scholarly journals Root-TRAPR: a modular plant growth device to visualize root development and monitor growth parameters, as applied to an elicitor response of Cannabis sativa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pipob Suwanchaikasem ◽  
Robert Walker ◽  
Alexander Idnurm ◽  
Jamie Selby-Pham ◽  
Berin A. Boughton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Morphology ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Growth Chamber ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Elicitor Response ◽  
Root Tissues

Abstract Background Plant growth devices, for example rhizoponics, rhizoboxes, and ecosystem fabrication (EcoFAB) have been developed to facilitate studies of plant root morphology and plant-microbe interactions in controlled laboratory settings. However, several of these designs are suitable only for studying small model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon, and therefore require modification to be extended to larger plant species like crop plants. In addition, specific tools and technical skills required for fabricating these devices may not be available to researchers. Hence, this study aimed to establish an alternative protocol to generate a larger, modular and reusable plant growth device based on differently available resources. Results Root-TRAPR (Root-Transparent, Reusable, Affordable three-dimensional Printed Rhizo-hydroponic) system was successfully developed. It consists of two main parts, an internal root growth chamber and external structural frame. The internal root growth chamber is comprised of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gasket, microscope slide and acrylic sheet while the external frame is printed from a three-dimensional (3D) printer and secured with nylon screws. To test the efficiency and applicability of the system, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) was grown with or without exposure to chitosan, a well-known plant elicitor used for stimulating plant defense. Plant root morphology was clearly detected in the system and plant tissues were easily collected and processed to examine plant biological responses. Upon chitosan treatment, chitinase and peroxidase activities increased in root tissues (1.7- and 2.3-fold, respectively) and exudates (7.2- and 21.6-fold, respectively). Phytohormones related to plant growth and defense response were higher in root tissues as compared to the shoots. Additionally, within two weeks of observation, hemp plants exhibited dwarf growth in Root-TRAPR system, easing plant handling and allowing increased replication under limited growing space. Conclusion The Root-TRAPR system facilitates exploration of root morphology and root exudate of C. sativa under controlled conditions and at a smaller scale. The device is easy to fabricate and applicable for investigating plant responses toward elicitor challenge. This fabrication protocol is modifiable to suit other plants and can be adapted to study plant physiology in other biological contexts, such as plant responses against biotic and abiotic stresses.

Fish effluents promote root growth and suppress fungal diseases in tomato transplants

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Gravel ◽  
Martine Dorais ◽  
Dipa Dey ◽  
Grant Vandenberg
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Pythium Ultimum ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Growth Promoter ◽  
Soil Suppressiveness ◽  
Nutrient Value

Gravel, V., Dorais, M., Dey, D. and Vandenberg, G. 2015. Fish effluents promote root growth and suppress fungal diseases in tomato transplants. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 427–436. Aquaculture systems generate large amounts of wastes which may constitute a beneficial amendment for horticultural crop in terms of nutrients, plant growth promoter and disease suppressiveness. This study aimed to determine (1) the nutrient value of rainbow trout farming effluents coming from two feed regimes and (2) the plant growth and disease suppressiveness effects of those fish farming effluents on tomato transplants. The effluent sludge from Skretting Orient™ (SO) had a higher content of P (38 vs. 32 mg L−1), K (23 vs. 11 mg L−1), N (19 vs. to 11 mg NO3 L−1; 186 vs. 123 mg NH4 L−1), and a higher NO3:NH4 ratio (1:9 vs. 1:13) compared with the Martin Classic (MC), while MC was richer in Mg (42 vs. 24 mg L−1) and Ca (217 vs. 169 mg L−1). For the first trial, a stimulating effect of the fish effluent was observed on plant height, leaf area and root dry biomass, while only the root biomass was increased during the second trial. Fish sludge was rich in microorganisms (97 and 142 µg fluorescein h−1 mL−1 for SO and MC, respectively) and their ability to suppress Pythium ultimum Trow and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Sacc.) Snyder & Hansen was observed. Both crude fish effluents reduced in vitro mycelial growth of P. ultimum and F. oxysporum, by 100 and 32%, respectively, while MC effluents showed a higher inhibition against F. oxysporum. When fish effluents were sterilized by filtration or autoclaving, lower in vitro inhibition of P. ultimum and F. oxysporum was observed. Mixed fish effluents reduced tomato plant root colonization by P. ultimum (by up to 5.7-fold) and F. oxysporum (by up to 2.1-fold). These results showed that fish effluent can be used as soil amendments to promote plant growth and increase soil suppressiveness, which in turn can prevent soil-borne diseases.

scholarly journals Effect of Nutrient Solution Flow Rate on Hydroponic Plant Growth and Root Morphology

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bateer Baiyin ◽  
Kotaro Tagawa ◽  
Mina Yamada ◽  
Xinyan Wang ◽  
Satoshi Yamada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Root Morphology ◽  
Root Surface ◽  
Solution Flow Rate ◽  
Root Surface Area ◽  
Solution Flow ◽  
Flow Rates

Crop production under hydroponic environments has many advantages, yet the effects of solution flow rate on plant growth remain unclear. We conducted a hydroponic cultivation study using different flow rates under light-emitting diode lighting to investigate plant growth, nutrient uptake, and root morphology under different flow rates. Swiss chard plants were grown hydroponically under four nutrient solution flow rates (2 L/min, 4 L/min, 6 L/min, and 8 L/min). After 21 days, harvested plants were analyzed for root and shoot fresh weight, root and shoot dry weight, root morphology, and root cellulose and hemicellulose content. We found that suitable flow rates, acting as a eustress, gave the roots appropriate mechanical stimulation to promote root growth, absorb more nutrients, and increase overall plant growth. Conversely, excess flow rates acted as a distress that caused the roots to become compact and inhibited root surface area and root growth. Excess flow rate thereby resulted in a lower root surface area that translated to reduced nutrient ion absorption and poorer plant growth compared with plans cultured under a suitable flow rate. Our results indicate that regulating flow rate can regulate plant thigmomorphogenesis and nutrient uptake, ultimately affecting hydroponic crop quality.

scholarly journals Effects of green seaweed extract on Arabidopsis early development suggest roles for hormone signalling in plant responses to algal fertilisers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Ghaderiardakani ◽  
Ellen Collas ◽  
Deborah Kohn Damiano ◽  
Katherine Tagg ◽  
Neil S. Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Land Plant ◽  
Root Growth Inhibition ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Germination Inhibition ◽  
Green Seaweed ◽  
Algal Extracts

AbstractThe growing population requires sustainable, environmentally-friendly crops. The plant growth-enhancing properties of algal extracts have suggested their use as biofertilisers. The mechanism(s) by which algal extracts affect plant growth are unknown.We examined the effects of extracts from the common green seaweed Ulva intestinalis on germination and root development in the model land plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Ulva extract concentrations above 0.1% inhibited Arabidopsis germination and root growth. Ulva extract <0.1% stimulated root growth. All concentrations of Ulva extract inhibited lateral root formation. An abscisic-acid-insensitive mutant, abi1, showed altered sensitivity to germination- and root growth-inhibition inhibition. Ethylene- and cytokinin-insensitive mutants were partly insensitive to germination-inhibition. This suggests that different mechanisms mediate each effect of Ulva extract on early Arabidopsis development and that multiple hormones contribute to germination-inhibition.Elemental analysis showed that Ulva contains high levels of Aluminium ions (Al3+). Ethylene and cytokinin have been suggested to function in Al3+-mediated root growth inhibition: our data suggest that if Ulva Al3+ levels inhibit root growth, this is via a novel mechanism. We suggest algal extracts should be used cautiously as fertilisers, as the inhibitory effects on early development may outweigh any benefits if the concentration of extract is too high.

Melatonin alleviates aluminium toxicity through modulating antioxidative enzymes and enhancing organic acid anion exudation in soybean

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiarong Zhang ◽  
Bingjie Zeng ◽  
Yawen Mao ◽  
Xiangying Kong ◽  
Xinxun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Aluminium Toxicity ◽  
Al Toxicity ◽  
Root Growth Inhibition ◽  
H2o2 Production ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Al Stress ◽  
High Concentrations

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is a major chemical constraint limiting plant growth and production on acidic soils. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a ubiquitous molecule that plays crucial roles in plant growth and stress tolerance. However, there is no knowledge regarding whether melatonin is involved in plant responses to Al stress. Here, we show that optimal concentrations of melatonin could effectively ameliorate Al-induced phytotoxicity in soybean (Glycine max L.). The concentration of melatonin in roots was significantly increased by the 50 μM Al treatment. Such an increase in endogenous melatonin coincided with the upregulation of the gene encoding acetyltransferase NSI-like (nuclear shuttle protein-interacting) in soybean roots. Supplementation with low concentrations of melatonin (0.1 and 1 μM) conferred Al resistance as evident in partial alleviation of root growth inhibition and decreased H2O2 production: in contrast, high concentrations of melatonin (100 and 200 μM) had an opposite effect and even decreased root growth in Al-exposed seedlings. Mitigation of Al stress by the 1 μM melatonin root treatment was associated with enhanced activities of the antioxidant enzymes and increased exudation of malate and citrate. In conclusion, melatonin might play a critical role in soybean resistance to Al toxicity.

scholarly journals A highly efficient auxin-producing bacterial strain and its effect on plant growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seunghye Park ◽  
A-Leum Kim ◽  
Yoon-Kyung Hong ◽  
Ji-Hwan Shin ◽  
Se-Hwan Joo
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Bacterial Strain ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Process Waste ◽  
Luria Bertani Broth ◽  
Rdna Sequencing

Abstract Background Various bacteria promote plant root growth in the rhizosphere, as a measure of securing and enlarging their ecological niche. These interactions are mediated by plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as auxin, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is one of the physiologically active auxin. In this study, we isolated an unusual bacterial strain from food process waste with high efficiency and demonstrated its effects on plant rooting and early-stage growth. Results The efficiency of this bacterial strain in producing IAA was 16.6 mg/L/h in Luria-Bertani broth containing 0.05% l-tryptophan (Trp) at room temperature (24 ± 2 °C). Its IAA production was highly dependent on the presence of precursor, Trp. This bacterium was identified as Ignatzschineria sp. by 16S rDNA sequencing. Its bacterial culture supernatant (BCS) enhanced plant root initiation, root growth, and plant growth in the early stages. The root mass formed BCS-treated in apple mint cuttings was twofold of that formed in the control. The root number and length were 46% and 18% higher, respectively, in BCS-treated chrysanthemum cuttings than in the control. Conclusions These results show that the BCS of Ignatzschineria sp. CG20001 isolate obtained in this study can be used for agricultural applications. In addition, the novelty of this strain makes it a valuable genetic resource for biotechnological applications.

scholarly journals AtSK11 and AtSK12 Mediate the Mild Osmotic Stress-Induced Root Growth Response in Arabidopsis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Dong ◽  
Zhixin Wang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Xuelu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Mild Stress

Although most osmotic stresses are harmful to plant growth and development, certain drought- or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced mild osmotic stresses promote plant root growth. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of this response remain elusive. Here, we report that the GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3 (GSK3) genes ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA SHAGGY-RELATED KINASE 11 (AtSK11) (AT5G26751) and AtSK12 (AT3G05840) are involved in the mild osmotic stress (−0.4 MPa) response in Arabidopsis thaliana. When grown on plant medium infused with different concentrations of PEG to mimic osmotic stress, both wild-type (WT) and atsk11atsk12 plants showed stimulated root growth under mild osmotic stress (−0.4 MPa) but repressed root growth under relatively strong osmotic stress (−0.5, −0.6, −0.7 MPa) as compared to the mock condition (−0.25 MPa). The root growth stimulation of atsk11atsk12 was more sensitive to −0.4 MPa treatment than was that of WT, indicating that AtSK11 and AtSK12 inhibit the mild stress-induced root growth response. RNA-seq analysis of WT and atsk11atsk12 plants under three water potentials (−0.25 MPa, −0.4 MPa, −0.6 MPa) revealed 10 differentially expressed candidate genes mainly involved in cell wall homeostasis, which were regulated by AtSK11 and AtSK12 to regulate root growth in response to the mild stress condition (−0.4 MPa). Promoter motif and transcription factor binding analyses suggested that the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor bHLH69/LJRHL1-LIKE 2 (LRL2) may directly regulate the expression of most −0.4 MPa-responsive genes. These findings indicate that mild osmotic stress (−0.4 MPa) promotes plant growth and that the GSK3 family kinase genes AtSK11 and AtSK12 play a negative role in the induction of root growth in response to mild osmotic stress.

Optimal layout method of distributed locking device of satellite based on plant root growth theory

2018 ◽  
Vol 233 (8) ◽  
pp. 2802-2818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Wang ◽  
Fei Yang ◽  
Honghao Yue ◽  
Shengyuan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Topological Optimization ◽  
Fibrous Root ◽  
Secondary Locking ◽  
System Frequency

The method of determining the optimal direction of satellite locking point is extended from the mechanical stability principle of plant roots growth under external loads. The method of topological optimization of the number and location of satellite locking units was proposed based on the adventitious root growth pattern of monocotyledons. Inspired by the fibrous root growth rhythm, the method for topological optimization of the effective contact interface shape of the satellite locking units is presented. A satellite finite element model and three-dimensional spring support model are established to lay the foundation for system frequency analysis. Parallel algorithm is used to optimize the position of the main locking points. One-dimensional search method is adopted to select the growth positions of the secondary locking points with the goal of maximizing fundamental frequency of the system. The relationship between the locking stiffness and system fundamental frequency is explored. Finally, the optimization results of this method are compared with those of conventional methods; the comparison demonstrated that the fundamental frequency of the locking system is significantly enhanced by the proposed method.

Plastic Mulch Color Effects on Light Micro-environment and Watermelon Plant Growth

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 474d-474
Author(s):  
N.K. Damayanthi Ranwala ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Reflected Light ◽  
Total Light ◽  
Dry Mass Partitioning

This study was conducted to evaluate the spectral properties of various colored plastic color mulches and to determine the effects of upwardly reflected light from the mulch surfaces on watermelon plant growth when differences in root zone temperatures are minimized. Two-week-old watermelon plants were grown with black mulch, red-painted mulch, SRM-Red mulch (Sonoco, Inc., Harstville, S.C.), and white mulch. Total light reflection (58 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) and red: far-red (R:FR = 0.44) of reflected light were lower in black mulch and highest in white mulch (634 and 0.92, respectively). Both black mulch and white mulch had same blue:red (B:R = 0.6) while white mulch had higher B:FR (0.58) in reflected light compared to black mulch (0.26). Reflective properties of red mulches were somewhat similar, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.8, 0.2, and 0.18, respectively. However, SRM-Red mulch had highest total light (355 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) transmission through the mulch, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.84, 0.28, and 0.23, respectively. Light transmission through the other mulches was nonsignificant. Watermelon plants grown with black mulch and red mulches had higher internode lengths compared to white mulch after 20 days. Further, plants grown under black had significant higher petiole elongation accompanied with higher dry mass partitioning to petioles, and lower partitioning to roots, stems, and leaves. There was no effects of surface mulch color on total plant dry mass or photosynthesis although plants with black had higher transpiration rate. This suggests the differential regulation of dry mass partitioning among plant parts due to mulch color. The similar plant responses with black mulch and white mulch to plants treated with FR or R light at the end of photoperiod implies the involvement of phytochrome regulation of growth due to mulch surface color.

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