Early season root production and zoospore infection of cultivars of flue-cured tobacco that differ in level of partial resistance to Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae

Root production of four cultivars of flue-cured tobacco was quantified in the field, greenhouse and phytotron. The cultivars ranged in level of partial resistance to the black shank pathogen, Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae, from susceptible to highly resistant. In the field, root-observation plates were installed approximately 10 cm from plants, and in greenhouse and phytotron studies, plants were grown in 4-liter containers with one sloping transparent side for root observation. Root growth was determined weekly for four weeks after transplanting in the field and daily up to 14 days after transplanting in the greenhouse and phytotron. Root tracings were made on acetate sheets placed against the sloping transparent side of the containers or against the transparent observation plates in the field following removal of soil from the outside of the observation plate. Root growth was quantified by retracing the root pattern on the acetate sheets over a digitizing tablet attached to a personal computer. Numbers of roots, root length, and mean and maximum rate of root growth were determined. Cultivars Hicks (susceptible) and K-326 (low level of resistance) had significantly larger root systems than moderately resistant G-28 or highly resistant NC 82. Differences in total root length were due to increased branching that resulted in development of significantly greater numbers of roots in Hicks and K-326. For example, between day 21 and 28, Hicks produced more than three times the number of new roots as NC 82 in the field. The mean rate of root extension observed (2.17 mm hr^–1) was similar in all four cultivars. Infection efficiency on the different cultivars was determined in the field by inoculating roots with zoospores of P. p. nicotianae. Lesions were visible as water soaked areas within 24 hr of inoculation. At 48 hr after inoculation, percentages of inoculations that resulted in lesion formation were 57, 46, 23, and 16% for Hicks, K-326, G-28 and NC 82, respectively. The possible role of rooting intensity as a mechanism of avoidance to P. p. nicotianae in tobacco cultivars is discussed.     

短期氮磷配施对刨花楠细根形态及其土壤微生物的影响

以1年生刨花楠幼苗为研究对象,通过不同的氮磷配施实验,采用扫描根系法和磷脂脂肪酸法,研究不同氮磷配施处理对刨花楠幼苗1—4级细根根序形态特征及其土壤微生物的影响。结果表明:(1)4种氮磷配施处理均显著增加了刨花楠1—2级根的比根长和比根面积(P0.05),降低了3—4级根的比根面积(P0.05);(2)通过不同梯度的氮磷配施,1—2级细根的根组织密度呈下降态势,而3—4级根的组织密度则显著增加(P0.05),体现低级根与高级根之间的权衡;(3)4种氮磷配施处理都显著降低刨花楠1—4级细根的平均直径(P0.05);(4)随着氮磷比的增加,微生物总量及细菌、真菌与放线菌数量等均呈现先增加后降低的趋势,并均在N∶P为10∶1时达到最大;(5)氮磷配施条件下,细菌、真菌等与1—2级细根的比根长和比根面积呈显著正相关,而与4级根的比根长和比根面积则呈显著负相关,革兰氏阳性菌、真菌等与3—4级根的组织密度存在显著正相关,而与1—2级根的组织密度无显著相关性。各级根序的平均直径均与土壤微生物无显著相关性。研究结果表明,短期氮磷配施以N∶P为10∶1的效果最好,其最有利于提高刨花楠苗木细根的养分吸收能力与养分吸收效率,苗木通过调整细根形态来适应氮沉降,其地下生物群落如土壤微生物及其与细根的关系也发生变化,进而影响地下生态系统碳氮循环和养分流动。     

The effect of the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida on in vitro root growth of potato genotypes, differing in tolerance

Roots of eighteen potato genotypes, differing in tolerance of G. pallida, were grown from tuberpieces on agar in Petri dishes. Juveniles of G. pallida were inoculated directly onto root tips. Root length was measured at various times after inoculation. Inoculation reduced root growth within one day. At later stages, genotypes differed strongly in growth of inoculated roots. Between four and seven days after inoculation, growth of inoculated roots was not significantly correlated with growth of untreated roots, and was only poorly correlated with tolerance assessed in the greenhouse or in the field. However, multiple regression analysis revealed that the tolerance of the tested genotypes was associated with both the rate at which they induced hatching and the growth of roots after inoculation. The combination of these two variables accounted for high percentages explained variance.     

黄土区不同林龄刺槐人工林细根的衰老生理特征

以黄土高原刺槐人工林为研究对象,采用手工挖掘法,配合完整土块法获取根系样品,分析幼龄(11a),中龄(22a),成熟(34a)刺槐人工林细根活力、可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量和细胞膜透性等细根衰老生理指标的差异,为深入了解刺槐细根的生长和衰老机制提供参考。结果表明:(1)在生长季节,刺槐细根活力表现为,幼龄林成熟林中龄林,可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量随着林龄增大而增加,而细胞膜透性则随林龄的增加而减小。(2)随着根序增加,根活力和可溶性糖含量增加,而可溶性蛋白含量和细胞膜透性则呈波动式降低。这表明,在生长季节幼龄林细根较中龄林和成熟林更容易出现衰老,刺槐不同根序衰老具有顺序性,衰老先从1级根开始,然后是2级根和3级根。     

遮荫对水曲柳幼苗细根衰老的影响

细根周转对森林生态系统碳地下分配和养分循环具有重要影响,而衰老是细根周转过程中最重要的阶段。根据“源-汇”理论,细根衰老受碳向细根分配的影响。为此,该研究通过控制水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)苗木向根系的碳分配的遮荫处理试验,采用树木生理分析技术,重点研究了在光合产物供应停止情况下水曲柳幼苗根系的生理变化(即根尖、1级根到3级根的细胞活力、可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量和膜透性的变化)。目的是从生理水平上证实:1)碳分配对细根衰老产生怎样的影响;2)细根衰老的顺序是否与分支顺序相反。实验结果表明,遮荫处理使细根活力、可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量显著降低和膜透性增大,导致细根出现明显衰老。从根系顶端向基部随着根序增加,细胞活力、可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白含量提高,膜透性降低,从生理水平上表明细根衰老具有逐渐变化的顺序性,并且这种顺序性与根发育的顺序性相反。     

Control of root growth: effects of carbohydrates on the extension, branching and rate of respiration of different fractions of wheat roots

Rates of extension, numbers of laterals and rates of respiration were measured in different fractions of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Alexandria) roots following changes in carbohydrate supply. The supply of carbohydrate was varied by selective pruning and exogenously fed sugars. Pruning shoots to a single leaf (leaf-pruning) reduced the rate of O₂ uptake by intact roots. Rates were not stimulated by shortterm feeding of sucrose (25 m M ), but were stimulated by the uncoupler p -trifluoro-methoxy(carbonylcyanide)phenylhydrazone (FCCP). Feeding glucose to roots of leaf-pruned and non-pruned plants for 16–24 h increased the rate of O₂ uptake. It is concluded that respiration is under fine control by adenylates and coarse control by carbohydrate supply, with carbohydrates regulating directly the rate of some energy consuming process(es). These energy consuming processes are located in growing tissue fractions. Feeding glucose to leaf-pruned and non-pruned plants increased rates of O₂ uptake in seminal root tips, the zone of developing lateral primordia and mature root sections with elongating laterals, but had no effect on mature sections from which the laterals had been excised. Leaf-pruning reduced the extension rate of seminal axes and first-order laterals when measured over 24 h. Feeding glucose to roots from the time of pruning increased the rate, but did not fully restore it to control values. Pruning roots to a single seminal axis (root-pruning) and feeding glucose to non-pruned plants had no effect on the extension rate of the seminal axis or its laterals over this time period, although rates were increased by root-pruning when measured over 3 days. The number of lateral root primordia was reduced by leaf-pruning and increased by root-pruning and feeding glucose. The results are discussed in terms of the role of carbohydrates in the control of root growth and branching.     

Hardening of root cell walls: a growth inhibitory response to salinity stress

Primary roots of intact maize plants (Zea mays L.) grown for several days in nutrient solutions containing 100 mol m⁻³ NaCl and additional calcium, had relatively inhibited rates of elongation. Possible physical restraints underlying this salt induced inhibition were investigated. The inhibition did not involve reductions in osmotic potential gradients and turgor in the tip tissues responsible for root elongation growth. The apparent yield threshold pressure, which is related to capacity of cell walls to undergo loosening by stress relaxation, was estimated psychrometrically in excised root tips. Salinity increased yield threshold values. Comparative root extensibility values were obtained for intact plants by determining the initial (1 min) increase in root elongation rate induced by an 0.1 MPa osmotic jump. Comparative extensibility was significantly reduced in the salinized root tips. Salinity did not reduce capacities for water efflux and associated elastic contraction in root tip tissues of intact plants exposed to hypertonic mannitol. We conclude that cell wall hardening in the elongating root tips is an important component of root growth inhibition induced by long-term salinization.     

Cryopreservation of Hyoscyamus niger adventitious roots by vitrification

An auxin-independent adventitious root culture of Hyoscyamus niger was established, and the roots were successfully cryopreserved with a high regeneration rate of 93.3 percnt; by vitrification method. The root tips were cultured for 12 to 14 days in phytohormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium, and were excised and precultured on Woody Plant (WP) solid medium supplemented with 0.3 mol/L sucrose at 25 °C in the dark. After 1 day, they were treated with MS-based loading solution for 10 min, followed by soaking in MS-based PVS2 for 10 min at 0 °C. The treated root tips were immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). For recovery, the root tips were thawed rapidly at 40 °C and washed with MS medium containing 1 mol/L sucrose prior to plating onto WP solid medium. The regenerated roots were evaluated by their growth and tropane alkaloid production. The growth and alkaloid content of regenerated roots analyzed using HPLC were found to be almost the same as those of non-treated roots.     

In Situ western blot: A novel strategy to study gene expression in transgenic plant roots

A novel strategy based on protein western blotting and “microcosm” principles has been developed to study gene expression in transgenic plant roots. Primary polyclonal antibodies, raised against streptavidin protein purified fromStreptomyces avidinii, were used to localize streptavidin protein expressed in a transgenic tobacco seedling root systemin situ. Streptavidin gene expression was detected in tobacco seedling roots, especially on the root tips. This strategy can be used as a model to study transgenic plant root system expressionin situ.     

Residual phosphorus and long-term management strategies for an Ultisol

Due to their extensive growth potential, transgenic root systems arising from inoculation withAgrobacterium rhizogenes became popular in the last decade as model systems in domains as diverse as production of secondary metabolites, interactions with pathogens and symbionts, examination of gene importance in control of root development or in regulation of gene expression in roots. Wild-type bacterial strains have also been considered as useful tools to stimulate rooting on recalcitrant cuttings or microcuttings as they cause abundant root initiation at the site of inoculation.Root initiation and the in vitro growth characteristics of transformed roots result from the transfer of genes located on the root-inducing plasmid (Ri) to plant cells and their expression therein. Two sets of pRi genes are involved in the root induction process: therol (rootloci) genes located in the TL region and theaux genes of the TR region. Some of these genes being able to interact, the system appears also as a new tool to study the role of auxin in the process of root initiation. The distinctive phenotype of the transformed roots which are capable of hormone autonomous growth seems to be controlled mainly by therol genes. Theserol genes, i.e. the geneticloci rol A, rol B, rol C androl D correspond to open reading frames ORFs 10, 11, 12 and 15. In vitro experiments determined the functions of the Rol B and Rol C proteins but the functions of Rol A and Rol D are still unknown. Altered metabolism of developmental regulators or modified sensitivity to auxin have been suspected to mediate root induction and morphological abnormalities of transformed roots and plants.The target cells for transformation and the cells which are competent for root initiation will be characterized as well as the subsequent development of transgenic roots provided with various constructs from the whole T-DNA to singlerol genes. Results dealing with auxin contents in relation with root growth kinetics, phenotype and structure, will also be presented and discussed with the potential use of therol genes to control root biomass. F J de Bruijn Section editor     

Growth,graviresponsiveness and abscisic-acid content of Zea mays seedlings treated with Fluridone

Ten-d-old seedlings of Zea mays L. cv. Tx 5855 treated with 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-(3-[trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-4-(1H)-pyridinone (Fluridone) were analyzed for abscisic acid (ABA) content using high-performance liquid chromatography with an analysis sensitivity of 2.5 ng ABA g^-1 fresh weight (FW). Seedlings were divided into three portions: leaves, detipped roots, and root tips (terminal 1.5 mm). Control plants (water treatment only; no Fluridone) were characterized by the following amounts of ABA: leaves, 0.114±0.024 (standard deviation) g ABA g^-1 FW; detipped roots, 0.260±0.039±g ABA g^-1 FW; root tips, no ABA detected. We did not detect any ABA in tissues of Fluridone-treated plants. Primary roots of treated and untreated seedlings were strongly graviresponsive, with no significant differences between the curvatures or the growth rates of primary roots of Fluridone-treated and control seedlings. These results indicate that 1) Fluridone completely inhibits ABA synthesis, and 2) ABA is not necessary for positive gravitropism by primary roots of Zea mays.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - Fluridone 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-(3-[trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-4-(1H)-pyridinone - FW fresh weight - SD standard deviation     

Phytophthora cryptogea root rot of tomato in rockwool nutrient culture:

The effect of root temperature on growth and yield of rockwool-grown tomato plants infected with Phytophthora cryptogea was investigated. Measurements of shoot and root growth were taken at high (25^oC) and low (15^oC) root temperatures during the generative phase of growth. The growth of roots of healthy and P. cryptogea-infected tomato plants in rockwool blocks was higher in plants grown with roots at 25^oC than at 15^oC after 60 days and a similar effect was found in slabs after 98 days. Under sub-optimal conditions for growth the disease became severe when root temperatures were low. Growth of roots was greatest when roots were maintained at a high temperature in combination with an ambient air temperature of c. 15^oC and the response was greater in cv. Counter than cvs Calypso and Marathon. Water-soluble carbohydrates of roots were higher in those produced in blocks than slabs and were reduced by infection compared to healthy plants with roots at 15^oC and 25^oC. Reduced transpiration rates were found 17 days after inoculation in symptomless plants grown at a root temperature of 25^oC. Infection, regardless of the temperature of the roots or cultivar, led to reduced stem growth. The plants grown at 25^oC were taller than those with a root temperature of 15^oC. After 9 wk of harvest, the cumulative fruit yields in infected cvs Counter and Calypso grown at 25^oC were comparable to that in healthy plants grown at either temperature and cumulative fruit numbers followed a similar pattern. High root temperatures led to delayed fruit ripening between weeks 3–10 and a larger number of unripe fruit. The weight of unripe fruit from infected plants grown at 25^oC at the terminal harvest was higher than from healthy plants with roots maintained at 15^oC.     

Cluster Roots: A Curiosity in Context

Cluster roots are an adaptation for nutrient acquisition from nutrient-poor soils. They develop on root systems of a range of species belonging to a number of different families (e.g., Proteaceae, Casuarinaceae, Fabaceae and Myricaceae) and are also found on root systems of some crop species (e.g., albus, Macadamia integrifoliaandCucurbita pepo). Their morphology is variable but typically, large numbers of determinate branch roots develop over very short distances of main root axes. Root clusters are ephemeral, and continually replaced by extension of the main root axes. Carboxylates are released from cluster roots at very fast rates for only a few days during a brief developmental window termed an ‘exudative burst’. Most of the studies of cluster-root metabolism have been carried out using the crop plant L. albus, but results on native plants have provided important additional information on carbon metabolism and exudate composition. Cluster-root forming species are generally non-mycorrhizal, and rely upon their specialised roots for the acquisition of phosphorus and other scarcely available nutrients. Phosphorus is a key plant nutrient for altering cluster-root formation, but their formation is also influenced by N and Fe. The initiation and growth of cluster roots is enhanced when plants are grown at a very low phosphate supply (viz. ≤1 μM P), and cluster-root suppression occurs at relatively higher P supplies. An important feature of some Proteaceae is storage of phosphorus in stem tissues which is associated with the seasonality of cluster-root development and P uptake (winter) and shoot growth (summer), and also maintains low leaf [P]. Some species of Proteaceae develop symptoms of P toxicity at relatively low external P supply. Our findings with Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae) indicate that P-toxicity symptoms result after the capacity of tissues to store P is exceeded. P accumulation in H. prostrata is due to its strongly decreased capacity to down-regulate P uptake when the external P supply is supra-optimal. The present review investigates cluster-root functioning in (1) L.albus (white lupin), the model crop plant for cluster-root studies, and (2) native Proteaceae that have evolved in phosphate-impoverished environments.     

Impact of the exodermis on infection of roots byFusarium culmorum

Patterns of infection withFusarium culmorum (W G Smith) Saccardo were observed in seedling roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L). Apical regions of the main roots were not infected. Since penetration into the root occurred several days after inoculation and the roots were growing during the experiment, these regions had apparently not been in existence long enough to be infected. In older regions of barley, wheat and asparagus, hyphae entered through the tips of lateral roots. In barley and wheat, which had not developed any suberin lamellae in their subepidermal layer, infection occurred randomly over the remainder of the root. In maize, the fungus penetrated the epidermis at many sites but did not breach the exodermis in which all cells possessed both Casparian bands and suberin lamellae. Maize roots, therefore, sustained only minimal infections. In asparagus, the fungus grew through the short (passage) cells but never the long cells of the exodermis. In doing so, it penetrated cells possessing Casparian bands but lacking suberin lamellae. The results support the hypothesis that suberin lamellae provide effective barriers to the growth ofF. culmorum hyphae.     

Changes in pathogenesis-related proteins in pepper plants with regard to biological control of phytophthora blight with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus illinoisensis</Emphasis>

To evaluate the biocontrol effectiveness of chitinase-producing bacterium, Paenibacillus illinoisensis strain KJA-424 against pathogenic strain of Phytophthora capsici in pepper plants, growth response and kinetics of pathogen related (PR) proteins were estimated after inoculation with P. capsici (P), and with a combination of P. capsici and strain KJA-424 cell culture (P+A). Fresh weight and chlorophyll content in shoots at P+A-treated plants significantly increased by 23.4 and 34.2%, respectively after 7days of inoculation, compared to P-treated plants. Root mortality in P+A-treated plants was significantly reduced compared to P-treated plants. Seven days after inoculation, the activities of -1,3-glucanase, cellulase and chitinase in P-treated roots had decreased by 54.8, 36.5 and 52.8%, respectively, compared to P+A-treated roots, while those in P-treated leaves increased by 22.8, 36.3 and 23.8%, respectively, compared to those in P+A-treated leaves. The activities of -1,3-glucanase, cellulase and chitinase in roots are negatively correlated with root mortality. All these results suggest that the inoculation of an antagonist, P. illinoisensis alleviates root mortality, reduction of PR proteins in roots, and activates of PR proteins in leaves infected by P. capsici.     

双色蜡蘑对黑松幼苗生长量及其根系形态的影响

为研究双色蜡蘑(Laccaria bicolor)对黑松(Pinus thunbergii)幼苗生长及其根系形态的影响,在营养杯培育条件下,用双色蜡蘑液体菌剂对黑松幼苗进行接种处理,接种第15、30、60、90、120天时取样,比较接种和未接种黑松幼苗的生物量、根系形态及根系分形维数的差异。结果表明:双色蜡蘑在黑松幼苗地上植株、地下根系的生长及其生物量的积累方面都表现出明显的促进作用。接种双色蜡蘑也显著改善了根系总长度、分支数、表面积、体积等参数和根系分形维数,并对地下根系生长的促进作用时间早于地上部分,且效应显著高于地上部分。接种双色蜡蘑第15~30天时对地上部分基本无影响,但对根系促进作用明显,而地上部分在第60天时开始表现出显著的生长效应。研究发现,双色蜡蘑能够成功定殖于黑松根部,促进黑松幼苗生长及其生物量的积累,同时显著促进根系总长度、分支数、表面积和体积增加,并使根系分形维数增大,表现出明显的促生作用,且对根系发育的显著促进作用早于地上部分。     

Apical diameter and branching density affect lateral root elongation rates in banana

Thick roots elongate faster than thinner ones. However, within one species, the growth achieved by roots of a given diameter can be very variable, and root diameter can only be considered as a determinant of root potential elongation rate. As root elongation is highly correlated to carbon availability, it can be hypothesized that local competition for resources, expressed as the number of lateral roots per unit length (i.e. the branching density), modulates root elongation. Using novel methods in field conditions, we have estimated apical diameters, elongation rates and growth durations of nearly 3500 banana lateral roots, in a field experiment with high radiations and a shaded glasshouse experiment with low radiations. Apical diameters and branching densities were lower in the experiment with low radiation, but elongation rates were higher. In both experiments, mean elongation rates of first-order laterals and thick second-order laterals were negatively correlated with bearing root branching densities. It is hypothesized that, even though apical diameters were lower, low branching densities in the shaded glasshouse allowed enhanced lateral root elongation. In both experiments, second-order laterals elongated more slowly than first-order laterals of similar diameter. A specific effect of root order, independent of branching density and apical diameter, contributed to explain these slow second-order lateral elongation rates. Most lateral roots elongated between 9 and 21 days and growth duration was mainly correlated with root diameter.     

外生菌根菌对油松幼苗抗氧化酶活性及根系构型的影响

研究盆栽条件下,接种褐环乳牛肝菌(Suillus luteus)和红汁乳菇(Lactarius hatsudake)对油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)苗木生长,抗氧化酶活性和根系构型的影响。结果表明:(1)褐环乳牛肝菌和红汁乳菇均可与油松合成外生菌根,并显著提高苗木的苗高、地径、鲜重和干重。(2)接种褐环乳牛肝菌苗木针叶抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT、POD)活性分别比接种红汁乳菇苗木高14.77%、20.77%、34.68%;接种褐环乳牛肝菌苗木根系抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT、POD)活性分别比接种红汁乳菇苗木高8.54%,4.34%,33.31%;接种处理苗木抗氧化酶活性均显著高于不接种处理。接种处理苗木根长、表面积、体积、平均直径、根尖数、分叉数显著高于不接种处理;接种处理间苗木只有根尖数存在显著差异;接种褐环乳牛肝菌的油松根系分支成80°—90°的一级侧根数占23.81%,显著多于接种红汁乳菇和对照苗木。研究表明,接种褐环乳牛肝菌和红汁乳菇均能促进油松苗木生长,提高油松体内抗氧化酶活性,扩大苗木根系的吸收范围,其中褐环乳牛肝菌各方面的促进效果要优于红汁乳菇。     

Azospirillum sp. Promotes Root Hair Development in Tomato Plants through a Mechanism that Involves Ethylene

Tomato seeds were inoculated with the plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria Azospirillum brasilense FT326, and changes in parameters associated with plant growth were evaluated 15 days after inoculation. Azospirilla were localized on roots and within xylematic tissue. An increase in shoot and root fresh weight, main root hair length, and root surface indicated that inoculation with A. brasilense FT 326 resulted in plant growth improvement. The levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and ethylene, two of the phytohormones related to plant growth, were higher in inoculated plants. Exogenously supplied ethylene mimicked the effect of inoculation, and the addition of an inhibitor of its synthesis or of its physiological activity completely blocked A. brasilense growth promotion. Based on our results, we propose that the process of growth promotion triggered by A. brasilense inoculation involves a signaling pathway that has ethylene as a central, positive regulator.     

干旱条件下接种AM真菌对小马鞍羊蹄甲幼苗根系的影响

为了探讨岷江干旱河谷丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对寄主植物幼苗根系的影响,通过接种购买的AMF摩西球囊霉菌(Funneliformis mosseae)到优势乡土灌木小马鞍羊蹄甲(Bauhinia faberi var.microphylla)幼苗,在重度、中度和轻度干旱条件下培养3个月,研究不同干旱条件下AMF对幼苗根系形态特征、结构特征、功能性状的影响。方差分析结果表明:(1)3种干旱胁迫条件下,接菌均显著增加了幼苗的根总长、根表面积、根分枝数、根尖数(P0.001),在中度胁迫和轻度胁迫下,接菌显著促进根鲜重、根体积的增加(P0.001),轻度胁迫条件下接菌幼苗的根鲜重、根总长、根表面积、根体积、根尖数最高并显著高于其它处理,但接菌与未接菌的根平均直径之间没有显著差异;(2)接菌幼苗根系趋向于叉状分支结构,在重度胁迫时,叉状分支趋势更显著(P0.001);(3)接菌幼苗的根比例都显著小于未接菌的,但幼苗比根长不存在显著差异。相关分析结果表明:菌根侵染率与根鲜重、根总长、根表面积、根体积、根分枝数、根尖数呈极显著正相关(P0.001),与拓扑指数、根比例呈极显著负相关(P0.001)。研究表明,在干旱条件下,AMF虽然没有提高生长初期的根系的吸收效率,但接种AMF显著影响幼苗根系形态特征和结构特征,更利于植物适应干旱环境,并且AMF对幼苗根系的促生作用随着干旱胁迫程度减轻而提高。