scholarly journals An approach to modelling tree root architecture in virtual urban growing conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Miron
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Tree Roots ◽  
System Architectures ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
Investigation Methods ◽  
Urban Conditions

Understanding the architecture of tree roots is an important component of urban forestry management practice. Tree roots are structurally and functionally important to the survival of trees, and this can be even more so in urban environments where underground space for roots is limited. Tree root architecture models can provide a complementary approach to traditional on-site field investigation methods. Root architecture models are unique in that they can simulate the spatial arrangements of root system structure explicitly, and allow investigators to create hypothetical simulations to test their assumptions about what may be driving root growth. The use of root architecture models in the literature is extensive and may be applied in diverse streams of investigation, but their application to tree root systems is less common. This research demonstrates a root architecture model, Rootbox, as a case study in the application of plant architecture models to simulate tree root growth in urban conditions. Model parameterization was based on conformity of root simulations to tree root architecture reported in the literature. The model is deployed in four hypothetical urban soil scenarios, which are representative of planting sites commonly observed in urban settings. The analysis demonstrates that plausible tree root system architectures – specifically, commonly observed growth attributes - can be produced by Rootbox, but only after several adaptive changes to both the source code/model design are made. Custom soil models can integrate with the simulation to represent urban conditions by modifying both the growth direction and elongation of portions of the root architecture, and thus offer greater control over the output architecture. Rootbox offers a flexible method of simulating the architecture of tree root systems, but further research should focus on optimizing the model’s parameters and functions to enable greater user control over model output.

scholarly journals An approach to modelling tree root architecture in virtual urban growing conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Miron
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Tree Roots ◽  
System Architectures ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
Investigation Methods ◽  
Urban Conditions

Understanding the architecture of tree roots is an important component of urban forestry management practice. Tree roots are structurally and functionally important to the survival of trees, and this can be even more so in urban environments where underground space for roots is limited. Tree root architecture models can provide a complementary approach to traditional on-site field investigation methods. Root architecture models are unique in that they can simulate the spatial arrangements of root system structure explicitly, and allow investigators to create hypothetical simulations to test their assumptions about what may be driving root growth. The use of root architecture models in the literature is extensive and may be applied in diverse streams of investigation, but their application to tree root systems is less common. This research demonstrates a root architecture model, Rootbox, as a case study in the application of plant architecture models to simulate tree root growth in urban conditions. Model parameterization was based on conformity of root simulations to tree root architecture reported in the literature. The model is deployed in four hypothetical urban soil scenarios, which are representative of planting sites commonly observed in urban settings. The analysis demonstrates that plausible tree root system architectures – specifically, commonly observed growth attributes - can be produced by Rootbox, but only after several adaptive changes to both the source code/model design are made. Custom soil models can integrate with the simulation to represent urban conditions by modifying both the growth direction and elongation of portions of the root architecture, and thus offer greater control over the output architecture. Rootbox offers a flexible method of simulating the architecture of tree root systems, but further research should focus on optimizing the model’s parameters and functions to enable greater user control over model output.

scholarly journals Contemporary Concepts of Root System Architecture of Urban Trees

2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 149-159
Author(s):  
Susan Day ◽  
P. Eric Wiseman ◽  
Sarah Dickinson ◽  
J. Roger Harris
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Urban Settings

Knowledge of the extent and distribution of tree root systems is essential for managing trees in the built environment. Despite recent advances in root detection tools, published research on tree root architecture in urban settings has been limited and only partially synthesized. Root growth patterns of urban trees may differ considerably from similar species in forested or agricultural environments. This paper reviews literature documenting tree root growth in urban settings as well as literature addressing root architecture in nonurban settings that may contribute to present understanding of tree roots in built environments. Although tree species may have the genetic potential for generating deep root systems (>2 m), rooting depth in urban situations is frequently restricted by impenetrable or inhospitable soil layers or by underground infrastructure. Lateral root extent is likewise subject to restriction by dense soils under hardscape or by absence of irrigation in dry areas. By combining results of numerous studies, the authors of this paper estimated the radius of an unrestricted root system initially increases at a rate of approximately 38 to 1, compared to trunk diameter; however, this ratio likely considerably declines as trees mature. Roots are often irregularly distributed around the tree and may be influenced by cardinal direction, terrain, tree lean, or obstacles in the built environment. Buttress roots, tap roots, and other root types are also discussed.

scholarly journals MARSHAL, a novel tool for virtual phenotyping of maize root system hydraulic architectures

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicien Meunier ◽  
Adrien Heymans ◽  
Xavier Draye ◽  
Valentin Couvreur ◽  
Mathieu Javaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Maize Root ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
System Models ◽  
Highly Nonlinear

AbstractFunctional-structural root system models combine functional and structural root traits to represent the growth and development of root systems. In general, they are characterized by a large number of growth, architectural and functional root parameters, generating contrasted root systems evolving in a highly nonlinear environment (soil, atmosphere), which makes unclear what impact of each single root system on root system functioning actually is. On the other end of the root system modelling continuum, macroscopic root system models associate to each root system instance a set of plant-scale, easily interpretable parameters. However, as of today, it is unclear how these macroscopic parameters relate to root-scale traits and whether the upscaling of local root traits are compatible with macroscopic parameter measurements. The aim of this study was to bridge the gap between these two modelling approaches by providing a fast and reliable tool, which eventually can help performing plant virtual breeding.We describe here the MAize Root System Hydraulic Architecture soLver (MARSHAL), a new efficient and user-friendly computational tool that couples a root architecture model (CRootBox) with fast and accurate algorithms of water flow through hydraulic architectures and plant-scale parameter calculations, and a review of architectural and hydraulic parameters of maize.To illustrate the tool’s potential, we generated contrasted maize hydraulic architectures that we compared with architectural (root length density) and hydraulic (root system conductance) observations. Observed variability of these traits was well captured by model ensemble runs We also analyzed the multivariate sensitivity of mature root system conductance, mean depth of uptake, root system volume and convex hull to the input parameters to highlight the key parameters to vary for efficient virtual root system breeding. MARSHAL enables inverse optimisations, sensitivity analyses and virtual breeding of maize hydraulic root architecture. It is available as an R package, an RMarkdown pipeline, and a web application.One-sentence summaryWe developed a dynamic hydraulic-architectural model of the root system, parameterized for maize, to generate contrasted hydraulic architectures, compatible with field and lab observations and that can be further analyzed in soil-root system models for virtual breeding.Authors contributionsF.M., X.D., M.J. and G.L. designed the study and defined its scope; F.M. and G.L. developed the model while associated tools were created by A.H. and G.L.; F.M. ran the model simulations and analyzed the results together with M.J and G.L.; F.M. and M.J. wrote the first version of this manuscript; all co-authors critically revised it.

scholarly journals Understanding Root Systems to Improve Seedling Quality

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Nicola
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Root Morphology ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Lateral Roots ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
The Third ◽  
Observation Methods ◽  
Different Types

Root architecture can be very important in plant productivity. The importance of studies on root morphology and development is discussed to improve seedling growth. Root systems of dicotyledonous species are reviewed, with emphasis on differences between growth of basal and lateral roots. The presence of different types of roots in plant species suggests possible differences in function as well. The architecture of a root system related to its functions is considered. Classical methods for studying root systems comprise excavation of root system, direct observation, and indirect analyses. While the first method is destructive and the third is effective in understanding root architecture only on a relatively gross scale, observation methods allow the scientist a complete a nondestructive architectural study of a root system. The three groups are reviewed related to their potential to give valuable information related to the root architecture and development of the seedling, with emphasis on the availability of a medium-transparent plant-growing system, enabling nondestructive daily observations and plant measurements under controlled environmental conditions. Effects of CO2 enrichment on seedling growth is reviewed, emphasizing the effects of CO2 on root growth.

Effects of Temperature on Root Morphology and Ectendomycorrhizal Development in Pinusresinosa Ait.

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh E. Wilcox ◽  
Ruth Ganmore-Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Root Morphology ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Root Temperature ◽  
First Order ◽  
Effects Of Temperature

Seedlings of Pinusresinosa were grown at root temperatures of 16, 21 and 27 °C, both aseptically and after inoculation with the ectendomycorrhizal fungus BDG-58. Growth after 3 months was significantly influenced by the presence of the fungus at all 3 temperatures. The influence of the fungus on root growth was obscured by the effects of root temperature on morphology. The root system at 16 and at 21 °C possessed many first-order laterals with numerous, well developed second-order branches, but those at 27 °C had only a few, relatively long, unbranched first-order laterals. Although the root systems of infected seedlings were larger, the fungus increased root growth in the same pattern as determined by the temperature.

scholarly journals MARSHAL, a novel tool for virtual phenotyping of maize root system hydraulic architectures

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicien Meunier ◽  
Adrien Heymans ◽  
Xavier Draye ◽  
Valentin Couvreur ◽  
Mathieu Javaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
R Package ◽  
Maize Root ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
System Models

Abstract Functional-structural root system models combine functional and structural root traits to represent the growth and development of root systems. In general, they are characterized by a large number of growth, architectural and functional root parameters, generating contrasted root systems evolving in a highly non-linear environment (soil, atmosphere), which makes the link between local traits and functioning unclear. On the other end of the root system modelling continuum, macroscopic root system models associate to each root system a set of plant-scale, easily interpretable parameters. However, as of today, it is unclear how these macroscopic parameters relate to root-scale traits and whether the upscaling of local root traits is compatible with macroscopic parameter measurements. The aim of this study was to bridge the gap between these two modelling approaches. We describe here the MAize Root System Hydraulic Architecture soLver (MARSHAL), a new efficient and user-friendly computational tool that couples a root architecture model (CRootBox) with fast and accurate algorithms of water flow through hydraulic architectures and plant-scale parameter calculations. To illustrate the tool’s potential, we generated contrasted maize hydraulic architectures that we compared with root system architectural and hydraulic observations. Observed variability of these traits was well captured by model ensemble runs. We also analysed the multivariate sensitivity of mature root system conductance, mean depth of uptake, root system volume and convex hull to the input parameters to highlight the key model parameters to vary for virtual breeding. It is available as an R package, an RMarkdown pipeline and a web application.

scholarly journals Toward Marker-assisted Breeding for Root Architecture Traits in Southern Highbush Blueberry

2016 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
pp. 414-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo H. Nunez ◽  
Hilda Patricia Rodríguez-Armenta ◽  
Rebecca L. Darnell ◽  
James W. Olmstead
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Growth Substrate ◽  
Family Pedigree ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Trait Associations

Root growth and root system architecture (RSA) are affected by edaphic and genetic factors and they can impact plant growth and farm profitability. Southern highbush blueberries [SHBs (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrids)] develop shallow, fibrous root systems, and exhibit a preference for acidic soils where water and ammonium are readily available. The amendments used to create these soil conditions negatively affect the profitability of SHB plantations. Hence, breeding for RSA traits has been suggested as an alternative to soil amendments. Vaccinium arboreum is a wild species that is used in SHB breeding. V. arboreum exhibits greater drought tolerance and broader soil pH adaptation than SHB, and—according to anecdotal evidence—it develops deep, taproot-like root systems. The present study constitutes the first in-depth study of the RSA of Vaccinium species with the intention of facilitating breeding for RSA traits. Root systems were studied in rhizotron-grown seedling families. In separate experiments, we tested the effect that growth substrate and family pedigree can have on root growth and RSA. Subsequently, a genotyping by sequence approach was used to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that could be used along with the phenotyping method to investigate the heritability of RSA traits and look for marker-trait associations. We found that RSA is affected by growth substrate and family pedigree. In addition, we found that V. arboreum exhibited greater maximum root depth and a lower percentage of roots in the top 8 cm of soil than SHB, and interspecific hybrids generally exhibited intermediate phenotypes. Also, we found that RSA traits exhibit moderate to low heritability and genetic correlations among them. Finally, we found 59 marker-trait associations. Among these markers, 37 were found to be located in exons, and 16 of them were annotated based on protein homology with entries in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank. Altogether, the present study provides tools that can be used to breed for root architecture traits in SHB.

scholarly journals Simulating rhizodeposition patterns around growing and exuding root systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Landl ◽  
Adrian Haupenthal ◽  
Daniel Leitner ◽  
Eva Kroener ◽  
Doris Vetterlein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Architecture ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Root Branching ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Model Approach

1AbstractIn this study, we developed a novel model approach to compute the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of rhizodeposits around growing root systems in three dimensions. This model approach allows us for the first time to study the evolution of rhizodeposition patterns around complex three-dimensional root systems. Root systems were generated using the root architecture model CPlantBox. The concentration of rhizodeposits at a given location in the soil domain was computed analytically. To simulate the spread of rhizodeposits in the soil, we considered rhizodeposit release from the roots, rhizodeposit diffusion into the soil, rhizodeposit sorption to soil particles, and rhizodeposit degradation by microorganisms. To demonstrate the capabilities of our new model approach, we performed simulations for the two example rhizodeposits mucilage and cit-rate and the example root system Vicia faba. The rhizodeposition model was parameterized using values from the literature. Our simulations showed that the rhizosphere soil volume with rhizodeposit concentrations above a defined threshold value (i.e., the rhizodeposit hotspot volume), exhibited a maximum at intermediate root growth rates. Root branching allowed the rhizospheres of individual roots to overlap, resulting in a greater volume of rhizodeposit hotspots. This was particularly important in the case of citrate, where overlap of rhizodeposition zones accounted for more than half of the total rhizodeposit hotspot volumes. Coupling a root architecture model with a rhizodeposition model allowed us to get a better understanding of the influence of root architecture as well as rhizodeposit properties on the evolution of the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of rhizodeposits around growing root systems.

Root growth of wheat. I. Early patterns of multiplication and extension of wheat roots including effects of levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Tennant
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Seminal Root ◽  
Root Numbers ◽  
Nodal Root ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

Wheat root growth was followed to 30 days from planting in wheat supplied with standard, twofold, half and nil levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Root numbers and lengths followed consistent patterns of increase in the seminal and nodal root systems of all treatments. Most root components demonstrated their highest rates of relative increase in length and number immediately after first appearance. Within a few days this decreased to a constant rate of increase which continued until the end of the experiment. Rates during the stages of constant relative increase were higher with increasing order of lateral, and the same for all treatments, except when nutrient deficiency seriously suppressed root growth. Potassium deficiency stopped root growth completely within 10–12 days of planting. Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies gave increasing delays in root component appearance with increasing order of lateral. Increasing suppression of seminal lateral numbers and a severe suppression of nodal root growth followed. Lower root numbers caused by nitrogen deficiency were compensated by greater lateral lengths in the seminal but not the nodal root systems. Some reduction in root growth resulted from application of the half and twofold levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. All responses to applied nutrient levels were more obvious with increasing order of lateral and with the nodal rather than seminal root systems. The nodal root system reflected plant response better than the seminal root system.

EFFECTIVE SOIL VOLUME AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO ROOT AND TOP GROWTH OF PLANTS

1967 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Root System ◽  
Experimental Work ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Daily Water ◽  
Soil Volume ◽  
Individual Root

Root and top growth of clover, wheat, and sunflowers varied consistently and quantitatively with changing soil volumes.A definition for effective soil volume is given and discussed in terms of root growth and root densities. The postulate is made that in root systems above a certain density each individual root can interfere with the daily water supply of nearby roots and hence restrict the growth of the whole root system and plant. The theoretical geometric proportions of this interference are discussed. The importance of soil volume in experimental work is indicated.

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