Epigenetic predisposition to expression of TIMP1 from the human inactive X chromosome

Background

Cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) is endowed with a rich genetic variability. In spite of such a great diversity, the modern rice cultivars have narrow genetic base for most of the agronomically important traits. To sustain the demand of an ever increasing population, new avenues have to be explored to increase the yield of rice. Wild progenitor species present potential donor sources for complex traits such as yield and would help to realize the dream of sustained food security.

Results

Advanced backcross method was used to introgress and map new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) relating to yield and its components from an Indian accession of Oryza rufipogon. An interspecific BC₂ testcross progeny (IR58025A/O. rufipogon//IR580325B///IR58025B////KMR3) was evaluated for 13 agronomic traits pertaining to yield and its components. Transgressive segregants were obtained for all the traits. Thirty nine QTLs were identified using interval mapping and composite interval mapping. In spite of it's inferiority for most of the traits studied, O. rufipogon alleles contributed positively to 74% of the QTLs. Thirty QTLs had corresponding occurrences with the QTLs reported earlier, indicating that these QTLs are stable across genetic backgrounds. Nine QTLs are novel and reported for the first time.

Conclusion

The study confirms that the progenitor species constitute a prominent source of still unfolded variability for traits of complex inheritance like yield. With the availability of the complete genome sequence of rice and the developments in the field of genomics, it is now possible to identify the genes underlying the QTLs. The identification of the genes constituting QTLs would help us to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the action of QTLs.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi shift competitive relationships among crop and weed species

Aims

Because plants cannot change their environmental circumstances by changing their location, they must instead adapt to a wide variety of environmental conditions, especially soil conditions. One of the most effective ways for a plant to adapt to a given soil condition is by modifying its root system architecture. We aim to identify the genetic factors controlling root growth angle, a trait that affects root system architecture.

Methods

The present study consisted of a genetic analysis of the seminal root growth angle in wheat; the parental varieties of the doubled haploid lines (DHLs) used in this study exhibited significantly different root growth directions. Using the ‘basket’ method, the ratio of deep roots (DRR; the proportion of total roots with GA > 45 degrees) was observed for evaluating deep rooting.

Results

We were able to identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the gravitropic and hydrotropic responses of wheat roots. Moreover, we detected one QTL for seminal root number per seedling (RN) on chromosome 5A and two QTLs for seminal root elongation rate (ER) on chromosomes 5D and 7D.

Conclusions

Gravitropic and hydrotropic responses of wheat roots, which play a significant role in establishing root system architecture, are controlled by independent genetic factors.     

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice links to NH4 + toxicity and futile NH4 + cycling in roots

Aims

Rice is known as an ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)-tolerant species. Nevertheless, rice can suffer NH₄ ⁺ toxicity, and excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer has raised NH₄ ⁺ in many paddy soils to levels that reduce vegetative biomass and yield. Examining whether thresholds of NH₄ ⁺ toxicity in rice are related to nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) is the aim of this study.

Methods

A high-NUE (Wuyunjing 23, W23) and a low-NUE (Guidan 4, GD) rice cultivar were cultivated hydroponically, and growth, root morphology, total N and NH₄ ⁺ concentration, root oxygen consumption, and transmembrane NH₄ ⁺ fluxes in the root meristem and elongation zones were determined.

Results

We show that W23 possesses greater capacity to resist NH₄ ⁺ toxicity, while GD is more susceptible. We furthermore show that tissue NH₄ ⁺ accumulation and futile NH₄ ⁺ cycling across the root-cell plasma membrane, previously linked to inhibited plant development under elevated NH₄ ⁺, are more pronounced in GD. NH₄ ⁺ efflux in the root elongation zone, measured by SIET, was nearly sevenfold greater in GD than in W23, and this was coupled to strongly stimulated root respiration. In both cultivars, root growth was affected more severely by high NH₄ ⁺ than shoot growth. High NH₄ ⁺ mainly inhibited the development of total root length and root area, while the formation of lateral roots was unaffected.

Conclusions

It is concluded that the larger degree of seedling growth inhibition in low- vs. high-NUE rice genotypes is associated with significantly enhanced NH₄ ⁺ cycling and tissue accumulation in the elongation zone of the root.     

A major QTL associated with Fusarium oxysporum race 1 resistance identified in genetic populations derived from closely related watermelon lines using selective genotyping and genotyping-by-sequencing for SNP discovery

Key message

A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for Fusarium oxysporum Fr. f. sp. niveum race 1 resistance was identified by employing a “selective genotyping” approach together with genotyping-by-sequencing technology to identify QTLs and single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the resistance among closely related watermelon genotypes.

Abstract

Fusarium wilt is a major disease of watermelon caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. f. sp. niveum (E.F. Sm.) W.C. Snyder & H.N. Hans (Fon). In this study, a genetic population of 168 F₃ families (24 plants in each family) exhibited continuous distribution for Fon race 1 response. Using a “selective genotyping” approach, DNA was isolated from 91 F₂ plants whose F₃ progeny exhibited the highest resistance (30 F₂ plants) versus highest susceptibility (32 F₂ plants), or moderate resistance to Fon race 1 (29 F₂ plants). Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology was used on these 91 selected F₂ samples to produce 266 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, representing the 11 chromosomes of watermelon. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with resistance to Fon race 1 was identified with a peak logarithm of odds (LOD) of 33.31 and 1-LOD confidence interval from 2.3 to 8.4 cM on chromosome 1 of the watermelon genetic map. This QTL was designated “Fo-1.1” and is positioned in a genomic region where several putative pathogenesis-related or putative disease-resistant gene sequences were identified. Additional independent, but minor QTLs were identified on chromosome 1 (LOD 4.16), chromosome 3 (LOD 4.36), chromosome 4 (LOD 4.52), chromosome 9 (LOD 6.8), and chromosome 10 (LOD 5.03 and 4.26). Following the identification of a major QTL for resistance using the “selective genotyping” approach, all 168 plants of the F ₂ population were genotyped using the SNP nearest the peak LOD, confirming the association of this SNP marker with Fon race 1 resistance. The results in this study should be useful for further elucidating the mechanism of resistance to Fusarium wilt and in the development of molecular markers for use in breeding programs of watermelon.     

Identification of QTLs associated with agronomic performance under nitrogen-deficient conditions using chromosome segment substitution lines of a wild rice relative, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza rufipogon</Emphasis>

Improved root system architecture can enhance agronomic performance by increasing water and nitrogen (N) acquisition efficiency. However, little is known about interaction between root system architecture and agronomic performance under field environments. To gain a better understanding about the genetic basis of these relationships, we evaluated a set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from crosses between a tropical japonica rice cultivar ‘Curinga’ and a wild species Oryza rufipogon accession IRGC105491. Root system architectural traits were investigated using the CSSLs at 40 days old seedlings using the root basket method under hydroponic conditions, and agronomic performances were also tested under field conditions with different N treatments. Agronomic performances were computed as the ratio of a trait value under low to high N treatments, including grain yield and biomass yield as nitrogen-deficiency tolerance (NDT) traits. Root architecture and NDT trait QTLs were mapped using 238 SNP marker loci. A total of 13 QTLs for root system architectural, NDT and morpho-physiological traits were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Interestingly, a QTL for deeper root number was identified the region of SNP markers between id1012330 and id1021697 on chromosome 1 under hydroponic conditions overlapped with a QTL for NDT trait of relative grain yield (qRGY1). These results suggest that deeper root trait is helpful to maintain grain yield under nitrogen-deficient conditions. The QTL associated root architecture could potentially be used in future rice-breeding efforts to increase agronomic performance under nitrogen-deficient conditions.     

Major QTLs reduce the deleterious effects of high temperature on rice amylose content by increasing splicing efficiency of Wx pre-mRNA

Key message

We discovered four QTLs that maintain proper rice amylose content at high temperature by increasing the splicing efficiency of Wx gene.

Abstract

Amylose content mainly controlled by Wx gene is a key physicochemical property for eating and cooking quality in rice. During the grain filling stage, high temperature can harm rice grain quality by significantly reducing the amylose content in many rice varieties. Here, we provide genetic evidences between Wx gene expression and rice amylose content at high temperature, and identified several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in this pathway. We performed a genome-wide survey on a set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) which carried chromosomal segments from the heat resistant indica 9311 in the heat-sensitive japonica Nipponbare background. Four QTLs, qHAC4, qHAC8a, qHAC8b and qHAC10, which can reduce the deleterious effects of amylose content at high temperature, were identified and mapped to chromosome 4, 8, 8 and 10, respectively. The major QTL qHAC8a, with the highest LOD score of 6.196, was physically mapped to a small chromosome segment (~300 kb). The CSSLs carrying the qHAC8a, qHAC8b and/or qHAC4 from 9311 have the high pre-mRNA splicing efficiency of Wx gene and likely lead to stable amylose content at high temperature. Thus, increasing pre-mRNA processing efficiency of Wx gene could be an important regulation mechanism for maintaining stable amylose content in rice seeds at high temperature. In addition, our results provide a theoretical basis for breeding heat-stable grain in rice.     

QTL mapping of root traits in phosphorus-deficient soils reveals important genomic regions for improving NDVI and grain yield in barley

Key message

Major QTLs for root rhizosheath size are not correlated with grain yield or yield response to phosphorus. Important QTLs were found to improve phosphorus efficiency.

Abstract

Root traits are important for phosphorus (P) acquisition, but they are often difficult to characterize and their breeding values are seldom assessed under field conditions. This has shed doubts on using seedling-based criteria of root traits to select and breed for P efficiency. Eight root traits were assessed under controlled conditions in a barley doubled-haploid population in soils differing in P levels. The population was also phenotyped for grain yield, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), grain P uptake and P utilization efficiency at maturity (PutE_GY) under field conditions. Several quantitative traits loci (QTLs) from the root screening and the field trials were co-incident. QTLs for root rhizosheath size and root diameter explained the highest phenotypic variation in comparison to QTLs for other root traits. Shared QTLs were found between root diameter and grain yield, and total root length and PutE_GY. A common major QTL for rhizosheath size and NDVI was mapped to the HvMATE gene marker on chromosome 4H. Collocations between major QTLs for NDVI and grain yield were detected on chromosomes 6H and 7H. When results from BIP and MET were combined, QTLs detected for grain yield were also those QTLs found for NDVI. QTLs qGY5H, qGY6H and qGY7Hb on 7H were robust QTLs in improving P efficiency. A selection of multiple loci may be needed to optimize the breeding outcomes due to the QTL x Environment interaction. We suggest that rhizosheath size alone is not a reliable trait to predict P efficiency or grain yield.

     

Biomechanics of nodal, seminal and lateral roots of barley: effects of diameter, waterlogging and mechanical impedance

Background and aims

Biomechanical properties of cereal root systems largely control both resistance to root lodging and their ability to stabilise soil. Abiotic stresses can greatly modify root system growth and form. In this paper the effect of waterlogging and moderate mechanical impedance on root biomechanics is studied for both lateral roots and the main axes of barley.

Methods

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants were subjected to transient water-logging and moderate mechanical impedance in repacked soil columns. Roots were excavated, separated into types (nodal, seminal or lateral) and tested in tension to measure strength and elastic modulus.

Results

Water-logging and mechanical impedance substantially changed root system growth whilst root biomechanical properties were affected by waterlogging. Root strength was generally greater in thin roots and depended on root type. For example, seminal roots 0.4–0.6 mm in diameter were approximately seven times stronger and five times stiffer than lateral roots of the same diameter when mechanically impeded. Root sample populations typically exhibited negative power-law relationships between root strength and diameter for all root types. Mechanical impedance slowed seminal root elongation by approximately 50 % and resulted in a 15 % and 11 % increase in the diameter of in nodal and seminal roots respectively. Power-law relationships between root diameter and root biomechanical properties corresponded to the different root types. Coefficients for between root diameter, strength and elastic modulus improved when separated by root type, with R² values increasing in some roots from 0.05 to 0.71 for root strength and 0.08 to 0.74 for elastic modulus.

Conclusions

Moderate mechanical impedance did not influence the tensile strength of roots, but, waterlogging diminished the relationship between root strength and diameter. Separation of root type improved predictions of root strength and elastic modulus using power-law regressions.     

Effects of nitrogen deposition on growth and phosphate efficiency of Schima superba of different provenances grown in phosphorus-barren soil

Aims

We determined whether nitrogen (N) deposition on phosphorus (P)-limited soil could increase Schima superba growth or alter root formation or P efficiency. The effects of N deposition on S. superba were also used to investigate the N/P requirements of plants of different provenances.

Methods

One-year-old S. superba seedlings from eight geographic areas were grown in P-limited soil and treated with N (0, 50, 100, and 200 -kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1; i.e., control, N50, N100, or N200, respectively). Seedling growth, root development, phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE), and phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) were measured.

Results

S. superba responded positively to N supplementation. Seedling growth and dry biomass were highest with N100 treatment and lowest with N200. Root biomass and acquisition of soil P were greatest with N100. Significant differences were observed among plants of different geographical provenances. PAE and PUE had a strong relationship with root growth in plants subjected to N100 treatment.

Conclusion

A threshold for N and P requirements related to different genetic conditions and soil nutrients may exist for S. superba. Root growth and PAE can be divided into three categories based on soil nitrate levels. Nutrients were found to control root morphology and to enhance aboveground differences.     

Net root growth and nutrient acquisition in response to predicted climate change in two contrasting heathland species

Background and aims

Accurate predictions of nutrient acquisition by plant roots and mycorrhizas are critical in modelling plant responses to climate change.

Methods

We conducted a field experiment with the aim to investigate root nutrient uptake in a future climate and studied root production by ingrowth cores, mycorrhizal colonization, and fine root N and P uptake by root assay of Deschampsia flexuosa and Calluna vulgaris.

Results

Net root growth increased under elevated CO₂, warming and drought, with additive effects among the factors. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization increased in response to elevated CO₂, while ericoid mycorrhizal colonization was unchanged. The uptake of N and P was not increased proportionally with root growth after 5 years of treatment.

Conclusions

While aboveground biomass was unchanged, the root growth was increased under elevated CO₂. The results suggest that plant production may be limited by N (but not P) when exposed to elevated CO₂. The species-specific response to the treatments suggests different sensitivity to global change factors, which could result in changed plant competitive interactions and belowground nutrient pool sizes in response to future climate change.     

N2 fixation of pea hypernodulating mutants is more tolerant to root pruning than that of wild type

Background and aims

As a legume, pea plant has the ability to symbiotically fix N₂. However, symbiotic N₂ fixation is very sensitive to environmental stresses that affect plant growth, and there is little knowledge on the impact of root pruning on N₂ fixation and plant growth.

Methods

In this study, we removed half of the nodulated roots of pea wild-type Frisson and hypernodulating mutants P64, P118, and P121. Dinitrogen fixation was measured using ¹⁵N labeling and carbon assimilation and partitioning between plant organs using ¹³C labeling.

Results

Root pruning decreased N₂ fixation by ?46 to ?79 % in wild-type and mutants. Pea mutant P118 had a lower decrease of specific activity of N₂ fixation (?17 %) than both wild-type and other mutants (?36 to ?62 %). For all genotypes, root pruning increased root and nodule sinks strengths for carbon. For P118 and for P121, this was associated to higher nodule growth than for control plants, as measured 8 days after root pruning.

Conclusion

This is the first analysis of N₂-fixing plant response to root pruning. Importantly, we showed that some hypernodulating mutant pea lines (P118 and to a lesser extent P121) withstood this stress better than wild-type did.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci for tissue culture response in VCS3M-DH population of Brassica rapa

Key message

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling callus induction and plant regeneration were identified in the VCS3M-DH population of Brassica rapa.

Abstract

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling callus induction and plant regeneration were identified in the VCS3M-DH population of Brassica rapa. The VCS3M-DH population showed wide and continuous variation in callus induction and shoot regeneration. Significant coefficient correlations were detected between these two parameters. Broad-sense heritability (h ²) for the two traits was around 0.7, indicating genetic regulation of regeneration ability in this population. In the composite interval mapping analysis, two QTLs for callus induction ability, qCi2 and qCi7, were mapped on chromosome A02 and A07, explaining 28.6 % of phenotypic variation. For plant regeneration, four QTLs, qPr6-1 qPr6-2, qPr7, and qPr9 were identified on chromosome A06, A07, and A09, which in total explained 50.1 % of phenotypic variation. Furthermore, 15 putative candidate genes were found on the interval of the six QTLs, which were related to various plant hormones, MADS-box genes, and serine/threonine related genes. These results provide important information to identify genes related to tissue culture ability in B. rapa.     

Comparative QTL analysis of root lesion nematode resistance in barley

Key message

This study demonstrates for the first time that resistance to different root lesion nematodes ( P. neglectus and P. penetrans ) is controlled by a common QTL. A major resistance QTL ( Rlnnp6H ) has been mapped to chromosome 6H using two independent barley populations.

Abstract

Root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are important pests in cereal production worldwide. We selected two doubled haploid populations of barley (Igri × Franka and Uschi × HHOR 3073) and infected them with Pratylenchus penetrans and Pratylenchus neglectus. Nematode multiplication rates were measured 7 or 10 weeks after infection. In both populations, continuous phenotypic variations for nematode multiplication rates were detected indicating a quantitative inheritance of resistance. In the Igri × Franka population, four P. penetrans resistance QTLs were mapped with 857 molecular markers on four linkage groups (2H, 5H, 6H and 7H). In the Uschi × HHOR 3073 population, eleven resistance QTLs (P. penetrans and P. neglectus) were mapped with 646 molecular markers on linkage groups 1H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H and 7H. A major resistance QTL named Rlnnp6H (LOD score 6.42–11.19) with a large phenotypic effect (27.5–36.6 %) for both pests was mapped in both populations to chromosome 6H. Another resistance QTL for both pests was mapped on linkage group 5H (Igri × Franka population). These data provide first evidence for common resistance mechanisms against different root lesion nematode species. The molecular markers are a powerful tool for the selection of resistant barley lines among segregating populations because resistance tests are time consuming and laborious.     

Phosphorus supply enhances the response of legumes to elevated CO2 (FACE) in a phosphorus-deficient vertisol

Background & aims

Understanding the mechanism of how phosphorus (P) regulates the response of legumes to elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) is important for developing P management strategies to cope with increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration. This study aimed to explore this mechanism by investigating interactive effects of CO₂ and P supply on root morphology, nodulation and soil P fractions in the rhizosphere.

Methods

A column experiment was conducted under ambient (350?ppm) (aCO₂) and eCO₂ (550?ppm) in a free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) system. Chickpea and field pea were grown in a P-deficient Vertisol with P addition of 0–16?mg?P?kg^?1.

Results

Increasing P supply increased plant growth and total P uptake with the increase being greater under eCO₂ than under aCO₂. Elevated CO₂ increased root biomass and length, on average, by 16?% and 14?%, respectively. Nodule biomass increased by 46?% in response to eCO₂ at 16?mg P kg^?1, but was not affected by eCO₂ at no P supply. Total P uptake was correlated with root length while N uptake correlated with nodule number and biomass regardless of CO₂ level. Elevated CO₂ increased the NaOH-extractable organic P by 92?% when 16?mg P kg^?1 was applied.

Conclusion

The increase in P and N uptake and nodule number under eCO₂ resulted from the increased biomass production, rather than from changes in specific root-absorbing capability or specific nodule function. Elevated CO₂ appears to enhance P immobilization in the rhizosphere.     

Selection of phosphate-solubilizing diazotrophic Herbaspirillum and Burkholderia strains and their effect on rice crop yield and nutrient uptake

Background and Aims

Plant growth-promoting bacteria, mainly diazotrophs and phosphate solubilizers, can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers for rice crops. Here, diazotrophic bacteria isolated from rice were screened for their ability to solubilize inorganic P (P_i) in vitro and in association with rice plants cultivated in pots.

Methods

Forty-nine isolates were tested for the ability to solubilize P_i on NBRIP and GL agar plate media and seven selected strains were further evaluated in NBRIP liquid medium. Three of these strains were inoculated in rice plants grown in soil pots containing ¹⁵N-labeled fertilizer and two sources of P: tricalcium phosphate (TCP) or simple superphosphate (SSP). The dry matter, yield, N, P, and the ¹⁵N content accumulated in plant tissues were measured at 135 days after planting.

Results

Seven strains belonging to the genera Herbaspirillum and Burkholderia formed a halo of solubilized P_i on agar plates. The Burkholderia strains showed peak soluble P (around 200 mg P L^?1) on the fifth day when grown in NBRIP liquid medium for 14 days. Inoculation of Herbaspirillum strains (H18, ZA15) and a Burkholderia vietaminensis strain (AR114) increased rice grain yield from 33 to 47 % with TCP and 18 to 44 % with TSS, respectively. The bacterial inoculation led to enhanced N-use efficiency of the ¹⁵N-labeled fertilizer.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the selection and use of P-solubilizing diazotrophic bacteria are a good strategy to promote P solubilization and/or N use efficiency in rice plants.     

Fertilizer N uptake of paddy rice in two soils with different fertility under experimental warming with elevated CO2

Background and aims

Only limited information is available in the research area on the effect of elevated CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) and air temperature (T_air) on the fertilizer N uptake by rice. This study was conducted to investigate changes in rice uptake of N derived from fertilizer (NDFF) and soil (NDFS) as well as fertilizer N uptake efficiency (FUE) with elevated [CO₂] and T_air in two soils with different fertility.

Methods

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were grown with ¹⁵N-urea for two growing seasons (2007 in the less fertile and 2008 in the more fertile soil) in temperature gradient chambers under two (ambient and elevated) levels of [CO₂] and T_air regimes. At harvest, dry matter (DM) and N uptake amount of rice compartments (root, shoot, and grain) were determined.

Results

The DM of whole rice increased (P?<?0.01) with co-elevation of [CO₂] and T_air in both years (by 28.0 % in 2007 and by 27.4 % in 2008). The DM in 2008 was greater than that in 2007 by 48.1 to 63.1 % probably due to better soil fertility as well as longer sunshine hours (456 h vs. 568 h). Co-elevation of [CO₂] and T_air increased total N uptake, NDFF, and NDFS by 19.4 to 29.1 % in general compared to the ambient conditions. The FUE increased with co-elevation of [CO₂] and T_air from 46.5 to 59.5 % in 2007 and from 36.7 to 43.8 % in 2008.

Conclusions

The projected global warming with elevated [CO₂] is expected to increase FUE via enhanced DM accumulation with less increments in the soils that have higher indigenous soil N availabilities.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizas and their role in plant growth, nitrogen interception and soil gas efflux in an organic production system

Background and aims

Roots and mycorrhizas play an important role in not only plant nutrient acquisition, but also ecosystem nutrient cycling.

Methods

A field experiment was undertaken in which the role of arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) in the growth and nutrient acquisition of tomato plants was investigated. A mycorrhiza defective mutant of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (named rmc) and its mycorrhizal wild type progenitor (named 76R) were used to control for the formation of AM. The role of roots and AM in soil N cycling was studied by injecting a ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate solution into surface soil at different distances from the 76R and rmc genotypes of tomato, or in plant free soil. The impacts of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal root systems on soil greenhouse gas (CO₂ and ¹⁴⁺¹⁵N₂O and ¹⁵N₂O) emissions, relative to root free soils, were also studied.

Results

The formation of AM significantly enhanced plant growth and nutrient acquisition, including interception of recently applied NO ₃ ^? . Whereas roots caused a small but significant decrease in ¹⁵N₂O emissions from soils at 23?h after labeling, compared to the root-free treatment, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) had little effect on N₂O emissions. In contrast soil CO₂ emissions were higher in plots containing mycorrhizal root systems, where root biomass was also greater.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data indicate that roots and AMF have an important role to play in plant nutrient acquisition and ecosystem N cycling.