Lateral Root Traits of Taxodium Hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan 406’ in Response to Drought Stress

Roots are vital organs for resource uptake. However, the knowledge regarding the extent by which responses in roots influence plant resistance is still poorly known. In this study, we examined the morphological and physiological responses of lateral roots of Taxodium hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan 406’ (Taxodium mucronatum♀ and Taxodium distichum♂, T. 406) to 8 (DS-8) and 12 days (DS-12) drought. Control plants (CK-8 and CK-12) were well-watered throughout the experiment. Results indicated that drought resulted in significantly decreased root length, surface area, volume, and biomass and a relatively high death rate of roots (>2 mm). Specific root length (SRL) and specific root surface area (SRA) of drought-stressed T. 406 plants were reduced to enhance resource uptake. Meanwhile, root relative water content (RWC) of T. 406 plants in CK-12 treatment was 5.81 times of those in DS-12 treatment. Under drought stress and root superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid (ASA) activities, proline and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents consistently increased to benefit the elimination of O2−. At the ultrastructural level, the organelle structure of T. 406 plant root tip was visibly damaged because of dehydration. The nucleus swelled and then exhibited uncommon features of disorganization and disruption. In short, our results provided substantial information about lateral root traits of T. 406 plants in response to drought stress, which is crucial to improve the drought resistance of Taxodium hybrid in the future breeding.

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Root Traits Determine Variation in Nonstructural Carbohydrates (NSCs) under Different Drought Intensities and Soil Substrates in Three Temperate Tree Species

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11040415 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 415 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Li Ji ◽

Khan Attaullah ◽

Jun Wang ◽

Dapao Yu ◽

Yuchun Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Tree Species ◽

Soluble Sugar ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

Root Traits ◽

Root Tip ◽

Root Surface Area ◽

Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽

Soil Substrates

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) are a key factor in the physiological regulation of plants and can reflect buffering capacity of plants under diverse environmental conditions. The effects of diverse environmental conditions on plant NSCs and tissue or organ scales have been thoroughly studied, but their effects on fine root (root diameter < 2 mm) NSC concentrations are still not completely understood. Our aims were to explore the synergistic fluctuations in root traits and NSC concentrations under diverse environmental conditions. This study was conducted on two-year-old temperate seedling tree species (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr.) with different drought intensities and soil substrates. The specific root length (SRL) and specific root surface area (SRA) were significantly affected by drought intensities and soil substrates, while the root tissue density (RTD) and average diameter (AD) were not significantly affected by water intensities and soil substrates in all three species. The root C, N, and P concentration did not change according to drought stress but were significantly affected by the soil substrates in all three species. Similarly, the soluble sugar (SS) and starch (ST) concentrations were significantly affected by both the drought stress and the soil substrates in all three species. The AD explained 6.8% of the total variations in soluble sugar, while the SRL explains 32.1% of the total variation in starch. The root tip C, N, and P concentrations were not significantly correlated with NSCs under different treatments. The total variations in root tip morphology, chemistry, and NSC concentrations are greater among species than compared to different drought intensities and soil substrates. However, the root NSC concentrations were closely related to root morphological traits (SRL and AD) rather than chemical traits. On the basis of different soil resources, the species with thinner diameters have higher SS concentrations, while those of a thicker diameter have higher ST concentrations.

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Soybean Root Systems and Sudden Death Syndrome Severity: Taproot and Lateral Root Infection

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis.2004.88.9.1011 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 88 (9) ◽

pp. 1011-1016 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Loretta M. Ortiz-Ribbing ◽

Darin M. Eastburn

Keyword(s):

Sudden Death ◽

Root System ◽

Surface Area ◽

Root Length ◽

Lateral Root ◽

Lateral Roots ◽

Sudden Death Syndrome ◽

Root Infection ◽

Soybean Cultivars ◽

Progress Curve

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to evaluate the role that infection location (taproot versus lateral root) plays in disease development of sudden death syndrome (SDS) on soybean (Glycine max) caused by the fungus Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines. Root characteristics of 12 soybean cultivars, representing a range of SDS reactions, were evaluated and compared for disease responses. A method was developed to facilitate taproot or lateral root infection. Results show that this procedure may be useful for observing a continuum of foliar and root disease responses. Significant differences in root length, surface area, and average diameter were observed among cultivars when infection occurred at the taproot or on the lateral roots. A significant correlation existed between foliar symptoms (i.e., area under the disease progress curve [AUDPC]) and root length, surface area, and volume for inoculated plants. Root volume and percent root discoloration were significantly different among individual soybean cultivars, and percent root discoloration was associated with AUDPC values only when the initial site of infection was on the lateral roots of soybean plants. Useful information about root system responses to SDS may be obtained from infection of the entire root system as opposed to only taproot infection.

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Phenotypic Diversity for Root Traits and Identification of Superior Germplasm for Root Breeding in Watermelon

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci15093-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 1272-1279

Author(s):

Dennis N. Katuuramu ◽

W. Patrick Wechter ◽

Marcellus L. Washington ◽

Matthew Horry ◽

Matthew A. Cutulle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Surface Area ◽

Root Length ◽

Root Traits ◽

Root Surface ◽

Root Diameter ◽

Root Surface Area ◽

Total Root Length ◽

Root Volume ◽

Diverse Range

Root traits are an important component for productive plant performance. Roots offer immediate absorptive surfaces for water and nutrient acquisition and are thus critical to crop growth and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, roots can provide the first line of defense against soilborne pathogens. Watermelon crop performance is often challenged by inclement weather and environmental factors. A resilient root system can support the watermelon crop’s performance across a diverse range of production conditions. In this study, 335 four-day-old watermelon (Citrullus spp.) seedlings were evaluated for total root length, average root diameter, total root surface area, and total root volume. Total root length varied from 8.78 to 181 cm (20.6-fold variation), total surface area varied from 2 to 35.5 cm2, and average root diameter and total root volume had an 8- and 29.5-fold variation, respectively. Genotypes PI 195927 (Citrullus colocynthis) and PI 674448 (Citrullus amarus) had the largest total root length values. Accessions PI 674448 and PI 494817 (C. amarus) had the largest total root surface area means. Watermelon cultivars (Citrullus lanatus) had a relatively smaller root system and significantly fewer fibrous roots when compared with the roots of the other Citrullus spp. Positive genetic correlations were identified among total root length, total root surface area, and total root volume. This genetic information will be useful in future breeding efforts to select for multiple root architecture traits in watermelon. Germplasm identified in this study that exhibit superior root traits can be used as parental choices to improve watermelon for root traits.

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Development of a novel semi-hydroponic phenotyping system for studying root architecture

Functional Plant Biology ◽

10.1071/fp10241 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 355 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Ying L. Chen ◽

Vanessa M. Dunbabin ◽

Art J. Diggle ◽

Kadambot H. M. Siddique ◽

Zed Rengel

Keyword(s):

Root Length ◽

Root Architecture ◽

Lateral Roots ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

Root Traits ◽

Digital Measurement ◽

Branch Number ◽

System A ◽

Large Sets ◽

Branch Density

A semi-hydroponic bin system was developed to provide an efficient phenotyping platform for studying root architecture. The system was designed to accommodate a large number of plants in a small area for screening genotypes. It was constructed using inexpensive and easily obtained materials: 240 L plastic mobile bins, clear acrylic panels covered with black calico cloth and a controlled watering system. A screening experiment for root traits of 20 wild genotypes of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) evaluated the reliability and efficiency of the system. Root architecture, root elongation rate and branching patterns were monitored for 6 weeks. Significant differences in both architectural and morphological traits were observed among tested genotypes, particularly for total root length, branch number, specific root length and branch density. Results demonstrated that the bin system was efficient in screening root traits in narrow-leafed lupin, allowing for rapid measurement of two-dimensional root architecture over time with minimal disturbance to plant growth and without destructive root sampling. The system permits mapping and digital measurement of dynamic growth of taproot and lateral roots. This phenotyping platform is a desirable tool for examining root architecture of deep root systems and large sets of plants in a relatively small space.

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Improvements in the Root Morphology, Physiology, and Anatomy of Platycladus orientalis Seedlings from Air-root Pruning

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci13375-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (12) ◽

pp. 1750-1756

Author(s):

Zhipei Feng ◽

Xitian Yang ◽

Hongyan Liang ◽

Yuhua Kong ◽

Dafeng Hui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Surface Area ◽

Root Length ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Root Surface ◽

Root Surface Area ◽

Root Pruning ◽

Root Tips ◽

Platycladus Orientalis

Air-root pruning (AP) has been identified as an effective technique for enhancing root growth and development. However, little information is available regarding the temporal changes in the root system of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco under AP. We performed integrated morphological, physiological, and anatomical analyses of the roots in P. orientalis seedlings that had been air-root pruned for 120, 150, and 190 days. Our results found that the whole root length, number of root tips, and root surface area of AP seedlings at 120, 150, and 190 days were higher than those of the non–root-pruned (NP) seedlings (P < 0.05), but the average root diameter did not differ significantly between the treatments. Compared with NP treatment, AP increased the root length, surface area, number of tips, and specific root length of the ≤0.5 mm diameter roots in P. orientalis during the experimental periods (P < 0.05), but those of 0.5- to 1-mm-diameter roots were only increased on day 190 (P < 0.05). The AP plants also exhibited higher root vitality and proportion of live fine roots than the NP plants (P < 0.05). Our anatomical evaluation of the ≤0.5 mm roots and taproots revealed features that could account for the morphological differences found between the AP and NP plants. In conclusion, our results indicate that air-root pruning induced changes in the roots that promote the root system development in P. orientalis compared with the NP treatment during the experimental period. These results thus provide experimental evidence to support the use of AP in P. orientalis seedlings.

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ROOTING OF Inga edulis Mart. (LEGUMINOSAE-MIMOSOIDEAE) MINI-CUTTINGS

FLORESTA ◽

10.5380/rf.v50i1.61297 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 1091

Author(s):

Marciana Christo Berude ◽

Emanuel França Araújo ◽

Bruna Tomaz Sant'Ana ◽

Rodrigo Sobreira Alexandre ◽

Elzimar De Oliveira Gonçalves

Keyword(s):

Surface Area ◽

Root Length ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Weighted Average ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

Root Surface ◽

Root Surface Area ◽

Root Volume ◽

Inga Edulis ◽

Fine Root Length

Seeds of the species Inga edulis are recalcitrant and lose viability quickly, which restricts seedling production at only a certain time of the year. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the potential of mini-cutting and the influence of different indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations on the vegetative propagation of Inga edulis. The vegetative material was collected from juvenile plants from a clonal mini-garden. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with five replications and each experimental unit with eight cuttings. Treatments consisted of different IBA concentrations (0, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg kg−1). The percentage of live and rooted mini-cuttings, number of roots emitted from the base, longest root length, total number of roots, fine root length, total root length, root surface area, weighted average root diameter, root volume, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter, specific root length, specific root surface area, and root density were analyzed after 45 days in a greenhouse. All Inga edulis mini-cuttings survived, and rooting was over 85%. IBA concentrations had no significant effect on most of the analyzed variables. However, exogenous auxin concentration between 2000 and 4636.96 mg kg−1 provided mini-cuttings with a higher number of roots, surface area, and root volume. Rooting of juvenile Inga edulis mini-cuttings may occur without the use of IBA.

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Inherent and Stress-Induced Responses of Fine Root Morphology and Anatomy in Commercial Grapevine Rootstocks with Contrasting Drought Resistance

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10061121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1121

Author(s):

Idan Reingwirtz ◽

Jake Uretsky ◽

Italo F. Cuneo ◽

Thorsten Knipfer ◽

Clarissa Reyes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Drought Resistance ◽

Root Morphology ◽

Root Length ◽

Fine Root ◽

Lateral Roots ◽

Root Diameter ◽

Root Tip ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Plant Materials

Some grapevine rootstocks perform better than others during and after drought events, yet it is not clear how inherent and stress-induced differences in root morphology and anatomy along the length of fine roots are involved in these responses. Using a variety of growing conditions and plant materials, we observed significant differences in root diameter, specific root length (SRL) and root diameter distribution between two commonly used commercial grapevine rootstocks: Richter 110 (110R; drought resistant) and Millardet et de Grasset 101-14 (101-14Mgt; drought sensitive). The 110R consistently showed greater root diameters with smaller SRL and proportion of root length comprised of fine lateral roots. The 110R also exhibited significantly greater distance from tip to nearest lateral, longer white root length, and larger proportion of root length that is white under drought stress. Mapping of fine root cortical lacunae showed similar patterns between the rootstocks; mechanical failure of cortical cells was common in the maturation zone, limited near the root tip, and increased with drought stress for both genotypes; however, lacuna formed under wetter soil conditions in 110R. Results suggest that drought resistance in grapevine rootstocks is associated with thick, limitedly branched roots with a larger proportion of white-functional roots that tend to form lacuna under more mild water deficit, all of which likely favor continued resource acquisition at depth.

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Differences in size and architecture of the potato cultivars root system and their tolerance to drought stress

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/4/2017-pse ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 63 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 159-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Zarzyńska Krystyna ◽

Boguszewska-Mańkowska Dominika ◽

Nosalewicz Artur

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Root System ◽

Surface Area ◽

Root Length ◽

Tuber Yield ◽

Root Systems ◽

Potato Cultivars ◽

Root Surface Area ◽

Depth Range ◽

Drought Conditions

Drought can cause substantial yield losses, particularly for crops with shallow root systems, such as potato (Solanum tuberosum). This study tested whether root system architecture could affect potato yield under drought conditions. The following parameters of the roots were measured: depth range, total length, total area, surface area, average diameter, and total dry weight of the root system. These parameters in soil layers were also measured at different depths. Five potato cultivars from a group of mid-early cultivars were examined in this study. The same cultivars were tested under two conditions: control with optimal irrigation and drought stress treatment without irrigation for three weeks after the end of tuberization to check the tuber yield. Significant differences were observed among cultivars in the size of the root system and its architecture. The biggest differences in the individual layers of soil profile related to the diameter of the root, the root length, and the surface area. Also a relationship between the size of the root system and yield of tubers was found. The strongest correlations involved the root length and the root surface area with the decrease in tuber yield under the drought, then the dry root mass with the decrease in yield. These correlations were negative: the higher the value of the parameter, the smaller the observed decrease in yield. This showed a relationship between root length and mass with the decrease of yield; this relationship was stronger for roots in deeper layers than in the shallowest layers. Therefore, this study indicates that breeding potato cultivars with deep root systems might improve tuber yields under drought conditions.

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Does a fungal species drive ectomycorrhizal root traits in Alnus spp.?

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x09-093 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 39 (10) ◽

pp. 1787-1796 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Ivika Ostonen ◽

Leho Tedersoo ◽

Triin Suvi ◽

Krista Lõhmus

Keyword(s):

Root Morphology ◽

Root Length ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

Root Traits ◽

Root Tip ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Short Root ◽

Root Area ◽

Root Size ◽

Specific Root Area

Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi contribute significantly to the shaping of short-root morphology, playing an important role in balancing the costs and benefits of root growth and nutrient uptake and exchange in boreal forests. We aimed to assess the effect of various EcM fungal taxa on root traits at seven sites dominated by grey alder, Alnus incana (L.) Moench, and black alder, Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. Mean root size, specific root length, specific root area, root tissue density, and root-tip frequency of EcM short roots were measured in EcM anatomotypes in relation to the effects of host species, soil moisture level, and nutrient status. Redundancy analysis revealed that anatomotype, alder species, site, and soil parameters (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations, pH, organic-matter content) accounted for 42.3% (p < 0.001) of the total variation in EcM root morphology. Variation decreased in the following order: anatomotypes (27.9%) > soil parameters and sites (19.9%) > alder species (5.1%). EcM fungus species had the primary influence on EcM short-root size. EcM roots of the dominant anatomotype, Alnicola spp., had the highest specific root length and specific root area in both alder species. Short-root morphology depends most strongly on the fungal taxa involved, which indicates that the type of mycobiont has an important influence on the functional properties of fine roots.

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Growth Characteristics of Bahiagrass Roots Treated with Micronutrients, Rare Earth Elements, and Plant Hormones

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.26.2.176 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 176-184

Author(s):

Ying Liu ◽

Huawei Song ◽

Juming Zhang ◽

Michael D. Richardson

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Surface Area ◽

Nutrient Solution ◽

Root Length ◽

Root Surface ◽

Growth Characteristics ◽

Root Tip ◽

Root Surface Area ◽

Scanning System ◽

Cerium Chloride

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is widely used for slope protection and water and soil conservation in southern China. The plants develop an extensive root system that plays a crucial role in the protection of both soil and water. However, little is currently known about the factors that influence early root growth in bahiagrass. Here, the effects of boron (B), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), salicylic acid (SA), and melatonin (MLT) on root growth characteristics were examined. Bahiagrass seedlings were grown in 1/25 strength modified Hoagland nutrient solution supplemented with boric acid, calcium chloride, ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Fe-EDTA), lanthanum chloride, cerium chloride, SA, or MLT. Root lengths, root surface areas, and the number of root tips were analyzed using a root scanning system after 2, 4, and 6 days of treatment. We found significant effects on root growth after some treatments. Thus, 0.270 or 0.360 mm B for 2 days enhanced root tip number, whereas 0.15 mm Fe for 6 days increased root surface area. Although 3 or 5 mm Ca caused an increase in root tip numbers, the root length was reduced. The addition of La to the nutrient solution significantly increased root length and surface area, and addition of Ce increased root surface area and root tip numbers. Root growth characteristics were optimal after 0.3 μm La for 6 days or 1.0 μm La for 4 days. For Ce treatment, optimal root characteristics were observed at 0.5 μm Ce for 6 days. Root tip numbers increased after 0.1 or 1.0 μm MLT for 6 days, whereas SA treatment reduced the root length, surface area, and root tip numbers. Overall, the analyses indicate that treatment with B, Fe, La, Ce, and MLT benefited root growth in bahiagrass seedlings.

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