Modelling the effect of varying soil water on root growth dynamics of annual crops

We present a simple framework for modelling root growth and distribution with depth under varying soil water conditions. The framework considers the lateral growth of roots (proliferation) and the vertical extension of roots (root front velocity). The root front velocity is assumed to be constant when the roots descend into an initially wet soil profile. The lateral growth of roots is governed by two factors: (1) the current root mass or root length density at a given depth, and (2) soil water availability at that depth.Under non-limiting soil water conditions, the increase in root mass at any depth is governed by a logistic equation so that the root length density (R _v) cannot exceed the maximum value. The maximumR _v, is assumed to be the same for all depths. Additional dry matter partitioned to roots is initially distributed according to the current root mass at each depth. As the root mass approaches the maximum value, less dry matter is partitioned to that depth.When soil water is limiting, a water deficit factor is introduced to further modify the distribution of root dry matter. It is assumed that the plant is an energy minimiser so that more root mass is partitioned to the wetter regions of the soil where least energy will be expended for root growth. Hence, the model allows for enhanced root growth in areas where soil water is more easily available.Simulation results show that a variety of root distribution patterns can be reproduced due to varying soil water conditions. It has been demonstrated that broad patterns of root distribution reported in the literature can also be simulated by the model.     

Estimation of tree root lengths using fractal branching rules: a comparison with soil coring for Grevillea robusta

Previous theoretical research has suggested that lengths of tree roots can be estimated on the basis of their branching characteristics, if branching has a fractal pattern that is independent of root diameter. This theory and its underlying assumptions was tested for Grevillea robusta trees at a site in Kenya by comparing estimates of root length from conventional soil coring and the output of a fractal branching algorithm. The trees were in a 4-year-old stand established on a 3 × 4 m planting grid. Root lengths (L _r) in four units of the planting grid were estimated by soil coring. Branching characteristics determined by examination of 32 excavated roots from 16 trees were: The number of branches at each branching point; the length of links between branching points (L _l); the diameter of root tips; and parameters which describe the change in diameter at each branching point. Each was found to be independent of root size. These data were used to parameterise a branching algorithm, which was then used to estimate numbers of root links in the four grid units (n _l) from root diameters at the bases of the four trees at the corners of each unit. Root lengths, from L _r = n₁ L₁, severely underestimated L _r. This discrepancy probably resulted from inaccuracy in the parameterisation of the branching algorithm, as output from the algorithm was very sensitive to small changes in parameter values. Use of fractal branching rules alone to estimate roots length does not appear possible unless the algorithm is calibrated to adjust for errors in parameter estimation. Calibration can be achieved by calculation of an 'effective link length', L ^eff ₁, from L _r/n _l, where L _r is measured by a reference method such as soil coring.     

Estimating sugarcane root length density through root mapping and orientation modelling

Root length density (RLD) is a key factor in crop functioning. A field method was developed to quantify RLD of sugarcane from root intersection density (RID) taking root orientations into account. RIDs were observed on three perpendicular soil planes and RLD was measured for the enclosed volume. RID and RLD of thick and fine roots were measured separately. These measurements were replicated at different ages and sites to test models describing RLD according to RID. Fine roots were nearly isotropic and thick roots had a preferential orientation, i.e. horizontal near the surface and becoming progressively vertical in deeper horizons. Relationships in thick roots were modelled according to CO_t: RLD_t = RID_t. CO_t (CO_t: root orientation coefficient, ranged from 1.3 to 4.9 for thick roots). For fine roots (_f), CO_f?=?2. This theoretical model led to differences between measured and calculated RLD. The ratio between measured and calculated RLD_f (CE_f) increased from 1 to 3 with RID_f. CE_f was introduced as an additional coefficient in the model: RLD_f?=?2. NI_f. CE_f. Intermediate results were obtained for all (_a) roots: CO_a and CE_a were both dependent on RID_a, therefore: RLD_a = NI_a. CO_a. CE_a. The models were validated with independent datasets from Brazil and France. These allowed a more robust prediction of RLD than direct regressions between RID and RLD. They may estimate RLD from RID in soil profiles by root mapping while taking RLD spatial variability into account.     

Comparison of tomato root distributions by minirhizotron and destructive sampling

Calibration of minirhizotron data against root length density (RLD) was carried out in a field trial where three drip irrigation depths: surface (R0) and subsurface, 0.20 m (RI) and 0.40 m depth (RII) and two processing tomato cultivars: `Brigade' (CI) and `H3044' (CII) were imposed. For each treatment three minirhizotron tubes were located at 10, 37.5 and 75 cm of the way from one plant row to the next. Roots intersecting the minirizotrons walls were expressed as root length intensity (L _a) and number of roots per unit of minirhizotron wall area (N _ra). Root length density (RLD) was calculated from core samples taken for each minirhizotron tube at two locations: near the top of the minirhizotron (BI) and 15 cm apart from it, facing the minirhizotron wall opposite the plant row (BII). Minirhizotron data were regressed against RLD obtained at BI and BII and with their respective means. The results show that for all the situations studied, better correlations were obtained when RLD was regressed with L _a than with N _ra. Also was evident that the relationship between L _a and RLD was strongly influenced by the location of soil coring. RLD was correlated with L _a trough linear and cubic equations, having the last ones higher determination coefficients. For instance at 10 cm from the plant row when values from the top layer (0–40 cm) were analysed separately, L _a was significantly regressed with RLD measured at BII and described by the equations: RLD = 0.5448 + 0.0071 L _a (R ² = 0.51) and RLD = 0.4823 + 0.0074L _a + 8×10^–5 L _a ² – 5×10^–7 L _a ³ (R ² = 0.61). Under the 40 cm depth the highest coefficients of determination for the linear and cubic equations were respectively 0.47 and 0.88, found when L _a was regressed with RLD measured at BI. For minirhizotrons located at 75 cm from the plant row and for location BI it was possible to analyse jointly data from all depths with coefficients of determination of 0.45 and 0.59 for the linear and cubic equations respectively.     

Salinity and the Hydraulic Conductance of Roots

The effect of salinity on hydraulic conductance of intact roots of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was determined in split-root experiments using salinized nutrient solutions. Experiments were conducted in controlled climate chambers under two or three relative humidity levels and four solution osmotic potential levels. The relationship between water flux through roots (J_v) and total water potential difference between the leaves and the root medium (Δψ) was linear, usually with a small intercept. Thus, the root hydraulic conductance (L) was not affected by salinity within the range of fluxes obtained in these experiments, with L= 0.036 mm h^?1 bar^?1 for tomato and L= 0.0167 mm h^?1 bar^?1 for sunflower. Our results agreed with theoretical analysis of coupled water and ion uptake. From Cl^? and Na⁺ uptake data, the reflection coefficient (o) for tomato roots was calculated as 0.956, which was compatible with the near-zero intercept. A large intercept for sunflower could not be readily explained. Relative humidity strongly affected root growth, with more rapid growth under low humidity conditions. Transpiration of sunflower plants was reduced by 20% when the relative humidity was increased from 34% to 84%, whereas transpiration in tomato was reduced 50%.     

植物激素和接种方式对广西金线莲壮苗生根的影响

该文以广西野生金线莲无菌播种离体茎段为材料,采用单因素对比试验,研究了植物激素(NAA、IBA、6-BA、GA_3、KT、ZT、TDZ、2-IP)以及接种方式(竖直接种和水平接种)对壮苗生根培养的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,生长素有利于壮苗生根,NAA的效果优于IBA;细胞分裂素对壮苗生根的效果依次为6-BATDZKT=ZT 2-IPCK,其中6-BA诱导平均株高8.4 cm,3.6条根,茎粗为2.84 mm,植株生长健壮,诱导效果最好;赤霉素GA_3诱导出的植株高且直,但植株细弱,且抑制根系生长,不利于壮苗生根培养;在激素组合6-BA 0.5 mg·L~(-1)、NAA1.0 mg·L~(-1)处理中,组培苗生长健壮且根数量较多,效果最佳;水平接种能诱导出更多的根系,且便于接种操作,可以节省接种时间。因此,确定广西金线莲最适宜的壮苗生根培养基配方为1/2MS+6-BA 0.5 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 1.0 mg·L~(-1)+香蕉汁100 g·L~(-1)+AC(活性炭) 1.0 g·L~(-1)+蔗糖20 g·L~(-1),最佳接种方式为水平接种。     

Deficiency of potassium but not phosphorus enhances root respiration

Root respiration of kohlrabi (Brassica oleraceavar. gongylodes) was measured non-destructivelyin vivo by infrared gas analysis of completeroot systems, using potted plants in sand culture andnutrient solutions, for six weeks under (a) nutrientsufficiency, (b) deficiency of all mineral nutrients,(c) potassium deficiency or (d) phosphorus deficiency.This was to study the adaptation to nutrient stress interms of changes in root growth, root respiration,assimilate allocation and energy requirement fornutrient uptake. Both deficiencies of phosphorus andpotassium increased the root:shoot-ratio. This wasattributed to the plants transferring a largerrelative proportion of assimilates to the roots thanto the shoots relative to nutrient-sufficient plants.Roots of nutrient-sufficient kohlrabi respired 1.7 or7.7 mg CO₂ h^–1 per g fresh or dry matter, respectively. However, potassiumdeficiency enhanced root respiration to 2.4 mgCO₂ h^–1 or 12.2 mg CO₂ h^–1 on a per g fresh or dry weight basis respectively. This originated from an additional2.6 mg glucose g^–1 dry matter h^–1 allocated to the roots and provided 50 Joule additional energy(150 versus 100 Joule g^–1 dry matter h^–1)which may become available for the proposedK⁺:H⁺ symporter for potassium uptake.     

Growth,loss, and vertical distribution of Pinus radiata fine roots growing at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration

Increased below-ground carbon allocation in forest ecosystems is a likely consequence of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration. If this results in changes to fine root growth, turnover and distribution long-term soil carbon cycling and storage could be altered. Bi-weekly measurements were made to determine the dynamics and distribution of fine roots (< 1 mm diameter) for Pinus radiata trees growing at ambient (350 μmol mol^–1) and elevated (650 μmol mol^–1) CO₂ concentration in large open-top chambers. Measurements were made using minirhizotrons installed horizontally at depths of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.9 m. During the first year, at a depth of 0.3 m, the increase in relative growth rate of roots occurred 6 weeks earlier in the elevated CO₂ treatment and the maximum rate was reached 10 weeks earlier than for trees in the ambient treatment. After 2 years, cumulative fine root growth (P_t) was 36% greater for trees growing at elevated CO₂ than at ambient CO₂ concentration, although this difference was not significant. A model of root growth driven by daily soil temperature accounted for between 43 and 99% of root growth variability. Total root loss (L_t) was 9% in the ambient and 14% in the elevated CO₂ treatment, although this difference was not significant. Root loss was greatest at 0.3 m. In the first year, 62% of fine roots grown between mid-summer and late-autumn disappeared within a year in the elevated CO₂ treatment, but only 18% in the ambient CO₂ treatment (P < 0.01). An exponential model relating L_t to time accounted for between 74 and 99% of the variability. Root cohort half-lives were 951 d for the ambient and 333 d for the elevated treatment. Root length density decreased exponentially with depth in both treatments, but relatively more fine roots grown in the elevated CO₂ treatment tended to occur deeper in the soil profile.     

Changes in Structure and Hydraulic Conductivity for Root Junctions of Desert Succulents as Soil Water Status Varies

Variations in hydraulic conductivity (L_P) and the underlying anatomical and morphological changes were investigated for main root-lateral root junctions of Agave deserti and Ferocactus acanthodes under wet, dry, and rewetted soil conditions. During 21 d of drying, L_P and radial conductivity (L_R) increased threefold to fivefold at junctions of both species. The increase in L_R was accompanied by the formation of an apoplastic pathway for radial water movement from the surface of the junction to the stele for A. deserti and by the rupture of periderm by emerging primordia of secondary lateral roots for F. acanthodes. During 7 d of rewetting, L_R decreased for junctions of A. deserti, as apoplastic water movement was not apparent, but L_R was unchanged for F. acanthodes. Axial conductance (K_h) decreased during drying for both species, largely because of embolism related to the degradation of unlignified cell wall areas in tracheary elements at the root junction. The resulting apertures in the cell walls of such elements would admit air bubbles at pressure differences of only 0.12-0.19 MPa. Rewetting restored K_h for both species, but not completely, due to blockage of xylem elements by tyloses. About 40% of the primary lateral roots of the monocotyledon A. deserti abscised during 21 d of drying. For the dicotyledon F. acanthodes, which can form new conduits in its secondary xylem, only 10% of the primary lateral roots abscised during 21 d of drying, consistent with the much greater frequency of lateral roots that persist during drought in the field compared with the case for the sympatric A. deserti.     

Competition in tree row agroforestry systems. 1. Distribution and dynamics of fine root length and biomass

Complementarity in the distribution of tree and crop root systems is important to minimise competition for resources whilst maximising resource use in agroforestry systems. A field study was conducted on a kaolinitic Oxisol in the sub-humid highlands of western Kenya to compare the distribution and dynamics of root length and biomass of a 3-year-old Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br. (grevillea) tree row and a 3-year-old Senna spectabilis DC. (senna) hedgerow grown with Zea mays L. (maize). Tree roots were sampled to a 300 cm depth and 525 cm distance from the tree rows, both before and after maize cropping. Maize roots were sampled at two distances from the tree rows (75–150 cm and 450–525 cm) to a maximum depth of 180 cm, at three developmental stages. The mean root length density (L_rv) of the trees in the upper 15 cm was 0.55 cm cm⁻³ for grevillea and 1.44 cm cm⁻³ for senna, at the start of the cropping season. The L_rv of senna decreased at every depth during the cropping season, whereas the L_rv of grevillea only decreased in the crop rooting zone. The fine root length of the trees decreased by about 35% for grevillea and 65% for senna, because of maize competition, manual weeding, seasonal senescence or pruning regime (senna). At anthesis, the L_rv of maize in the upper 15 cm was between 0.8 and 1.5 cm cm⁻³. Maize root length decreased with greater proximity to the tree rows, potentially reducing its ability to compete for soil resources. However, the specific root length (m g⁻¹) of maize was about twice that of the trees, so may have had a competitive uptake advantage even when tree root length was greater. Differences in maize fine root length and biomass suggest that competition for soil resources and hence fine root length may have been more important for maize grown with senna than grevillea. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fibrous root turnover and growth in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera) as affected by nitrogen shortage

The root system of plants is subject to fast cycles of renewal and decay within the growing season. In water and/or nutrient stress conditions, this turnover may become strategic for plant survival and productivity, but knowledge about its mechanisms is still insufficient. In order to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilization on growth and turnover of sugar beet roots, an experiment was carried out over two growing seasons in northern Italy with two levels of N supply (0, 100 kg ha^–1). Biomass production and partitioning were followed during growth, and fibrous root dynamics were inspected by means of computer-aided procedures applied to minirhizotron images.In conditions of N shortage, lower yields (storage roots) were associated with greater allocation of biomass to tap roots (final tap-root/shoot ratio = 5.6 vs. 4.1) and shallower distribution of fibrous root length density. The maximum depth of roots was not affected by N, but unfertilized plants reached it more slowly.The ratio of cumulative root dead length to produced length at the end of the growing period (TDL _max/TPL _max) was used as the most suitable approach for assessing overall root turnover. This ratio was greater in controls (0.73 vs. 0.50), which showed lower root longevity (–34% life-span on average), indicating that a greater proportion of root growth was renewed by unfertilized plants over the season.     

Theoretical evidence that root penetration ability interacts with soil compaction regimes to affect nitrate capture

Background and AimsAlthough root penetration of strong soils has been intensively studied at the scale of individual root axes, interactions between soil physical properties and soil foraging by whole plants are less clear. Here we investigate how variation in the penetration ability of distinct root classes and bulk density profiles common to real-world soils interact to affect soil foraging strategies.MethodsWe utilize the functional–structural plant model ‘OpenSimRoot’ to simulate the growth of maize (Zea mays) root systems with variable penetration ability of axial and lateral roots in soils with (1) uniform bulk density, (2) plow pans and (3) increasing bulk density with depth. We also modify the availability and leaching of nitrate to uncover reciprocal interactions between these factors and the capture of mobile resources.Key ResultsSoils with plow pans and bulk density gradients affected overall size, distribution and carbon costs of the root system. Soils with high bulk density at depth impeded rooting depth and reduced leaching of nitrate, thereby improving the coincidence of nitrogen and root length. While increasing penetration ability of either axial or lateral root classes produced root systems of comparable net length, improved penetration of axial roots increased allocation of root length in deeper soil, thereby amplifying N acquisition and shoot biomass. Although enhanced penetration ability of both root classes was associated with greater root system carbon costs, the benefit to plant fitness from improved soil exploration and resource capture offset these.ConclusionsWhile lateral roots comprise the bulk of root length, axial roots function as a scaffold determining the distribution of these laterals. In soils with high soil strength and leaching, root systems with enhanced penetration ability of axial roots have greater distribution of root length at depth, thereby improving capture of mobile resources.     

A comparative study between two citrus rootstocks: Effect of nitrate on the root morpho-topology and net nitrate uptake

Root morpho-topology and net nitrate uptake of two citrus seedlings, Volkamer Lemon and Carrizo Citrange, grown at two nitrogen supplies (NO₃-N 5 M and 1000 M, respectively) were studied. Root morphological and topological parameters were gauged by an image-specific analysis system (WinRHIZO). Net nitrate uptake was estimated using the nitrate depletion method. The main findings showed that Carrizo seedlings had a dichotomous branching root system characterized by high root tip numbers and long 2^nd order lateral roots. Conversely, Volkamer root systems had a herringbone structure with a long tap root and 1^st order lateral root. Nitrate treatment did not seem to affect the pattern of the two genotypes, except for the 2^nd order lateral roots (Carrizo more than Volkamer) and root/shoot ratio and root mass ratio (Volkamer more than Carrizo) that were significantly different at low nitrate supply. Nitrate treatments induced a diverse net nitrate uptake regulation between citrus rootstocks. Indeed, at low nitrate supply, Carrizo showed a more efficient nitrate acquisition process in terms of: 1) higher net nitrate uptake maximum of the inducible high affinity transport system or full induction (A), (2) higher cumulative nitrate uptake (A_t) and (3) lower t₁ parameter defined as the half time of the net nitrate uptake rate of the inducible transport system during the induction phase, compared to Volkamer. Conversely, at the high nitrate level, only the genotypical difference of the t₁ parameter was maintained. The results suggested that, at the low nitrate level, the morphological root traits such as higher 2^nd order lateral roots and greater root tip numbers of the Carrizo compared with Volkamer seedlings, enhance the capacity to absorb nitrate from nutrient solution.     

Morphological synergism in root hair length,density, initiation and geometry for phosphorus acquisition in Arabidopsis thaliana: A modeling approach

Low phosphorus availability regulates root hair growth in Arabidopsis by (1) increasing root hair length, (2) increasing root hair density, (3) decreasing the distance between the root tip and the point at which root hairs begin to emerge, and (4) increasing the number of epidermal cell files that bear hairs (trichoblasts). The coordinated regulation of these traits by phosphorus availability prompted us to speculate that they are synergistic, that is, that they have greater adaptive value in combination than they do in isolation. In this study, we explored this concept using a geometric model to evaluate the effect of varying root hair length (short, medium, and long), density (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 root hairs per mm of root length), tip to first root hair distance (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mm), and number of trichoblast files (8 vs. 12) on phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE) in Arabidopsis. SimRoot, a dynamic three-dimensional geometric model of root growth and architecture, was used to simulate the growth of Arabidopsis roots with contrasting root hair parameters at three values of phosphorus diffusion coefficient (D _e=1×10^–7, 1×10^–8, and 1×10^–9 cm² s^–1) over time (20, 40, and 60 h). Depzone, a program that dynamically models nutrient diffusion to roots, was employed to estimate PAE and competition among root hairs. As D _e decreased from 1×10^–7 to 1×10^–9 cm² s^–1, roots with longer root hairs and higher root hair densities had greater PAE than those with shorter and less dense root hairs. At D _e=1×10^–9 cm² s^–1, the PAE of root hairs at any given density was in the order of long hairs > medium length hairs > short hairs, and the maximum PAE occurred at density = 96 hairs mm^–1 for both long and medium length hairs. This was due to greater competition among root hairs when they were short and dense. Competition over time decreased differences in PAE due to density, but the effect of length was maintained, as there was less competition among long hairs than short hairs. At high D _e(1×10^–7 cm² s^–1), competition among root hairs was greatest among long hairs and lowest among short hairs, and competition increased with increasing root hair densities. This led to a decrease in PAE as root hair length and density increased. PAE was also affected by the tip to first root hair distance. At low D _e values, decreasing tip to first root hair distance increased PAE of long hairs more than that of short hairs, whereas at high D _e values, decreasing tip to first root hair distance increased PAE of root hairs at low density but decreased PAE of long hairs at very high density. Our models confirmed the benefits of increasing root hair density by increasing the number of trichoblast files rather than decreasing the trichoblast length. The combined effects of all four root hair traits on phosphorus acquisition was 371% greater than their additive effects, demonstrating substantial morphological synergy. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that the responses of root hairs to low phosphorus availability are synergistic, which may account for their coordinated regulation.     

翠菊根系养分捕获形态塑性及其生理机制

为验证以下3个假设: 1) NO₃ ^-和NH₄ ⁺及其不同供给方式显著影响根系生长; 2) NO₃ ^-和NH₄ ⁺以及不同供给方式对根内激素含量影响显著; 3)根构型(1级根长、单位2级根上1级侧根密度(分枝强度)和1级根在2级根上的根间距)与根内激素(生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)和细胞分裂素(玉米素核苷+玉米素) (CK (ZR + Z))含量显著相关, 采用营养液培养方法, 使实验植物翠菊(Callistephus chinensis)在两种氮肥(NO₃ ^-和NH₄ ⁺)、不同施氮浓度(NO₃ ^-: 0.2、1.0和18.0 mmol·L ^-1; NH₄ ⁺: 0.2、4.0和20.0 mmol·L ^-1), 以及脉冲和稳定两种施用方式处理下生长。在处理35天后收获植物, 测定根系生物量、根系构型指标(根系1级根长、单位2级根上1级侧根数和1级根在2级根上的根间距)和根系中激素含量(IAA、ABA和CK (ZR + Z))。结果显示: 1)实验处理对根生物量和根系中IAA、ABA和CK (ZR + Z)含量均有不同程度的显著影响: 施用NH₄ ⁺使根生物量和根内IAA含量显著低于施用NO₃ ^-; 高浓度NO₃ ^-和NH₄ ⁺处理亦使根生物量和IAA降低; 相对于稳定处理, 脉冲施氮显著降低根生物量和根内IAA含量; NO₃ ^-使根内CK (ZR + Z)含量显著高于施用NH₄ ⁺, 且与施氮浓度及施氮方式无关; NO₃ ^-处理下, 高浓度使根内ABA含量提高, 且脉冲处理使ABA含量升高。NH₄ ⁺处理下, 高浓度使根内ABA含量降低, 而施氮方式对其没有显著影响。2)根构型因素与根内激素关系各异: 各激素与1级根间距无显著关系; IAA和CK (ZR + Z)与1级根长和侧根密度有显著回归关系。3)根构型因素与根生物量的关系是根生物量与1级根长和侧根密度有显著正回归关系, 与1级根间距无显著回归关系。实验结果表明翠菊根生长的 “反常”可能是由于其对脉冲高浓度NH₄ ⁺耐受阈值低所致。该研究通过实验建立了氮养分种类/供应方式通过改变激素、影响根构型而影响根生长的联系, 进一步探究了植物根养分捕获塑性机制。     

Genetic variability for root hair traits as related to phosphorus status in soybean

Plant root hairs are believed to be very important for phosphorus (P) uptake from the soil by expanding the absorptive surface area of the root and increasing the soil volume explored by the roots, but genetic information about root hair traits in soybean is relatively scarce. In the present study, two contrasting genotypes of soybean (Glycine max and Glycine soja), CN4 and XM6, and their 88 F₉-derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were grown in a field with moderately low P availability. Some important root hair traits, including root hair density (RHD), average root hair length (ARHL), and root hair length per unit root (RHLUR) were investigated and quantified with an automatic image analysis system and the genetic variability for these root hair traits was estimated with the RIL population. The results indicated that the two parental genotypes differed significantly in the three root hair traits measured, with XM6 generally having larger RHD and RHLUR (but smaller ARHL) than CN4, which may in part explain the difference in biomass and P status between the two parents. All the three root hair traits were continually segregated in the progenial RIL population with a normal distribution of the phenotypic values, indicating that these traits are possibly controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Analysis of variance for the RIL population showed that RHD had a low heritability (h² _b = 27.32, 31.04, 33.97% for basal roots, tap roots, total roots, respectively), while ARHL had a relatively higher genetic variance and hence a higher heritability (h² _b = 53.85, 59.18, 60.98% for basal roots, tap roots, total roots, respectively), suggesting that RHD is influenced more by environmental factors than ARHL. Both RHD and ARHL were positively correlated with RHLUR, indicating that the former two traits may be the attributes to the latter. On the other hand, RHD and ARHL were negatively correlated with each other, implying a possible complementary relationship between the two traits. Both RHD and RHLUR (but not ARHL) were positively correlated with P concentration in the plant, suggesting an important role of root hairs in P status. The basal roots had denser and higher total root hair length than the tap roots, and this is in accordance with previous observations with other plants that basal roots are more effective for P uptake than tap roots in cultivated soils.     

Plasma membrane fluidity and hydraulic conductance in wheat roots: interactions between root temperature and nitrate or phosphate deprivation

The hypothesis was tested that the negative effect of mineral nutrient deprivation (–N and –P) on the hydraulic conductance (L0) of wheat roots may be relieved by increasing the fluidity of plasma membrane (PM) lipids through elevated temperature. An increase in root temperature from 20 to 30°C increased the sap flow, J_v, from the excised roots of nutrient-deprived plants for 4 h, with a corresponding increase in L₀. In the same period, there was a decline in the flux of osmotically active solutes (J_s > to the xylem. As the duration of the period at 30°C increased, it was clear that the differential in L₀ between control and nutrient-deprived roots was maintained, even though L_u was significantly greater than the initial (20 °C) value after 48h. The lipid order parameter, determined by fluorescence polarization of 1, 6 diphenyl- 1, 3, 5-hexatriene (DPH), decreased markedly in two-phase purified PMs in the first 4 h of treatment at 30°C, but thereafter remained steady. The differential between control and nutrient-deprived roots was maintained throughout the 48h period. The correlation between lowered L₀ in nutrient-deprived roots and increased PM lipid ordering remained unchanged in conditions where the overall membrane fluidity was increased by elevated temperature.     

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.     

Upscaling from Rhizosphere to Whole Root System: Modelling the Effects of Phospholipid Surfactants on Water and Nutrient Uptake

While the rhizosphere presents a different chemical, physical and biological environment to bulk soil, most experimental and modelling investigations of plant growth and productivity are based on bulk soil parameters. In this study, water and nutrient acquisition by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots was investigated using rhizosphere- and root-system-scale modelling. The physical and chemical properties of rhizosphere soil could be influenced by phospholipid surfactants in the root mucilage. Two models were compared: a 2-dimensional (2D) Finite Element Method rhizosphere model, and a 3-dimensional (3D) root architecture model, ROOTMAP. ROOTMAP was parameterised to reproduce the results of the detailed 2D model, and was modified to include a rhizosphere soil volume. Lecithin (a phospholipid surfactant) could be exuded into the rhizosphere soil volume, decreasing soil water content and hydraulic conductivity at any given soil water potential, and decreasing phosphate adsorption to soil particles. The rhizosphere-scale modelling (5 × 5 mm² soil area, 10 mm root length, uptake over 12 h) predicted a reduction in water uptake (up to 16% at 30 kPa) and an increase in phosphate uptake (up to 4%) with lecithin exudation into the rhizosphere, but little effect on nitrate uptake, with only a small reduction in dry soil (1.6% at 200 kPa). The 3D root model reproduced the water (y = 1.013x, R² = 0.996), nitrate (y = 1x, R² = 1) and phosphate (y = 0.978x, R² = 0.998) uptake predictions of the rhizosphere model, providing confidence that a whole root system model could reproduce the dynamics simulated by a Finite Element Method rhizosphere model. The 3D root architecture model was then used to scale-up the rhizosphere dynamics, simulating the effect of lecithin exudation on water, nitrate and phosphate acquisition by a wheat root system, growing over 41 d. When applied to growing and responsive roots, lecithin exudation increased P acquisition by up to 13% in nutrient-rich, and 49% in relatively nutrient-poor soil. A comparison of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) root architectures, suggested an interaction between the P acquisition benefit of rhizosphere lecithin and root architecture, with the more highly-branched wheat root structure acquiring relatively more P in the presence of lecithin than the sparsely-branched lupin root system.