Effects of root pruning on the growth and water use efficiency of winter wheat

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of root pruning at the stem elongation stage on the growth and water use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). The results showed that stomatal conductance (g) and transpiration (E) of wheat were very sensitive to root pruning. After root pruning, they declined rapidly and but returned to pre-pruning values 15 days after treatment. Under well-watered conditions, there was no significant difference in leaf water potential (ψ_leaf) between root pruned and control plants after root pruning. Under moderate drought stress, ψ_leaf of root pruned plants declined significantly compared to the control 3 days after root pruning. After 15 days, ψ_leaf of root pruned plants was similar to the controls. Under different soil moisture levels, net assimilation rate (A) of root pruned plants was lower than controls 3–7 days after root pruning, but was similar to the controls 15 days after pruning. At anthesis (50 days after root pruning), root pruned plants showed significantly higher A compared with the control. Leaf area per tiller and tiller number of root pruning plants was significant lower than the control at booting stage, which showed that root pruning restrained the growth of plants in the early growing stage, but leaf area per stem, of root pruned plants, was similar to the control at anthesis. Under both soil moisture levels, there was no significant difference in grain yield between root pruned and the control plants in the monoculture. In mixture with the control plants, the root pruned plants was less productive and had a lower relative yield (0.92 and 0.78, respectively) compared with the control (1.13 and 1.19, respectively), which suggested that the pruned plants lost some of its competing ability and showed a lower ability to acquire and use the same resources in the mixture compared with the control plant. Over the whole growing cycle, root pruning reduced water consumption (by 10% under well-watered conditions and 16% under moderate drought stress) of wheat significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05), and but there was no significant difference in grain yield between root pruned and control plants. Therefore root pruned wheat had a higher WUE with respect to grain yield compared with the controls. In conclusion, lowering water consumption by root pruning in the early growing stage is an effective way to improve water use efficiency in arid and semi arid areas.     

The effects of (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4 triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol (Paclobutrazol:PP333) and root pruning on the growth,water use and response to drought of Colt Cherry rootstocks

The effect of (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4 triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol (PP333) on the growth and transpiration of normal and root pruned colt rootstocks was measured. PP333 reduced plant height, stem diameter increment, leaf number, area and weight and stem weight. Root pruning reduced root, leaf and stem weight, and plant height in control plants. PP333 reduced both total water use and transpiration per unit leaf area and increased stomatal resistance. In control plants root pruning also reduced total water use and increased stomatal resistance. 15 days after the beginning of the experiment half the plants in all treatments were allowed to dry out. The effects of drought, i.e. reduced transpiration, growth and leaf water potentials, were smaller in PP333 treated than in control plants.     

基于叶片水势的内蒙古典型草原植物水分适应特征研究

水分是限制草原生态系统植物生存、繁殖和扩散最重要的生态因子,植物通过多样的水分适应策略适应干旱环境。为了解典型草原植物水势特征及其影响因素,在2017年和2018年的生长季对内蒙古典型草原71种植物的叶片黎明水势、午后水势、叶片和根系功能性状进行了测定与分析。结果表明:测定的71种植物叶片的黎明水势分布于-2.67—-0.63 MPa,午后水势分布于-4.67—-1.01 MPa;一年生植物的叶片具有最高的黎明水势、午后水势和最小的水势日差值(叶片的黎明水势与午后水势的差值),多年生禾草的叶片具有最低的黎明水势、午后水势和最大的水势日差值;71种植物对水分的适应策略可分为高水势保持型、低水势忍耐型和变水势波动型;叶片午后水势与叶片干物质含量和根系深度呈极显著的负相关关系(P<0.01),但与比叶面积呈极显著的正相关关系(P<0.01)。本研究有助于从植物生理学的角度上准确认识典型草原植物的水分适应性及水分生态特征。     

EFFECTS OF ROOT PRUNING AT THE REGREENING STAGE ON DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF WINTER WHEAT IN LATE GROWING STAGE

 通过盆栽试验研究了返青期根修剪对冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)后期耐旱性及水分利用效率的影响。在返青期设置了两个根修剪处理: 1)小剪根, 在植株一侧切去部分侧生根; 2)大剪根, 在主茎四周切去部分侧生根。不剪根者设为对照(CK)。研究结果显示, 两个根修剪处理均显著减少了小麦的根系, 但对根冠比没有显著影响。在花期, 两个根修剪处理的小麦旗叶的叶绿素荧光参数最大光化学效率(The maximum photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ, F_v/F_m)、 PSⅡ潜在活性 (PSⅡ potential activity, F_v/F_o)、实际光化学量子产量(Effective PSⅡ quantum yield, Φ_PSⅡ)、表观光合电子传递速率(Apparent rate of photosynthetic electron transport, ETR)、光化学淬灭系数( Coefficient of photochemical quenching, q_P)和非光化学淬灭系数(Coefficient of non-photochemical quenching, NPQ)值, 在停止供水7 d后, 均显著高于对照, 这表明根修剪小麦的耐旱性强于对照, 因此在干旱胁迫下有较高的光化学活性。小剪根处理在高水条件下对小麦产量无显著影响, 而在中度干旱条件下显著提高了小麦的产量, 因此, 小剪根处理显著提高了小麦的抗旱系数; 小剪根处理在高水分处理(土壤水分含量为田间持水量的85%)和中度干旱胁迫处理(土壤水分含量为田间持水量的55%)条件下, 均显著提高了小麦的水分利用效率。但大剪根处理由于严重影响了群体数量和产量, 水分利用效率和抗旱系数均没有提高。可见, 适当地减少根系有助于小麦的耐旱性和水分利用效率的提高。     

Growth-rates in Relation to Assimilate Supply and Demand: I. LEAVES AND ROOTS AS LIMITING REGIONS

Vyvyan's observation that the growth of the grafted apple-treeis controlled more by the rootstock than by the scion impliesthat apple-tree growth is more limited by a function of theroot-system than of the foliage; pruning away half the rootswould be expected to reduce growth to a greater extent thanpruning half the leaves. Following leaf and/or root pruningof young trees with twin root-systems, growth over two successivethree-week periods in late summer was reduced only by leaf pruning;the compensatory adjustments in distribution of growth wereinsufficient to account for the discrepancy between observationand expectation. The compensatory processes were (1) increasein the growth-rates of the pruned parts relative to the totalgrowth (this was most marked for the roots), (2) increase inthe rate of function of the pruned part, as estimated indirectlyas plant increment per g functioning part (this rate increasedmost for pruned leaves). It was concluded that neither leafnor root was continuously limiting growth, and that both usuallyoperated below their maximum efficiency.     

The Effects of Root Pruning on the Water Relations of Helianthus annuus L.

Four-week-old Helianthus annuus plants, grown in both soil andliquid culture, were root pruned at the point of root attachmentto the stem. Transpiration, leaf water potential and leaf conductivitywere monitored for several days after pruning. Pruning loweredtranspiration and leaf conductivity in amounts proportionalto the amount of pruning. In some experiments pruning causeda slight lowering of leaf water potential, while in others nopruning effect could be found. The effects of pruning varieddepending upon culture conditions, with greater effects beingfound in soil and unaerated liquid culture than in aerated liquidculture. Soil water potential did not appear to have a stronginfluence on the magnitude of the pruning effect. The effectsof root pruning are less than would be predicted by an Ohm'sLaw analysis of flow; possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Strategies of leaf expansion in Ficus carica under semiarid conditions

Leaf area expansion, thickness and inclination, gas exchange parameters and relative chlorophyll content were analysed in field‐grown fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves over time, from emergence until after full leaf expansion (FLE). Ficus carica leaves showed a subtle change in shape during the early stages of development, and FLE was reached within ca. 30 days after emergence. Changes in leaf thickness and inclination after FLE demonstrated good adaptation to environmental conditions during summer in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Changes in gas exchange parameters and relative chlorophyll content showed that F. carica is a delayed‐greening species, reaching maximum values 20 days after FLE. Correlation analysis of datasets collected during leaf expansion, confirmed dependence among structural and functional traits in F. carica. Pn was directly correlated with stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration (E), leaf area (LA) and relative chlorophyll content up to FLE. The effect of pruning on leaf expansion, a cultural technique commonly applied in this fruit tree, was also evaluated. Although leaf development in pruned branches gave a significantly higher relative leaf area growth rate (RGR_l) and higher LA than non‐pruned branches, no significant differences were found in other morphological and physiological traits, indicating no pruning effect on leaf development. All studied morphological and physiological characteristics indicate that F. carica is well adapted to semiarid conditions. The delayed greening strategy of this species is discussed.     

Growth Responses of Sweet Orange Seedlings to Shoot and Root Pruning

Following combined shoot- and root-pruning treatments the growthof Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck seedlings was analysed into responsesto post-pruning size and to the part pruned. The treatmentswere shoots pruned by removing O, , or of their estimated weightin all combinations with roots pruned by removing O, , or oftheir estimated weight. Responses were measured a year laterand are discussed in terms of the mechanisms controlling increment.Total increment was linearly related to initial pruned weightboth within and between treatments and there were no interactionsbetween shoot and root pruning in increment of leaf, new stem,old stem, thorn, fibre-root, or tap-root. Root pruning, pergramme of pruned material, reduced increment more than did shootpruning. With increasing shoot pruning the ratio of new stem to old stemincreased while with increasing root pruning the ratio of fibre-rootto tap-root increased. Following shoot pruning the new-stemincrement was disproportionately large while following rootpruning the increment of top growth was proportionately largerthan that of roots. The results suggest that pruning citrus trees to a constantsize at planting could lead to a uniform tree size in the subsequentorchard but that maximum growth would occur on un-pruned trees.     

Root distributions in a Grevillea robusta-maize agroforestry system in semi-arid Kenya

Limited knowledge of root distributions in agroforestry systems has resulted in assumptions that various tree species are more suited to agroforestry than others, because they are presumed to have few superficial lateral roots. This assumption was tested for Grevillea robusta when grown with maize (Zea mays) in an agroforestry system in a semi-arid region of Kenya. At a site with a shallow soil, root lengths of both species between the soil surface and bedrock were quantified by soil coring, at intervals over four cropping seasons, in plots containing sole stands and mixtures of the trees and crop; the trees were 4–6 years old and they were severely pruned before the third season. Profiles of soil water content were measured using a neutron probe. Prior to pruning of the trees, recharge of soil water below the deepest maize roots did not occur, resulting in significant (P<0.05) suppression of maize root lengths and downward root growth. Maximum root length densities for both species occurred at the top of the soil profile, reaching 1.1–1.7 cm cm^-3 for G. robusta, but only 0.5 cm cm^-3 for maize grown with trees. Root populations in mixed plots were dominated by G. robusta at all times, all depths and all distances from trees and maize and, thus, there was no spatial separation of the rooting zones of the trees and crop. Competition between G. robusta and maize for soil water stored near the surface was unavoidable, although pruning reduced its impact; complementary use of water by the trees and crop would only have been possible if alternative sources of water were available. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

多效唑和干旱胁迫对毛竹实生苗活力、光合能力及非结构性碳水化合物的影响

以1年生毛竹实生苗为研究对象,研究多效唑对不同水分条件下毛竹实生苗的叶绿素含量、光合参数、非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量、碳氮比、根系活力的影响。设置3个水分梯度:W1(75%相对田间持水量,CK)、W2(50%相对田间持水量,中度干旱)和W3(35%相对田间持水量,重度干旱),以及2个多效唑浓度:P1(0mg/L)、P2(40mg/L)。结果表明:随干旱强度增加,P1W1、P1W2、P1W3处理叶色逐渐变淡。与对照P1W1相比,P1W2和P1W3处理下叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素、叶绿素a/b和叶绿素总含量显著下降(P0.05),Pn、Tr、WUE显著下降(P0.05),Ls显著上升(P0.05),毛竹叶片及根系中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量显著上升(P0.05),毛竹根系活力显著下降。多效唑处理后,P2W2和P2W3的叶片色素含量相对于P2W1显著提高,但P2W2与P2W3无显著差异。同时,施加多效唑使Pn显著提高,P2W3较P1W3增加了146.9%。此外,P2W3处理使可溶性糖大量积累,达最大值3.41mg/g;毛竹叶片及根系淀粉含量显著上升,根系活力显著提高。试验揭示了多效唑通过提高干旱水平下毛竹实生苗的根系活力、光合速率,增加光合色素、非结构性碳水化合物含量,并将养分从地上转移到地下部分,进而抵御干旱胁迫带来的伤害。     

再生水补水河道芦苇碳氮化学计量特征及其对环境的响应

在再生水补水河道内,芦苇（Phragmites australis）受高氮再生水的长期影响,具有独特的碳（C）、氮（N）化学计量特征。为查明芦苇C、N化学计量特征及其对高氮环境的响应,在芦苇生长季节（5、7、9月份）,分析了再生水补水的潮白河顺义段内河水、土壤及芦苇各器官（根、茎和叶）中C、N含量及碳氮比（C/N）。结果表明：河水中C、N含量和C/N比分别在22.20-37.25 mg/L、2.24-11.20 mg/L和3.33-9.92之间。土壤中C、N含量和C/N比的范围为5.69-35.17、0.28-2.63、8.77-25.39。在整个生长季节的所有采样点内,芦苇根、茎和叶中C含量的平均值分别为（170.84±63.56）、（369.02±39.12）、（431.80±96.70） mg/g;N含量的平均值分别为（8.20±3.96）、（14.11±6.22）和（30.73±8.66） mg/g;C/N比的平均值分别为23.89±12.84、32.65±18.48、15.21±5.60。方差分析表明,芦苇各器官中C、N计量特征具有显著的季节性差异（P<0.05）,这主要与芦苇在生长过程中的生理作用有关。环境中C、N计量特征具有显著的空间差异（P<0.05）,受环境变量的影响,芦苇叶中N含量和C/N比从上游到下游显著降低（P<0.05）。逐步回归分析的结果显示,土壤和河水中的C、N含量能够解释芦苇叶中71.0%的变量（P<0.05）;土壤中C、N含量和河水中N含量能够解释芦苇叶C/N比82.6%的变量（P<0.05）。相关分析指出,河水中N含量与土壤中N含量显著正相关（P<0.05）,说明土壤受到高氮再生水的影响而具有较强的供N能力。高氮环境下,芦苇叶中N含量较高;相较于芦苇茎和叶,根中C含量较小。研究证明在再生水补水河道中,芦苇对环境中的N有良好的吸收能力,其C、N计量特征对高氮环境表现出明显的响应。     

Root-Shoot Interaction in the Turnover of Reserves in Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Roots

Root–shoot interaction in the tea plant, in relation toturnover of root reserves, following pruning and manuring, wereinvestigated by ring barking the roots or severing mature rootsin both unpruned and pruned plants. Translocation of leaf assimilatesto the root system appears to be dependent on a feeder rootstimulus, and nitrogen assimilation by the root system seemsto depend on replenishment of root reserves by leaf activity,both of which were interrupted by ring barking. Camellia sinensis, root–shoot interaction, tea, root reserves, translocation     

玉米早期根系构型及其生理特性对土壤水分的响应

为了探明玉米早期根系结构及其对土壤水分的生理响应,揭示玉米幼苗的抗旱机理,以蠡玉18为材料,采用盆栽试验,设置轻度胁迫(LS)、中度胁迫(MS)、重度胁迫(SS)和正常供水(CK)4个水分处理,系统研究从播种开始持续水分处理对夏玉米苗期根系形态结构及活力、保护酶系统及生理调节物质的影响。结果表明:随着水分胁迫程度的加剧,玉米根长、根表面积、根体积和根干重等各形态指标较CK下降幅度逐渐增大,不同水分胁迫使夏玉米苗期根系结构存在差异。轻度和中度胁迫显著增加了细根(0.05—0.25 mm)根长和根表面积比例,重度水分胁迫显著降低粗根(0.50 mm)根长与根表面积比例。玉米苗期根冠比、根系活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量随水分胁迫程度的增强而上升,随着胁迫时间的延长,根冠比逐渐降低。根系可溶性蛋白含量随土壤水分含量的下降而下降,MS、SS处理较CK显著降低(P0.05)。夏玉米根系中SOD对水分胁迫较CAT、POD更敏感,轻度水分胁迫下主要依赖CAT、中度水分胁迫下主要依赖POD、重度水分胁迫下主要依赖SOD来降低氧化伤害;且重度胁迫下,随着胁迫时间的延长保护酶活性下降。苗期玉米通过增加根冠比、增强根系活力和不同保护酶活性及降低可溶性蛋白等渗透调节物质来协同减少水分胁迫的危害。     

Stomatal and hydraulic conductance in growing sugarcane: stomatal adjustment to water transport capacity*

Abstract Stomatal conductance per unit leaf area in well-irrigated field- and greenhouse-grown sugarcane increased with leaf area up to 0.2 m² plant ¹, then declined so that maximum transpiration per plant tended to saturate rather than increase linearly with further increase in leaf area. Conductance to liquid water transport exhibited parallel changes with plant size. This coordiantion of vapour phase and liquid phase conductances resulted in a balance between water loss and water transport capacity, maintaining leaf water status remarkably constant over a wide range of plant size and growing conditions. The changes in stomatal conductance were not related to plant or leaf age. Partial defoliation caused rapid increases in stomatal conductance, to re-establish the original relationship with remaining leaf area. Similarly, pruning of roots caused rapid reductions in stomatal conductance, which maintained or improved leaf water status. These results suggest that sugarcane stomata adjusted to the ratio of total hydraulic conductance to total transpiring leaf area. This could be mediated by root metabolites in the transpiration stream, whose delivery per unit leaf area would be a function of the relative magnitudes of root system size, transpiration rate and leaf area.     

高寒草甸植物群落不同根序根系特征对降雨量变化的响应

根系是草原生态系统中最重要的碳库之一,分析高寒草甸植物群落生物量和地下不同径级根系碳分配特征及根系的生长特征对降雨变化的响应,有利于了解全球变化背景下高寒草甸植物根系、土壤碳氮循环及其过程。采用微根管技术原位监测5种降雨处理下(增雨50%:1.5P、自然降雨:1.0P、减雨30%:0.7P、减雨50%:0.5P、减雨90%:0.1P)高寒草甸植物群落和根系属性(现存量、生产量、死亡量、根系寿命和周转速率)的变化特征,结果表明:(1)降雨变化对地上植物群落生物量无显著影响,但0.5P和0.1P显著增加禾本科生物量(P<0.05)。(2)总根系现存量在处理间无显著差异,但随着降雨量减少呈先增加后降低的趋势。土层间不同径级根系现存量差异显著,0-10 cm土层1.5P和0.7P1级根现存量显著增加,2级和3级根现存量显著降低;在10-20 cm土层,1.0P2级根系现存量显著高于其余处理(P<0.05)。(3)总根生产量与死亡量随降雨减少而降低,在0-10 cm土层,1.0P总根生产量和死亡量最高,0.1P显著降低了1级根生产量(P<0.05)。(4)0.1P显著增加10-20 cm土层1级根和总根寿命(P<0.05)。(5)根系周转随降雨量减少呈降低趋势,但无显著差异(P>0.05)。(6)结构方程模型进一步表明:根系现存量和生产量受土层和水分的直接影响,土层和养分对根系周转有负效应。综上所述,降雨量的变化并未显著改变地下总根系生物量,但少量降雨变化(0.7P、1.5P)会降低植物对2、3级根生物量的分配,投入更多资源以促进1级根的生长;而水分下降至轻度水分胁迫(0.1P),植物会减少地下各径级根系生物量的分配,保持低根系生物量消耗和低根系生长来维持其正常的生长状态,完成其正常的生态功能。     

根结线虫对文冠果苗木根系结构与生长及矿质养分分布特性的影响北大核心CSCD

以根结线虫侵染的文冠果一年生苗木为材料,观察分析苗木根系的形态和显微结构,植株生长发育以及主要矿质养分在苗木中的分布特性,并分析不同矿质元素与线虫侵染的关联关系,以揭示根结线虫对文冠果苗木生长发育的影响机制。结果表明:(1)受根结线虫侵染的文冠果苗木根系形成根结,依据根结发生程度分为0(对照,正常植株)、2、3、4级;与对照相比,具有根结的文冠果苗木根系解剖结构特征主要表现为皮层相对较厚,木质部排列扭曲,导管较少,射线数目较少且分布不均匀;韧皮细胞内含物明显较多;多个巨细胞及细胞空腔主要存在于韧皮部。(2)具根结的苗木株高和地径较对照均增加,且株高增幅达显著水平(P<0.05)。(3)具根结苗木根、茎、叶部位的N、P含量均较对照下降,根部降幅达显著水平(P<0.05),其中具2~4级根结的根部N含量分别较对照显著下降7.8%、16.0%和29.5%,P含量分别显著下降15.6%、7.1%和43.3%;根部Fe含量、Zn含量显著上升,2~4级根结根系中Fe含量较对照分别增加1.56倍、0.81倍和3倍,Zn含量分别增加1.11倍、1.56倍和1.78倍;具3和4级根结的苗木根系中K含量较对照显著增加(P<0.05),具2和4级根结的苗木叶片中K含量较对照分别显著下降61.5%和47.0%。(4)苗木根部、茎部N元素含量对于根结线虫侵染的响应最明显,且其含量随侵染程度的增大而降低,叶部Mg元素含量与根结线虫侵染率、K元素含量与整株苗木生物量均呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)。该研究为根结线虫对文冠果苗木养分吸收利用及运转的影响提供了一定的理论依据。     

宽窄行栽植模式下三倍体毛白杨根系分布特征及其与根系吸水的关系

采用剖面法对宽窄行栽植模式下三倍体毛白杨(triploid Populus tomentosa)的根系分布特征进行了研究;采用管式TDR系统对土壤剖面含水率变化动态进行了连续观测,并据此计算林木根系吸水速率,以探讨土壤含水率、根系分布和根系吸水分布之间的相关关系。研究结果表明:毛白杨的总平均根长密度在林带两侧和不同径向距离处非常接近(P>0.05);但在不同土层间变化很大(P<0.01),其中0-20和60-150 cm土层为根系主要分布区域,其根系所占比例共达86%;不同径阶间的根长密度差异显著(P<0.01),且其比例关系会随空间位置的改变而发生变化。不同栽植方位下,林带东侧毛白杨根系分布的浅层化程度高于西侧,且在径向240-280 cm内其0-0.5 mm的极细根显著多于西侧(P<0.05)。因此,宽窄行栽植模式下,深度和径阶是毛白杨根系分布的主要影响因子,而栽植方位会对其形态构型产生影响。毛白杨根系吸水模式受细根分布的影响,但会随土壤剖面水分有效性分布的变化而变化:当表土层水分有效性增加时,根系吸水主要集中在表土层;当表土层水分有效性降低时,深层土壤根系的吸水贡献率会逐渐增加;当土壤剖面水分条件异质性较高时,根系吸水主要集中在根系密度与水分有效性均较高的区域;当土壤剖面水分分布均匀且不存在水分胁迫时,根系吸水分布与细根分布最为一致。     

Changes in Auxin and Cytokinin Activity in Roots of Red Oak, Quercus rubra, Seedlings during Lateral Root Formation

Quercus rubra L. seedlings were partially root pruned to induce formation of new laterals. Auxins in root extract fractions that cochromatographed with IAA, and cytokinins in root xylem sap fractions that cochromatographed with zeatin and zeatin riboside, were quantified by bioassays at 24 h intervals after pruning. Auxin activity sharply increased in the first 24 h and then decreased to prepruning levels. Cytokinin activity also increased during the first 24 h. New laterals appeared 4 to 5 days after pruning. The possible sources and role of these two hormones in root initiation are discussed.     

High regeneration capacity helps tropical seeds to counter rodent predation

Rapid germination of non-dormant seeds is one adaptation plants have evolved to counter seed predation by rodents. Some rodent species have evolved behaviors that prevent or slow the seed germination process through seed embryo removal or seed pruning; however, no plant species is known to have successfully escaped embryo removal or seed pruning by rodents. Here, we report that the non-dormant seeds of Pittosporopsis kerrii Craib in tropical rain forests in China have a high regeneration capacity to counter seed pruning by rodents. We found seed pruning, instead of embryo removal, was commonly used by rodents to increase food storage time by slowing down the seed germination process, but that P. kerrii seeds have a high regeneration capacity to escape seed predation by rodents: all pruned seeds, pruned roots and embryo-removed seeds by rodents or people retain the ability to develop into seedlings. Seeds of P. kerrii also have other capacities (i.e. rapid seed decomposition and indigestible dormant taproots) to escape predation by reducing the plant’s attractiveness to rodents. The association between seed pruning behavior in rodents and high regeneration capacity of pruned seeds or roots in P. kerrii seeds are likely novel adaptation strategies adopted by seeds and rodents, respectively.     

Genotypic variation of rice in phosphorus acquisition from iron phosphate: Contributions of root morphology and phosphorus uptake kinetics

To elucidate the contributions of rice root morphology and phosphorus uptake kinetics to P uptake by rice from iron phosphate, a sand culture experiment with either sufficient P supply (control treatment, 10 mg P/l as NaH₂PO₄) or Fe-P as the only source of P (40 mg P/pot as FePO₄ × 4H₂O) and a solution culture experiment supplied with either sufficient P (10 mg P/l) or deficient P (0.5 mg P/l) were conducted. Eight rice cultivars, which differed in P uptake from Fe-P, were investigated. Plant P uptake, root morphology, and P uptake kinetics were determined. There were significant (P < 0.05) genotypic variations in both plant dry weight and P uptake per plant among eight rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars when supplied with Fe-P as the P source. The Fe-P treatment significantly (P < 0.05) decreased plant dry weight, P uptake per plant, and P concentration in plant dry matter of all cultivars in comparison with the control plants. In Fe-P treated plants, significant (P < 0.05) genotypic variation was shown in root morphology, including root length, surface area, volume, and number of lateral roots. The P uptake per plant from Fe-P by rice was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with root surface area and root volume as well as with the number of lateral roots, suggesting that the ability of rice to absorb P from Fe-P was closely related to root morphology. Low P supply in solution significantly increased the I _max (P < 0.05), but significantly decreased the K _M (P < 0.05) for P absorption by all rice cultivars. We supposed that kinetic characteristics of root P uptake could not account for the ability of rice to absorb P from Fe-P. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2007, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 260–266. The text was submitted by the authors in English.