Role of auxins and cytokinins in the development of lateral roots in wheat plants with several roots removed

The removal of four of five roots of 7–8-day-old wheat plants resulted in the activation of lateral root growth and the initiation of lateral root primordia on the remained root as compared to the main root of intact plants. The extent of this growth response depended on placing cut surface above or beneath the surface of the nutrient solution. The measurement of the IAA and cytokinin contents showed accumulation of these hormones in the root of experimental plants as compared to the main root of intact plants. IAA accumulation was correlated with the number of lateral roots and their primordia. The analysis of hormonal balance and their transport from the shoot to the root permits discussing the involvement of these hormones and their interaction in the control of root growth at the stages of both primordium initiation and development and lateral root elongation.     

Effect of triazinone on root growth and gravireaction

The effects of a synthetic growth promoter, 4-ethoxy-l-( p -tolyl)-S-triazine-2,6 (1H, 3H)-dione [TA], on growth and gravireaction of Zea mays L. (cv. LG 11) roots were investigated. In horizontal, intact roots, pretreatment with TA at 4 × 10⁻⁴ M inhibited the gravireaction. If the pretreated roots were rinsed with a buffer solution before incubation, the TA effect was reduced, indicating that a continuous presence of TA was necessary for its maximal activity. On the other hand, the TA pretreatment (1×10⁻⁵, 1×10⁻⁴ and 4 × 10⁻⁴ M ) promoted the elongation of these roots. The TA effect was stronger for illuminated roots than for those kept in darkness. TA also decreased the lateral curvature of half-decapitated roots maintained vertically in light. This indicates that the action of TA could be associated with some growth inhibiting substances produced or released in cap cells.     

The effect of abscisic acid on cell growth, cell division and DNA synthesis in the maize root meristem

Cis -abscisic acid (ABA), when applied to maize ( Zea mays L. cv. LG 11) roots, decreases the rates of cell growth and cell division in the meristem. It also decreases the rate at which nuclei become labelled with [³H]-thymidine and enter mitosis. Removing the root cap accelerates the entry of nuclei into the DNA synthetic phase of the mitotic cycle and enhances the rate of cell proliferation in the quescent centre. ABA diminishes these effects, but does not suppress them. Thus, ABA cannot wholely substitute for the presence of a cap. One of the primary effects of applied ABA is to retard cell enlargement which may in turn affect the rate of cell division; natural endogenous ABA may act similarly. ABA might in this way assist in maintaining the quiescent centre in intact roots, but cannot be the sole agent involved.     

黄芪幼苗根系生长发育与GR24和IAA的关系北大核心CSCD

为探究独脚金内酯和生长素对黄芪根系生长发育的影响,该研究以膜荚黄芪和蒙古黄芪幼苗为材料,在种子萌发袋中添加不同浓度GR24和IAA(2μmol·L^(-1) GR24、5μmol·L^(-1) IAA和2μmol·L^(-1) GR24+5μmol·L^(-1) IAA),7 d后检测黄芪幼苗主根长和侧根数,并测定内源激素含量、生长素和独脚金内酯相关基因表达量的变化。结果表明:(1)GR24处理显著促进黄芪主根生长。(2)IAA处理下主根生长受到抑制,侧根数明显增加。(3)GR24+IAA处理下主根的生长同样受到抑制,膜荚黄芪侧根数较IAA处理下减少,说明GR24有抑制IAA对侧根发育的诱导作用,但不能缓解IAA对黄芪主根生长的抑制。(4)3种处理下黄芪幼苗根系内源激素含量、生长素和独脚金内酯相关基因表达量发生了显著变化,说明GR24和IAA对黄芪幼苗主根长和侧根数的影响可能与生长素和独脚金内酯相关基因表达及内源激素水平的变化有关。该研究结果初步阐明了黄芪幼苗根系生长发育与GR24和IAA之间的关系,为黄芪规范化育苗和幼苗质量控制提供理论依据,对进一步探索独脚金内酯和生长素调控黄芪根系生长发育的分子机制具有一定的意义。     

Effects of applying etnylene to the root system of Zea mays on growth and nutrient concentration in relation to flooding tolerance

Previous studies have shown increases in the concentration of ethylene in the soil and roots of plants when the soil is water saturated (flooded). In Zea mays L. this occurs in association with an overall reduction in growth but without extensive foliar senescence and in conjunction with the development of an adventitious root system. We have assessed the possibility that ethylene may be involved in these responses to flooding. Mixtures of the gas in air were therefore supplied to the roots and stem-base of Z. mays growing in nutrient solution.
Seven or 14 d exposure to ethylene (1 or 5 νl 1⁻¹) inhibited seminal root elongation and growth in dry weight and accelerated the emergence of adventitious roots, although their final length and dry weight were depressed. Leaf extension was inhibited by 0.1,1.0 or 5.0 μl 1⁻¹ ethylene around the roots; leaves extending rapidiy at the start of treatment were the most sensitive. Final shoot fresh and dry weights were depressed by the gas but tie shootrroot dry weighl ratio and percentage dry matter were not affected greatly. Leaf chlorosis was not observed but the concentration of phosphorus in the shoots was 26 to 31% below normal.
When aeration of the nutrient solution was stopped, the concentration of dissolved oxygen declined and the concentration of ethylene in the roots increased. Similar changes occur in response to soil flooding. Root and shoot growth was slowed by non-aeration although the shootroot dry weight ratio remained unchanged. The phosphorus concentration of the shoots was depressed but there was little chlorosis or leaf death. The similarity in these respects between the effects of ethylene and non-aeration suggests that in flooded Z. mays , ethylene contributes to their development by accelerating the emergence of adventitioos roots, inhibiting phosphorus accumulation in the shoots and by a non-toxic inhibition of plant growth.     

小麦和玉米根系取样位置优化确定及根系分布模拟

为了确定小麦(Triticum aestivum)、玉米(Zea mays)根系的最优取样位置和更准确地模拟根长密度在土壤剖面的分布, 在冬小麦和夏玉米的灌浆后期, 采用根钻法取样, 比较了不同取样位置对根系分布的影响; 采用Gerwitz和Page模型对根长密度的分布进行了模拟。结果表明, 冬小麦行间和行上取样在0-10 cm土层根长密度差异显著, 在10 cm以下土层差异减少。在确定根长密度分布的取样中, 在0-20 cm土层应考虑根长密度分布的空间差异, 即行上密度大于行间密度; 而在20-100 cm土层, 需要考虑行间根长密度大于行上的空间差异; 在1 m以下土层两个位置的差异逐渐消失, 可不考虑空间差异。夏玉米根长密度在上层土壤表现出距离植株不同位置差异显著的特征。植株位置(株上)、距植株10 cm和距植株20 cm位置根长密度在土壤中的分布特征是: 0-10 cm土层3个位置根长密度差异在50%以上, 根长密度大小是株上>距植株10 cm>距植株20 cm; 而在10-30 cm层次, 根长密度表现为距植株10 cm>株上>距植株20 cm, 30-50 cm土层株上位置的根长密度最小, 50 cm以下各位置根长密度差异不明显。对于玉米根系取样, 50 cm以上土层需要考虑根长密度的空间差异, 50 cm以下土层可不考虑。采用Gerwitz和Page模型, 结合华北平原机械化耕作下形成的土壤犁底层变厚及其犁底层容重增加对根系分布的影响, 在模型中加入土壤容重参数订正可以使模型更准确地模拟根长密度在土壤剖面的分布。     

Localisation of translocated 14C in roots and root exudates of field-grown maize

The roots of a mature, field-grown maize plant are dimorphic: the primary root and those from the oldest nodes are bare with a heavily lignified cortex arid sloughed epidermis; those from younger nodes, except for a bare elongation zone, have an intact epidermis surrounded by a persistent soil sheath. Sheathed roots consistently have more layers of cortical cells, but the ratio of volumes of cortex to stele (ca 4) and the cross-sectional area of phloem (ca³× 10⁻² mm²) are similar in each type. Assimilated carbon (from ¹⁴ C applied to a small area of one leaf) was translocated to all roots and actively metabolized in cortex and stele of both types. After 1 to 2 days the proportion of ¹⁴C exuded from a given length of mature root into its soil sheath, or into the adjacent unattached soil in the case of bare roots, was the same (5%) in both root types when compared with the ethanol-soluble ¹⁴C in the tissues of this length. Up to 75% of the ethanol-soluble label in the roots was in a cationic fraction (amino acids and unidentified compounds), ca 1% was in an anionic fraction and the remainder was in a neutral fraction (sugars). Approximately equal amounts of soluble ¹⁴C were found in the stele, cortex and laterals.     

Maize lateral root developmental plasticity induced by mild water stress. I: Genotypic variation across a high‐resolution series of water potentials

Lateral root developmental plasticity induced by mild water stress was examined across a high‐resolution series of growth media water potentials (Ψ_w) in two genotypes of maize. The suitability of several media for imposing near‐stable Ψ_w treatments on transpiring plants over prolonged growth periods was assessed. Genotypic differences specific to responses of lateral root growth from the primary root system occurred between cultivars FR697 and B73 over a narrow series of water stress treatments ranging in Ψ_w from ?0.25 to ?0.40 MPa. In FR697, both the average length and number of first‐order lateral roots were substantially enhanced at a Ψ_w of ?0.25 MPa compared with well‐watered controls. These effects were separated spatially, occurring primarily in the upper and lower regions of the axial root, respectively. Furthermore, first‐order lateral roots progressively increased in diameter with increasing water stress, resulting in a maximum 2.3‐fold increase in root volume at a Ψ_w of ?0.40 MPa. In B73, in contrast, the length, diameter, nor number of lateral roots was increased in any of the water stress treatments. The genotype‐specific responses observed over this narrow range of Ψ_w demonstrate the necessity of high‐resolution studies at mild stress levels for characterization of lateral root developmental plasticity.     

玉米离体根尖的多层滤纸床液体静止培养方法

设计建立了适于玉米根尖离体培养的多层滤纸床液体静止培养方法,培养的适宜体系为：1／4MS大量元素改良＋1／2MS微量元素＋IBA0.1-0.3mg/L,黑暗培养。该方法避免了传统液体培养通气状况不良的问题,玉米根的生长速度可达到1－2cm/d,分支和生长正常。该方法在控制条件下快速繁殖根系,成本低廉,简便易行,是根系发育和生理研究的理想实验体系。     

Increased seminal root number associated with domestication improves nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition in maize seedlings

Background and AimsDomesticated maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) generally forms between two and six seminal roots, while its wild ancestor, Mexican annual teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis), typically lacks seminal roots. Maize also produces larger seeds than teosinte, and it generally has higher growth rates as a seedling. Maize was originally domesticated in the tropical soils of southern Mexico, but it was later brought to the Mexican highlands before spreading to other parts of the continent, where it experienced different soil resource constraints. The aims of this study were to understand the impacts of increased seminal root number on seedling nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition and to model how differences in maize and teosinte phenotypes might have contributed to increased seminal root number in domesticated maize.MethodsSeedling root system architectural models of a teosinte accession and a maize landrace were constructed by parameterizing the functional–structural plant model OpenSimRoot using plants grown in mesocosms. Seedling growth was simulated in a low-phosphorus environment, multiple low-nitrogen environments, and at variable planting densities. Models were also constructed to combine individual components of the maize and teosinte phenotypes.Key ResultsSeminal roots contributed ~35 % of the nitrogen and phosphorus acquired by maize landrace seedlings in the first 25 d after planting. Increased seminal root number improved plant nitrogen acquisition under low-nitrogen environments with varying precipitation patterns, fertilization rates, soil textures and planting densities. Models suggested that the optimal number of seminal roots for nutrient acquisition in teosinte is constrained by its limited seed carbohydrate reserves.ConclusionsSeminal roots can improve the acquisition of both nitrogen and phosphorus in maize seedlings, and the increase in seed size associated with maize domestication may have facilitated increased seminal root number.     

Detection of root mucilage using an anti-fucose antibody

Plant root mucilage is known to enhance soil quality by contributing towards the soil carbon pool, soil aggregation, detoxification of heavy metal ions and interactions with rhizospheric microflora. Mucilage consists of many monosaccharide units, including fucose which can be used as an indicator for plant root based polysaccharides. This is the first report of an immunological technique developed to use anti-fucose antibodies as markers for probing and localizing fucosyl residues in mucilage polysaccharide and, in turn, for localization of plant root mucilage. Fucose was complexed with bovine serum albumin to raise antibodies against fucose. A fucose-directed antibody was shown to cross-react with root cap mucilages from grasses. This antibody was used to localize root mucilage polysaccharide in maize and wheat root caps using immunogold electron microscopy. Abundant labelling could be localized on the cell wall, and in the intercellular matrix and vesicles of the peripheral root cap cells. Labelling was less intense in cells towards the centre of the root cap tissue. Control experiments confirmed that immunogold localization of fucose was specific and reliable.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization outcompetes root hairs in maize under low phosphorus availability

Background and AimsAn increase in root hair length and density and the development of arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis are two alternative strategies of most plants to increase the root–soil surface area under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Across many plant species, root hair length and mycorrhization density are inversely correlated. Root architecture, rooting density and physiology also differ between species. This study aims to understand the relationship among root hairs, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization, plant growth, P acquisition and mycorrhizal-specific P_i transporter gene expression in maize.MethodsUsing nearly isogenic maize lines, the B73 wild type and the rth3 root hairless mutant, we quantified the effect of root hairs and AMF infection in a calcareous soil under P deficiency through a combined analysis of morphological, physiological and molecular factors.Key ResultsWild-type root hairs extended the rhizosphere for acid phosphatase activity by 0.5 mm compared with the rth3 hairless mutant, as measured by in situ zymography. Total root length of the wild type was longer than that of rth3 under P deficiency. Higher AMF colonization and mycorrhiza-induced phosphate transporter gene expression were identified in the mutant under P deficiency, but plant growth and P acquisition were similar between mutant and the wild type. The mycorrhizal dependency of maize was 33 % higher than the root hair dependency.ConclusionsThe results identified larger mycorrhizal dependency than root hair dependency under P deficiency in maize. Root hairs and AMF inoculation are two alternative ways to increase P_i acquisition under P deficiency, but these two strategies compete with each other.     

Characteristics of ammonium absorption by excised root and leaf tissues of maize

Absorption of ammonium from solutions of ammonium chloride by maize ( Zea mays L. cv. GS-2) tissue was studied. In contrast to an initial rapid phase of absorption in root tissue, a one hour lag period was recorded in leaf tissue. The maximum rate of uptake was observed at 5–10 m M NH₄Cl in both tissues. Roots had a K_m value of 1.0 m M and V_max of 24.3 μmol ammonium (g fresh weight)⁻¹ h⁻¹, whereas the leaf tissue had a higher K_m (4.1 m M ) and a lower V_max (8.7 μmol). There was a concentration dependent increase in ethanol soluble and insoluble fractions of organic nitrogen during ammonium supply. The optimum pH for ammonium absorption for both tissues was 7.4. The optimal concentration of CaCl₂ for ammonium absorption was 5 m M whereas that of KCl was only 1 m M . In both tissues, the absorption was inhibited substantially by DCMU, DNP, cycloheximide, lincomycin, sodium tungstate, sodium arsenate and to some extent also by the anions nitrate and sulfate. It is suggested that a carrier is involved in an active uptake of ammonium in the leaf tissues.     

Formation of aerenchyma in roots of Zea mays in aerated solutions, and its relation to nutrient supply

The formation of lysigenous cavities (aerenchyma) in the root cortex of maize, Zea mays L. cv. Capella, under well-aerated conditions has been studied in relation to the composition of the nutrient solutions. Nitrogen, either supplied as nitrate or as ammonium, reduced the cavity formation by the roots. This reduction was most apparent at nitrate concentrations above 2 mM. Cavities were increasingly formed when the nitrate concentration was decreased and they reached their largest dimensions in roots growing in water. Thus, inadequate availability of nitrogen leads, under acrated conditions, to deterioration of cortex cells and cavity formation in the maize roots. It is suggested that cavity formation in these roots is connected with reduced nitrogen assimilation.