Morphological Changes in Wheat Seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) following Root Anaerobiosis and Partial Pruning of the Root System

Morphological changes of roots and shoots following oxygen deficiencyin the root medium and after partial pruning of the root systemwere analyzed to obtain easily measurable parameters of theadaptive capacity of the root system against stress. Wheat seedlings(Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hatri) were cultivated on nutrientsolution which was either aerated or flushed with nitrogen,or were cultivated on flooded sand. On the third day after grainswelling in two pruning variants, roots 1–3 or 4–8were excised. Root anaerobiosis retarded longitudinal growth and biomass accumulationof the shoot and the seminal roots, and stimulated the developmentof adventitious roots. Partial removal caused a general compensativegrowth of the remaining roots under aerobic conditions. Root pruning plus anaerobiosis exceeded the compensatory capacityof the seedlings and thus caused a strong delay of elongationand biomass accumulation of both roots and shoots, includingdecrease of the root/shoot ratio. Roots became independent ofendosperm reserves on the seventh day under aerobic conditionsthough caryopses were not completely exhausted at this time.Additionally, oxygen deficiency delayed the reserve exhaustionprocess. Triticum aestivum L. cv Hatri, wheat, roots, growth analysis, morphology, anaerobiosis, strees, root pruning, compensatory capacity, caryopsis     

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.     

Effects of Mechanical Impedance on Root Growth in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): III. OBSERVATIONS ON THE MECHANISM OF RESPONSE

The effects of mechanical stress on whole root systems was investigatedusing beds of solid glass spheres (ballotini) continuously suppliedwith aerated nutrient solution. As noted in earlier experiments,increased mechanical impedance slowed root extension and alteredcell size and number; it also caused distortion of the rootapex, stimulated growth of lateral shoot meristems, and inducedthe formation of nodal roots. The development of lateral branchroots was enhanced and where root axes curved around ballotinilateral roots formed preferentially on the outer (convex) sidewhereas root hairs developed on the inner (concave) side. After roots were relieved from mechanical stress at least 3d elapsed before the rate of extension growth equalled thatof unimpeded plants. When intact Zea mays root apices first made contact with ballotinitheir elongation was slowed by 70% for about 10 min; where rootcaps were removed before the roots made contact, no such effectswere seen. We discuss the general nature of the mechanism of response tomechanical stress.     

Effects of Tiller Separation and Root Pruning on the Growth of Lolium perenne L.

Experiments have been carried out to assess the role of inter-tillerinteractions within plants of Lolium perenne L. cv. S24 as factorswhich could play a part in determining the growth-rate of thewhole plant. In order to do this, the effect of tiller separationon plant growth was studied as well as the influence of theremoval of different parts of the root and shoot system. Wheneverplants were supplied with nutrients by means of culture solutions,separation of tillers brought about a marked increase in theamount of dry matter produced. Root pruning and in particularthe removal of root apices brought about similar increases ingrowth. Separation of tillers in soil-grown plants did not bringabout increased growth. These results are interpreted as indicatingthat separation of tillers or the initial removal of root apicesin plants supplied with nutrients by means of culture solution,promotes root branching which brings about an increased netassimilation rate arising from an increase supply of a growth-promotingsubstance, probably a cytokinin, from the root apices. The resultsare not taken as indicative of an intertiller interaction whichrestricts the growth of intact plants.     

Formation of Protocorm-like Bodies from Root Apices of Catasetum pileatum (Orchidaceae) Cultivated in Vitro. I. Morphological Aspects

Structural changes in root apices of Catasetum pileatum Reichb.f. cultured in vitro, result in the formation of protocorm-likebodies (PLBs). These PLBs, in turn, give rise to seedlings.After 30 d incubation, the positions occupied by xylem and phloemin the vascular tissue, in transverse sections of the upperportions of PLBs, were typical of stem tissue. The vasculatureof the central part of the PLBs resembled the transition regionbetween shoot and root of whole plants, while in the remainingpart of the PLBs, the vascular arrangement was similar to thatfound in roots. Catasetum pileatum, orchid, root apex, protocorm-like body     

Competition within the root system of rubber seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis) studied by root pruning and blockage

The effects of taproot blocking and pruning on the developmentof the early secondary roots (ESR) of rubber seedlings werestudied in root observation boxes under controlled conditions.During shoot flush, both the mean elongation rate and mean apicaldiameter of the ESR decreased regardless of treatments. Thereafter,the elongation rate of the ESR increased greatly when the taprootwas blocked, slightly for the control and scarcely for the prunedsystems in which fast growing regenerated roots developed. Thedifferences between treatments were related to the proportionof ESR which ceased growing. Following shoot arrest, the apicaldiameter of ESR increased greatly for blocked seedlings andto a lesser extent for pruned seedlings. Branching density ofthe ESR and elongation of tertiary roots were also higher forseedlings without a growing taproot. The dynamics of ESR response was not consistent with activeinhibition of their development by the growing taproot. Moreover,this response was dependent on concurrent development of shootand regenerating roots, hence competition processes were morelikely to be determining. In such an hypothesis, root elongationcan be limited by assimilate availability, but also by eachroot's maximum growth rate in non-limiting conditions, i.e.growth potential. Since the latter is related to apical diameter,a significant acceleration of elongation required a parallelincrease in apical diameter and this may explain the relativeinertia of ESR to taproot alteration. Conversely, regeneratingroots could have a high growth potential because they were initiatedin a favourable context, thus their development competed stronglywith elongation of ESR. Key words: Hevea brasiliensis, root system, development, growth potential, root diameter, competition     

Root responses of Quercus ilex L. seedlings to drought and fire

Abstract

Drought treatments in holm-oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings induce variations in total root length, number of root apices, shoot/root dry weight, and root electrolyte leakage. When drought treatments last for more than 50 days a considerable number of fine lateral roots die, irrespective of branching order or distribution within the root system. Scorching of drought-treated seedlings induces a transient stimulation of root growth. These results indicate that root turnover is deeply affected during treatments, with survival of seedlings being entrusted to the tolerance of a number of roots situated in the deeper region of the root system. Activity of the meristematic tissue present within the apices of these surviving roots supports regeneration of above-ground lost organs during recovery. Knowledge of the mechanisms ensuring the survival of Mediterranean tree seedlings following drought and fire is useful for developing models of vegetation dynamics.     

The Effect of Mechanically Induced Stress on the Growth of Cauliflower, Lettuce and Celery Seedlings

Brushing cauliflower, lettuce and celery seedlings with paperfor 1.5 min each day for 11–13 d, 10–12 d or 21–28d, respectively resulted in smaller, more compact, plants thanthe unbrushed controls. In all three species shoot fresh anddry weights and leaf area were reduced following brushing. Incauliflower and celery the largest growth reduction was in petiolelength. In lettuce, which has no discernible petioles, the reductionin leaf length caused by brushing was proportionally greaterthan the reduction in leaf width. Brushing reduced hypocotyllength in cauliflowers and to a lesser extent in lettuce. Petioleand hypocotyl thickness was reduced in cauliflower, whereashypocotyl thickness was increased in lettuce following brushing.Brushing increased leaf thickness in cauliflower, celery andto a lesser extent in lettuce and increased the percentage drymatter content of lettuce shoots. The weight of chlorophyllper fresh weight of leaf tissue increased following brushingin celery and lettuce and declined in cauliflowers. Root length and the number of branches per root system werereduced in all three species following brushing. Root dry weightwas reduced and the root:shoot dry weight ratio was increasedin lettuce, reduced in celery and unaffected in cauliflowers. There were different patterns of response to brushing, the reductionin leaf weight being greatest in the youngest leaf of cauliflowerand least in the youngest leaf of lettuce and celery. Growthresponses to brushing were seen several days after brushinghad ceased, noticeably in leaves which were barely visible atthe time of brushing. It is suggested that growth retardation of cauliflowers, lettuceand celery, induced by mechanical stress such as brushing mayprove valuable as a means of ‘conditioning’ theseedlings to withstand both the physical and physiological stresseswhich occur at and during transplanting. Brassica oleracea, cauliflower, Lactuca sativa L., lettuce, Apium graveolens L., celery, mechanical stress, shoot growth, root growth, chlorophyll     

Root-Shoot Interactions in Peach: The Function of the Root

Peach seedlings were grown in aerated nutrient solution in small(15 cm³) or large (500 cm³) containers. Subsequently, some plantswere removed from the small containers to the large, or werestressed by root pruning. Half the plants received a foliarspray of synthetic cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) every4 days. Analysis of all the results enabled correlations between functionand growth measurements to be made. Irrespective of the treatmentthe total water and the total nutrient uptake by the roots wasdirectly related to the total dry weight increment. This suggeststhat for both water and nutrient uptake a functional equilibriumexisted between the root and the shoot. Where BAP treatmentincreased the top: root ratio there was a corresponding increasein the rate of water uptake per unit length of root. The relationship between root number and leaf number and thecomplementary action of BAP suggests that the root tip and itsproduction of cytokinins exerts considerable control over topgrowth.     

Endogenous Development of Adventitious Root Primordia in Lettuce Hypocotyls

Rudimentary adventitious root primordia were observed in optically-sectionedFeulgen-stained hypocotyls of 8-d-old lettuce seedlings germinatedin the dark and in a low light intensity environment. It issuggested that formation of these primordia may represent anaspect of normal development in the seedling. Adventitious, root primordia, hypocotyls, lettuce, Lactuca sativa     

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.     

Energetics of Plant Growth Under Anoxia: Metabolic Adaptations of Oryza sativa and Echinochloa phyllopogon

Unlike most plant species, Oryza sativa L. cv. S-201 and Echinochloaphyllopogon (Stev.) Koss germinate and grow under anaerobicconditions. In both species, the radicle or shoot emerged byday 3 when the seeds were germinated in air or N₂. Under eithercondition, shoot and/or root dry weight (d. wt) increased linearlyfrom day 3 to day 7, with a corresponding decrease in seed d.wt. In anaerobically grown O. sativa, d. wt accumulation wasreduced to 7% of that in air whereas d. wt lost from the seedwas reduced to only 37%. No root growth occurred during anaerobicgermination and shoot d. wt accumulation accounted for 10% ofthe d. wt lost from the seed. In E. phyllopogon, d. wt accumulationduring anoxia was 25% of that in air, but loss of d. wt fromthe seed was 44% of the aerobic rate. In air, 48% of the d.wt lost from the seed was converted to shoot or root d. wt.Like O. sativa, E. phyllopogon does not produce a root underN₂, but shoot growth accounted for 27% of the d. wt lost fromthe seed. Thus, either in air or N₂, E. phyllopogon was moreefficient at converting seed reserves to shoot/root structuraldry matter than O. sativa . Based on changes in metabolite pools,O. sativa appeared to shift exclusively to fermentation duringanaerobic growth. In E. phyllopogon, however, fermentation alonecannot satisfy the energy requirement for growth without O₂.Rather, fermentation, coupled with limited tricarboxylic acid(TCA) cycle operation could supply sufficient ATP for growthunder anaerobic conditions. An active oxidative pentose phosphatepathway and lipid synthesis were discussed as important mechanismsfor converting NADH to NAD, a necessary cofactor for fermentationand TCA cycle activity.Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press Anaerobiosis, Echinochloa phyllopogon, energetics model, fermentation, mitochondrial activity, Oryza sativa, rice, tricarboxylic acid cycle, watergrass     

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     

Genetic Differences in the Root Regeneration of Radiata Pine

The root regeneration capacity of eight open-pollinated familiesof radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) was compared after transplantingeight month old seedlings to 8, 11 and 14 ° C soil temperaturefor 32 d. The results confirmed the major influence of soil temperatureon root regeneration. Families differed markedly in their abilityto initiate and grow new roots. Differences in the number ofnew root apices produced between the first and last rankingfamilies were ninefold at 8 ° C, threefold at 11 °Cand sevenfold at 14 °C. There was significant family x temperatureinteraction for new root length. The ability of some familiesto grow new roots at the warmer temperature of 14 °C didnot match their ability at 11 ° C and 8 °C. The weights of shoot and root at transplanting had no apparenteffect on the root regeneration capacity of the families studied.The important factors which contributed to genetic effects werethe renewed growth of the existing first order lateral rootsand the production of second order lateral roots on them. The root regeneration characters were highly heritable. Thelarge genetic difference and the high heritabilities in rootcharacters indicate the scope to exploit genetic effects onroot configuration in radiata pine to improve survival and earlyestablishment.     

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.     

Pea Root Regeneration After Tip Excisions at Different Levels: Polarity of New Growth

The roots of light-grown pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv.Alaska) were excised at 250, 500 or 1500 µm from the body/capjuncture. Tips were sampled for 7 d after excision to monitorthe polarity and structure of the regeneration response. Inroots excised at 250 µm a new single apex regeneratedwithout swelling or any sign of repair. The new root cap appearedidentical to the control. After the 500 µm excision tworesponses occurred. In 45% of the roots examined, a single newapex regenerated, in 55% two or three new apices regeneratedto form a dichotomized or trichotomized root in the same longitudinalaxis as the primary root. In roots excised at 1500 µm,one, two or three lateral roots formed adjacent to the xylemat right angles to the primary root axis. In most instancesthe new roots developed triarch xylem. The discussion concentrateson the relationship of the differentiation state of the vascularcylinder and the pericycle, at the excision site, to the regenerationresponse. Root regeneration, Pisum sativum, Pericycle, Root apex     

Effects of Concentration and Time of Exposure on the Phytotoxicity of Linuron

When seedlings of lettuce and turnip were grown in nutrientsolutions containing different concentrations of linuron, theconcentration in the shoot at the time when toxicity symptomsappeared was related to the solution concentration. With lettuce,for example, symptoms were recorded after 7 d at 0.15 µg/mland the shoot concentration was 2.7 µg/g fresh wt. At0.06 µg/ml, symptoms appeared after 10 d and the shootconcentration was then 1.1 µg/g fresh wt. If grown fordifferent periods in solutions containing linuron and then transferredto fresh nutrient solutions containing no herbicide, turnipor lettuce seedlings which had accumulated 0.7–0.8 µglinuron/g fresh wt developed toxicity symptoms 4 to 6 d later.Seedlings were also treated with linuron after they had grownfor different periods in control nutrient solutions. The shootconcentrations attained before toxicity symptoms appeared werehigher in those seedlings which were larger when herbicide treatmentbegan. These results show that the herbicide concentration insolution, time of exposure, and age of seedling are interrelatedin determining linuron phytotoxicity.     

Changes in the Pattern of Cell Division in the Shoot and Root Meristems of Lolium perenne during the Transition from Vegetative to Floral Growth

For Lolium perenne cv. Cropper, a system which resulted in 100%flowering comprised 90 short days (SD) at 4 ?C (vernalization)and 30 SD at 18 ?C followed by 8 long days (LD). The mitoticindex and G1 and G2 percentages were measured in the shoot androot apices of plants following 2, 5 or 8 LD and in SD controlssampled at the beginning and end of induction. Identical measurementswere made in plants given 48 SD at 18 ?C followed by 2, 5 or8 LD; plants remained vegetative in response to this treatmentlacking vernalization. Significant increases in both mitoticindex and meristem size occurred in the shoot apex in LD followingthe vernalizing, but not the non-vernalizing, treatment. A clusterof mitoses in the apical dome of the shoot apex was unique tothe vernalized plants given 5 or 8 LD. However, an increasein root meristem size occurred regardless of vernalization,but a significant increase in the mitotic index was limitedto vernalized plants given 5 or 8 LD. Whilst the vernalization-LDtreatment resulted in an increase in the G2 percentage in theshoot apex following 2, 5 or 8 LD, no such alteration was observedin the root meristem. Thus, the changes to the cell cycle whichcorrelated with flowering were increased mitotic indices andG2 percentages in the shoot apex at each sampling time and increasedmitotic indices in the root apex following 5 and 8 LD. Key words: Cell division, flowering, Lolium perenne L.     

Root Growth, Secondary Root Formation and Root Gravitropism in Carotenoid-deficient Seedlings of Zea mays L.

The effect of ABA on root growth, secondary-root formation androot gravitropism in seedlings of Zea mays was investigatedby using Fluridone-treated seedlings and a viviparous mutant,both of which lack carotenoids and ABA. Primary roots of seedlingsgrown in the presence of Fluridone grew significantly slowerthan those of control (i.e. untreated) roots. Elongation ofFluridone-treated roots was inhibited significantly by the exogenousapplication of 1 mM ABA. Exogenous application of 1 µMand 1 nM ABA had either no effect or only a slight stimulatoryeffect on root elongation, depending on the method of application.The absence of ABA in Fluridone-treated plants was not an importantfactor in secondary-root formation in seedlings less than 9–10d old. However, ABA may suppress secondary-root formation inolder seedlings, since 11-d-old control seedlings had significantlyfewer secondary roots than Fluridone-treated seedlings. Rootsof Fluridone-treated and control seedlings were graviresponsive.Similar data were obtained for vp-9 mutants of Z. mays, whichare phenotypically identical to Fluridone-treated seedlings.These results indicate that ABA is necessary for neither secondary-rootformation nor for positive gravitropism by primary roots. Zea mays, gravitropism, carotenoid-deficient, Fluridone, root growth, vp-9 mutant     

Histology of Shoot Bud Ontogeny from Seedling Root Segments of Brassica napus L.

Root explants of Brassica napus cultured in vitro form adventitiousshoots. The root buds originated at the base of the newly initiatedlateral root. Cells in association with the differentiatingphloem of the developing lateral roots were the sites for rootbud formation. A nodular mass of cytoplasmic cells developedby day 7 at the base of the lateral root. This group of cellscontinued to divide an enlarge. The cells in the peripheralregion of the nodular cell mass differentiated further intoa meristematic zone. The meristematic cells grew towards theperiphery of the cortex by crushing the outer layer of corticalcells. Further development of the meristematic layer resultedin the formation of shoot primordia with organized shoot apicalmeristems and leaf primordia.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Brassica napus, canola, cultured root segments, root buds