层细胞能够直接转化成表皮,子根尖粗细不等。研究认为,中华水韭有茎起源根和根托起源根,皮层细胞具有特殊的分化能力,横隔是古生态的高能环境所造成的适应性结构,其根系具有旺盛的再生能力及高度的复杂性。     

Nutrient uptake relationship to root characteristics of rice

Data on root parameters and distribution are important for an improved understanding of the factors influencing nutrient uptake by a crop. Therefore, a study was conducted on a Crowley silt loam at the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, Arkansas to measure root growth and N, P and K uptake by three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars at active tillering (36 days after emergence (DAE)), maximum tillering (41 DAE), 1.25 cm internode elongation (55 DAE), booting (77 DAE) and heading (88 DAE). Soil-root core samples were taken to a depth of 40 cm after plant samples were removed, sectioned into 5 cm intervals, roots were washed from soil and root lengths, dry weights and radii were measured. Root parameters were significantly affected by the soil depth × growth stage interaction. In addition, only root radius was affected by cultivar. At the 0- to 5-cm soil depth, root length density ranged from 38 to 93 cm cm^-3 throughout the growing season and decreased with depth to about 2 cm cm^-3 in the 35- to 40-cm depth increment. The increase in root length measured with each succeeding growth stage in each soil horizon also resulted in increased root surface area, hence providing more exposed area for nutrient uptake. About 90% of the total root length was found in the 0- to 20-cm soil depth throughout the season. Average root radius measured in the 0- to 5-cm and 35- to 40-cm depth increments ranged from 0.012 to 0.013 cm and 0.004 to 0.005 cm, respectively throughout the season. Total nutrient uptake by rice differed among cultivars only during vegetative growth. Differences in total nutrient uptake among the cultivars in the field appear to be related to absorption kinetics of the cultivars measured in a growth chamber study. Published with permission of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Evaluation in field conditions of a three-dimensional architectural model of the maize root system: Comparison of simulated and observed horizontal root maps

Most existing water and nutrient uptake models are based on the assumption that roots are evenly distributed in the soil volume. This assumption is not realistic for field conditions, and significantly alters water or nutrient uptake calculations. Therefore, development of models of root system growth that account for the spatial distribution of roots is necessary.The objective of this work was to test a three dimensional architectural model of the maize root system by comparing simulated horizontal root maps with observed root maps obtained from the field. The model was built using the current knowledge on maize root system morphogenesis and parameters obtained under field conditions. Simulated root maps (0.45 × 0.75 m) of horizontal cross sections at 3 depths and 3 dates were obtained by using the model for a plant population. Actual root maps were obtained in a deep, barrier-free clay-loamy soil by digging pits, preparing selected horizontal planes and recording root contacts on plastic sheets.Results showed that both the number of cross-sections of axile roots, and their spatial distribution characterized with the R-index value of Clark and Evans (1954), were correctly accounted for by the model at all dates and depths. The number of cross-sections of laterals was also correctly predicted. However, laterals were more clustered around axile roots on simulated root maps than on observed root maps. Although slight discrepancies appeared between simulated and observed root maps in this respect, it was concluded that the model correctly accounted for the general colonization pattern of the soil volume by roots under a maize crop.     

Fine root architecture, morphology, and biomass of different branch orders of two Chinese temperate tree species

We have limited understanding of architecture and morphology of fine root systems in large woody trees. This study investigated architecture, morphology, and biomass of different fine root branch orders of two temperate tree species from Northeastern China—Larix gmelinii Rupr and Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr —by sampling up to five fine root branch orders three times during the 2003 growing season from two soil depths (i.e., 0–10 and.10–20 cm). Branching ratio (R _b) differed with the level of branching: R _b values from the fifth to the second order of branching were approximately three in both species, but markedly higher for the first two orders of branching, reaching a value of 10.4 for L. gmelinii and 18.6 for F. mandshurica. Fine root diameter, length, SRL and root length density not only had systematic changes with root order, but also varied significantly with season and soil depth. Total biomass per order did not change systematically with branch order. Compared to the second, third and/or fourth order, the first order roots exhibited higher biomass throughout the growing season and soil depths, a pattern related to consistently higher R _b values for the first two orders of branching than the other levels of branching. Moreover, the differences in architecture and morphology across order, season, and soil depth between the two species were consistent with the morphological disparity between gymnosperms and angiosperms reported previously. The results of this study suggest that root architecture and morphology, especially those of the first order roots, should be important for understanding the complexity and multi-functionality of tree fine roots with respect to root nutrient and water uptake, and fine root dynamics in forest ecosystems.     

Effect of mutual shading on the emergence of nodal roots and the root/shoot ratio of maize

The effect of mutual shading on the root/shoot ratio and on the number of nodal roots of maize was studied. Plants of two varieties (Dea and LG2281) were grown in individual pots of 9 L, at three plant densities: 7.5, 11 and 15 plants m^–2. A control experiment was carried out in order to study if root growth was affected by the small size of the pots. Maize plants (cv Dea) were grown at a low plant density (7.5 plants m^–2) in pots of two different volumes (9 and 25 L respectively). In both experiments plants were watered every two hours with a nutrient solution. Some plants were sampled at five dates in the main experiment and the following data were recorded: foliar stage; root, stem and leaf dry weight; number of root primordia and number of emerged roots per phytomer. The final sampling date occurred at silking.Results of the control experiment showed that the root biomass was lower in small pots but the number of nodal roots per phytomer was not affected.Results of the main experiment showed that the total plant biomass and the root/shoot ratio were lower at high plant density. The number of emerged roots was strongly reduced on the upper phytomer (P₈). This reduction was mainly due to a lower percentage of root primordia which elongated. A proposed interpretation is that the number of roots which emerge on upper phytomers is controlled by carbohydrate availability.