The regulation of root growth in response to phosphorus deficiency mediated by phytohormones in a Tibetan wild barley accession

Low phosphorus (LP) causes a dramatic change of root system architecture in plants, which is possibly mediated by signaling pathways of hormones. In order to understand the regulatory mechanisms of the root development under LP, we examined the potential role of phytohormones in response to LP using three barley genotypes, differing in LP tolerance, namely 2 Tibetan wild barley genotypes XZ99 (LP tolerant) and XZ100 (LP sensitive), and a cultivated barley ZD9 (LP moderately tolerant). The results showed that LP stress caused a number of changes in root development, with XZ99 having less primary root growth inhibition, more lateral root and root hair formation than the other two genotypes. Meanwhile, LP stress also resulted in the dramatic changes in plant hormone contents, with changed extent and pattern differing among the three genotypes. The relative expression of genes responsible for indole acetic acid (IAA) and ethylene synthesis in roots also showed a significant difference among genotypes in both control and LP conditions. It can be concluded that the root system of Tibetan wild barley XZ99 adapts to phosphorus deficiency by changing the signal transduction pathway mediated by auxin, ethylene and cytokinins. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the behaviors of the key genes involved in the hormone-related response.     

不同磷水平下小麦-蚕豆间作根系形态的变化及其与内源激素的关系

采用水培方法,研究了不同磷水平下小麦-蚕豆间作体系根系形态变化及其与内源激素的相关关系。结果表明: 与单作小麦相比,在低磷(1/2P)水平下,小麦-蚕豆间作能显著增加小麦的根长,显著减少小麦根系的平均直径,显著增加根系的表面积;在常规磷(P)水平下,间作能显著降低小麦根系的平均直径,有增加小麦根长和根表面积的趋势;与单作蚕豆相比,间作能明显促进蚕豆根系的增长,同时增加蚕豆根表面积。在1/2P水平下,间作能显著提高小麦和蚕豆根系中的生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、水杨酸(SA)和茉莉酸(JA)含量;在P水平下,间作能显著提高小麦根系中的IAA、ABA和JA含量,单、间作小麦根系中的SA含量没有显著差异,间作显著增加了蚕豆根系中ABA和SA含量,单、间作蚕豆根系中的IAA和JA含量无显著差异。单作条件下,小麦和蚕豆根系中的内源激素(IAA、ABA、SA和JA)含量与其根系形态(根长、根平均直径和根表面积)无显著相关性;间作条件下,小麦和蚕豆根系中的IAA含量与根长和根表面积之间存在明显的正相关关系。由此可见,小麦-蚕豆间作能够诱导小麦和蚕豆根系IAA的增加。这种变化可能是驱动间作系统根系形态变化的重要因子。     

缺磷胁迫对小麦根细胞周期蛋白基因cyc1At表达的影响

用液培方法研究了缺磷胁迫对小麦(TriticumaestivumL.)根系生长的影响。结果表明,随着介质磷水平的提高,小麦根轴长度和植株生长素浓度均降低。在低磷条件下用生长素极性运输抑制剂三碘苯甲酸(TIBA)处理后,小麦的根轴长度明显降低,表明生长素参与了缺磷小麦根轴生长的调控。缺磷小麦根部生长素浓度的提高诱导了细胞周期蛋白基因cyclAt的表达,促进了根分生组织细胞的分裂并驱动了根的生长。     

水培条件下不同磷水平对毛竹实生苗生长发育的影响

以毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)实生苗为材料,采用Hoagland营养液水培方法,研究不同磷浓度下毛竹生长、根系发育、激素含量等的差异。结果表明:磷浓度较低时,可以促进毛竹实生苗根系长度及根系总表面积的增长。随着磷浓度的增加,实生苗生物量干重及根冠比呈先上升后下降趋势,磷浓度为1 mmol L-1时达到最大。无磷处理时,根中的IAA、ZR、GA3和ABA等4种内源激素含量随着处理时间的延长均先升高再降低;其他浓度磷处理根中IAA、ZR和GA3(0.5 mmol L-1磷除外)含量随着处理时间的延长大致呈先降低后升高的趋势,而ABA(0.5 mmol L-1磷除外)含量随着处理时间的延长变化不明显。不同浓度磷处理,叶片中IAA、GA3和ABA含量总体上呈下降趋势,ZR含量总体上呈上升趋势。以上结果表明不同浓度的磷处理对毛竹内源激素含量的变化有显著的影响,而内源激素含量变化与毛竹实生苗根系变化密切相关。     

Root-induced changes in radial oxygen loss, rhizosphere oxygen profile, and nitrification of two rice cultivars in Chinese red soil regions

Aims

To evaluate the external and internal morphological differences of roots that might influence rice root radial oxygen loss (ROL) and the corresponding rhizosphere nitrification activity, growth characteristics and nitrogen nutrition of rice.

Methods

The root ROL and rhizosphere oxygen profile were determined using a miniaturised Clark-type oxygen microelectrode system, and the rhizosphere nitrification activity was studied with a short-term nitrification activity assay.

Results

The rice biomass, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of ZH (high yield) were significantly higher than those of HS (low yield). The root biomass, number, diameter and porosity of ZH were also much greater than those of HS. The inner and surface oxygen concentrations of the root of ZH were significantly higher than those of HS. The order of paddy soil oxygen penetration depth was ZH?>?HS?>?CK, and the order of the oxygen concentrations detected in the water layer and rhizosphere soil was the same. The rhizosphere nitrification activity and nitrate concentration of ZH were significantly higher than those of HS.

Conclusions

More porous and thicker roots improved the individual root ROL, and more adventitious root numbers enhanced the entire plant ROL and correspondingly improved the rhizosphere nitrification activity, which might influence the growth and nitrogen nutrition of rice.     

Localized supply of phosphorus induces root morphological and architectural changes of rice in split and stratified soil cultures

A localized supply of phosphorus may affect root morphology and architecture, and thereby affect phosphorus uptake by rice plants. In the present study, we attempted to test this hypothesis using two rice cultivars representing upland and lowland ecotypes grown in specially designed split and stratified soil cultures with a low-phosphorus red soil. Our data indicate that a localized supply of phosphorus increased both total root length and root fineness, particularly in the high-phosphorus zone. In split culture, plants roots tended to preferentially grow on the high-phosphorus zone, with about 70–75% of the total root length allocated to the high-phosphorus compartment. The total root length on the high-phosphorus side in the split-phosphorus treatment was significantly longer than that in the homogenously high-phosphorus treatment, implying that a phosphorus-deficiency signal from the low-phosphorus side may stimulate the growth of the roots located in the high-phosphorus zone. In stratified soil culture, changes in root morphology and architecture were also observed as indicated by increased total root length, root fineness and relative root allocation in the high-phosphorus layers, again suggesting altered root morphology and preferential root proliferation in the high-phosphorus regions. The induced changes in root morphology and architecture by localized phosphorus supply may have both physiological significance and practical implications in that plants can meet the demand for phosphorus with parts of the roots reaching the high-phosphorus zone, hence localized fertilization methods such as side dressing or banded application of phosphorus fertilizers may both minimize phosphorus fixation by the soil and increase phosphorus uptake efficiency from the fertilizers.     

Defects in root development and gravity response in the aem1 mutant of rice are associated with reduced auxin efflux

The phytohormone auxin is involved in the regulation of a variety of developmental processes. In this report, we describe how the processes of lateral root and root hair formations and root gravity response in rice are controlled by auxin. We use a rice mutant aem1 (auxin efflux mutant) because the mutant is defective in these characters. The aem1 line was originally isolated as a short lateral root mutant, but we found that the mutant has a defect in auxin efflux in roots. The acropetal and basipetal indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) transports were reduced in aem1 roots compared to wild type (WT). Furthermore, gravitropic bending as well as efflux of radioactive IAA was impaired in the mutant roots. We also propose a unique distribution of endogenous IAA in aem1 roots. An immunoassay revealed a 4-fold-endogenous IAA content in the aem1 roots compared to WT, and the application of IAA to the shoot of WT seedlings mimicked the short lateral root phenotype of aem1, suggesting that the high content of IAA in aem1 roots impaired the elongation of lateral roots. However, the high level of IAA in aem1 roots contradicts the auxin requirement for root hair formation in the epidermis of mutant roots. Since the reduced development in root hairs of aem1 roots was rescued by exogenous auxin, the auxin level in the epidermis is likely to be sub-optimum in aem1 roots. This discrepancy can be solved by the ideas that IAA level is higher in the stele and lower in the epidermis of aem1 roots compared to WT and that the unique distribution of IAA in aem1 roots is induced by the defect in auxin efflux. All these results suggest that AEM1 may encode a component of auxin efflux carrier in rice and that the defects in lateral roots, root hair formation and root gravity response in aem1 mutant are due to the altered auxin efflux in roots.     

Expression of expansin genes is correlated with growth in deepwater rice.

Expansins are a family of proteins that catalyze long-term extension of isolated cell walls. Previously, two expansin proteins have been isolated from internodes of deepwater rice, and three rice expansin genes, Os-EXP1, Os-EXP2, and Os-EXP3, have been identified. We report here on the identification of a fourth rice expansin gene, Os-EXP4, and on the expression pattern of the rice expansin gene family in deepwater rice. Rice expansin genes show organ-specific differential expression in the coleoptile, root, leaf, and internode. In these organs, there is increased expression of Os-EXP1, Os-EXP3, and Os-EXP4 in developmental regions where elongation occurs. This pattern of gene expression is also correlated with acid-induced in vitro cell wall extensibility. Submergence and treatment with gibberellin, both of which promote rapid internodal elongation, induced accumulation of Os-EXP4 mRNA before the rate of growth started to increase. Our results indicate that the expression of expansin genes in deepwater rice is differentially regulated by developmental, hormonal, and environmental signals and is correlated with cell elongation.     

Bacterial biosynthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-caboxylate (ACC) deaminase,a useful trait to elongation and endophytic colonization of the roots of rice under constant flooded conditions

This study was conducted to investigate the role of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase in Pseudomonas fluorescens strain REN₁ and its ability to reduce ethylene levels produced during stress, endophytically colonize and promote the elongation of the roots of rice seedlings under gnotobiotic conditions. We isolated 80 bacteria from inside roots of rice plants grown in the farmers’ fields in Guilan, Iran. All of the isolates were characterized for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. In addition, the colonization assay of these isolates on rice seedlings was carried out to screen for competent endophytes. The best bacterial isolate, based on ACC deaminase production, was identified and used for further study. 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the endophyte was closely related to Pseudomonas fluorescens. The results of this study showed ACC deaminase containing P. fluorescens REN1 increased in vitro root elongation and endophytically colonized the root of rice seedlings significantly, as compared to control under constant flooded conditions. The trait of low amount of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production (<15 μg mL⁻¹) and the high production of ACC deaminase by bacteria may be main factors in colonizing rice seedling roots compared to other PGP traits (siderophore production and phosphate solubilization) in this study. Endophytic IAA and ACC deaminase-producing bacteria may be preferential selections by rice seedlings. Therefore, it may be suggested that the utilization of ACC as a nutrient gives the isolates advantages in more endophytic colonization and increase of root length of rice seedlings.     

Exogenous auxin effects on growth and phenotype of normal and hairy roots of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi

Pueraria lobata hairy roots have faster elongationand more branches than normal roots. The responses of hairy roots and normalroots to treatment with three auxins, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA),indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were different.In normal roots, all three auxins strongly stimulated lateral root formation atall tested concentrations. Responses to IAA and IBA in primary root growth andlateral root elongation were similar and depended on concentration; promotionat0.1 M, no effect at 1.0 M, and inhibition at2.5 M. In hairy roots, lateral root formation varied inresponseto the different auxins, i.e. depressed by NAA, unaffected by IAA, and promotedby IBA. Primary root growth was slightly inhibited by IBA and was unaffected byIAA. However, mean lateral root length was reduced in response to IAA and IBA.Only NAA exerted strong inhibition on primary and lateral root elongation inboth root types. The similar free IAA and conjugated IAA content but quitedifferent basal ethylene production and biosynthesis in hairy and normal rootssuggested different mechanisms of response to exogenous auxins in the two roottypes.     

粪产碱菌（Alcaligenes faecalis）对稻根氧化还原特性及水稻多元酚和内根际激素水平的影响

联合固氮粪产碱菌结合于水稻根表时能增强水稻根部还原力和稻根超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）活性。实验室和田间试验证明粪产碱菌能提高水稻幼苗对高、低温不良环境的抗逆性。经浸种处理的水稻幼苗植株内多元酚含量增加了１２．５％。粪产以菌对接种水稻多元酚抽提物有强烈的趋化性,而该抽提物对粪产碱菌的固氮活性有明显的刺激作用。多元酚抽提物经双向纸层析和薄层层析表明接种诱导了至少一个特征组分含量提高。采用粪产减菌野生型Ａ１５０１（ｎｉｆ＋）和固氮缺陷型Ａ１５０６（Ｎｉｆ－）浸种能改变宿主水稻内源激素水平,提高内根际的ＩＡＡ和Ｚ的含量,促进植株及根系的生长发育,使其侧根和根毛数目明显增多。在根际联合体系形成过程中,多元酚或激素可能充当植物与细菌间相互作用的一类特异信号分子。     

根域限制对葡萄根中IAA含量及其代谢相关基因表达的影响

以1年生"玫瑰香"葡萄为试验材料,进行根域限制栽培处理,以传统地栽为对照,研究根域限制对葡萄根系构型、细胞结构、IAA含量及其代谢和根系生长发育相关基因表达丰度的影响,以探讨根域限制栽培影响葡萄根系构型变化的内在机制.结果表明:(1)根域限制处理后,葡萄根系构型发生显著变化,主要表现在根尖处出现大量集群根、不定根持续发...     

甘蔗幼苗对难溶性磷的吸收及其根系对低磷胁迫的响应

为明确甘蔗适应低磷胁迫的生理生化机制,挖掘甘蔗对磷素的利用潜力,揭示甘蔗对低磷胁迫适应的可能机制,该研究以ROC22和ROC10两个甘蔗品种为材料,采用水培和土培的方法研究了甘蔗幼苗对难溶性磷的吸收及其在低磷胁迫下根构型和根系的生理反应。结果表明:(1)培养在以难溶性磷(Ca-P和Al-P)为磷源的培养液中的甘蔗的叶片数、地上部干重、生物量较缺磷(-P)处理显著增加,与对照(+P)的相当,甘蔗总磷积累量也显著提高,达到对照(+P)处理磷积累量的30%～77%。(2)在低磷条件下,甘蔗幼苗的根系有向土壤深层分布的趋势,根的总体积增大、最长根长变长、浅根系分布增多。(3)甘蔗幼苗在低磷环境下,根际环境明显酸化,且根系分泌物能溶解难溶性的铝磷,植株体内酸性磷酸酶的活性也明显增强。以上表明甘蔗幼苗有较强的吸收利用难溶性磷的能力,而低磷条件下根系数量增加、主根的向地性、浅根系分布增多、根际酸化以及植株体内酸性磷酸酶活性的增强可能是甘蔗幼苗适应缺磷环境的重要机制。     

低钾胁迫对不同基因型水稻苗期根系生长和内源激素含量的影响

以2个耐低钾基因型水稻N18、N19和2个低钾敏感基因型水稻N27、N28为材料,采用溶液培养试验,研究低钾胁迫对其苗期根系生长和内源激素含量的影响。结果表明,低钾胁迫下,水稻根长、地上部干重和根干重均降低,但N18和N19显著高于N27和N28。低钾胁迫使4个基因型水稻的根冠比增大,而各基因型之间差异不显著。低钾胁迫下,水稻根中IAA、GA₁和ZR含量均减少,ABA含量增加;N18、N19根中IAA、GA₁和ZR含量都高于N27、N28。此外,低钾胁迫使水稻根中IAA/ABA、ZR/ABA、GA₁/ABA值降低,但N18、N19的上述比值高于N27、N28。     

Characterization of fructose-bisphosphate aldolase regulated by gibberellin in roots of rice seedling

Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase is a glycolytic enzyme whose activity increases in rice roots treated with gibberellin (GA). To investigate the relationship between aldolase and root growth, GA-induced root aldolase was characterized. GA₃ promoted an increase in aldolase accumulation when 0.1 M GA₃ was added exogenously to rice roots. Aldolase accumulated abundantly in roots, especially in the apical region. To examine the effect of aldolase function on root growth, transgenic rice plants expressing antisense aldolase were constructed. Root growth of aldolase-antisense transgenic rice was repressed compared with that of the vector control transgenic rice. Although aldolase activity increased by 25% in vector control rice roots treated with 0.1 M GA₃, FBPA activity increased very little by 0.1 M GA₃ treatment in the root of aldolase-antisense transgenic rice. Furthermore, aldolase co-immunoprecipitated with antibodies against vacuolar H⁺-ATPase in rice roots. In the root of OsCDPK13-antisense transgenic rice, aldolase did not accumulate even after treatment with GA₃. These results suggest that the activation of glycolytic pathway function accelerates root growth and that GA₃-induced root aldolase may be modulated through OsCDPK13. Aldolase physically associates with vacuolar H-ATPase in roots and may regulate the vacuolar H-ATPase mediated control of cell elongation that determines root length.     

Effects of Auxin at Different Concentrations on the Growth,Root Morphology and Cadmium Uptake of Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.)

Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is an important regulator that plays a crucial role in plant growth and responses to abiotic stresses. In the present study, a sand cultivation experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of IAA at different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2.5 mmol/L) on maize growth, root morphology, mineral elements (Ca, Mg) and Cd uptake under 20 mg/kg Cd stress. The results showed that 0.01 mmol/L is the optimal IAA concentration for enhancing the Cd tolerance of maize. Compared with the control treatment, 0.01 mmol/L IAA promoted maize growth, with significant increases in the height, shoot and root biomass by 34.6%, 25.0% and 16.3%; altered the root morphology, with increases in root length, root tip number, and root tip density by 8.9%, 31.4% and 20.7%, respectively; and enhanced the mineral element uptake of maize, resulting in signifi- cant increases in the Ca content in shoots and roots by 640.6% and 1036.4% and in the Mg content in shoots by 205.8%, respectively. In addition, 0.01 mmol/L IAA decreased the Cd content and uptake in the shoots by 51.9% and 39.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the Cd content and uptake exhibited a significant negative correlation with Ca content in roots and a significantly positive correlation with root morphology, and the Cd content in shoots was significantly and negatively correlated with root tip number. Thus, 0.01 mmol/L IAA was effective in enhancing the Cd tolerance and plant growth of maize.