Root mapping of three tropical pasture species using 32P

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (39) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Bray ◽  
JB Hacker ◽  
DE Byth

Root growth patterns of Glycine javanica, Setaria anceps, and Medicago sativa were studied by uptake of 32P from a sandy loam. Placement of isotope was through permanently positioned PVC conduit on a grid over a 90� quadrant of the root system. Detection of radioactivity was in in situ plant material. Lucerne had strong initial root development but was slow to form lateral roots. Glycine and Setaria had quite similar root systems although Setaria had more rapid vertical root development than Glycine. Both these species had strong lateral root systems. When a regression of minimum root length against time was calculated, lateral root growth was shown to be independent of depth and distance from the plant, suggesting that roots behave as if growing from a point source in random directions at a constant rate. This rate was the same for all species. There were also indications of strong vertical root systems in lucerne and Setaria.

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1675-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim H Ludovici ◽  
Stanley J Zarnoch ◽  
Daniel D Richter

Because the root system of a mature pine tree typically accounts for 20–30% of the total tree biomass, decomposition of large lateral roots and taproots following forest harvest and re-establishment potentially impact nutrient supply and carbon sequestration in pine systems over several decades. If the relationship between stump diameter and decomposition of taproot and lateral root material, i.e., wood and bark, can be quantified, a better understanding of rates and patterns of sequestration and nutrient release can also be developed. This study estimated decomposition rates from in-situ root systems using a chronosequence approach. Nine stands of 55- to 70-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) that had been clear-cut 0, 5, 10, 20, 25, 35, 45, 55, and 60 years ago were identified on well-drained Piedmont soils. Taproot and lateral root systems were excavated, measured, and weighed. Although more than 50% of the total root mass decomposed during the first 10 years after harvest, field excavations recovered portions of large lateral roots (>5 cm diameter) and taproots that persisted for more than 35 and 60 years, respectively. Results indicate that decomposition of total root biomass, and its component parts, from mature, clear-cut loblolly pine stands, can be modeled with good precision as a function of groundline stump diameter and years since harvest.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 2642-2654 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Krause ◽  
H Morin

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) are the two main tree species in the boreal forests of Quebec, Canada, and both show adventive-root formation. Little is known about the dynamics of adventive-root initiation and the pattern of length growth. To gain a better understanding of root growth, the root systems of 30 mature black spruce and 30 mature balsam fir were excavated until the root diameter had decreased to 2 cm. Tree ages ranged from 100 to more than 250 years. All trees showed only adventive roots; this was confirmed by dating the root–shoot interface. The youngest lateral roots were located close to ground level, whereas the oldest ones occurred lower in the stump, suggesting a process of renewal for the latter. Reconstruction of the development of the root system revealed a specific root-growth pattern. Adventive roots grew, on average, more than 60% of their total length in the year of initiation, whereas more than 93% of lateral-root elongation was recorded in the first 10 years after adventive roots were initiated. This growth pattern was found to be similar in the two tree species in terms of lateral-root development (p = 0.68). More variability was observed for the ramified adventive roots. However, two patterns emerged. First, around 10% of total elongation was completed in the same year as that of the corresponding lateral roots. Second, several ramified adventive roots were initiated in the same calendar year but delayed by several years relative to lateral adventive root initiation. No significant differences were observed between black spruce and balsam fir (p = 0.1).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Mathieu Pélissier ◽  
Hans Motte ◽  
Tom Beeckman

Abstract Lateral roots are important to forage for nutrients due to their ability to increase the uptake area of a root system. Hence, it comes as no surprise that lateral root formation is affected by nutrients or nutrient starvation, and as such contributes to the root system plasticity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating root adaptation dynamics towards nutrient availability is useful to optimize plant nutrient use efficiency. There is at present a profound, though still evolving, knowledge on lateral root pathways. Here, we aimed to review the intersection with nutrient signaling pathways to give an update on the regulation of lateral root development by nutrients, with a particular focus on nitrogen. Remarkably, it is for most nutrients not clear how lateral root formation is controlled. Only for nitrogen, one of the most dominant nutrients in the control of lateral root formation, the crosstalk with multiple key signals determining lateral root development is clearly shown. In this update, we first present a general overview of the current knowledge of how nutrients affect lateral root formation, followed by a deeper discussion on how nitrogen signaling pathways act on different lateral root-mediating mechanisms for which multiple recent studies yield insights.


2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 149-159
Author(s):  
Susan Day ◽  
P. Eric Wiseman ◽  
Sarah Dickinson ◽  
J. Roger Harris

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.


1995 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Roger Harris ◽  
Nina L. Bassuk ◽  
Richard W. Zobel ◽  
Thomas H. Whitlow

The objectives of this study were to determine root and shoot growth periodicity for established Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. (green ash), Quercus coccinea Muenchh. (scarlet oak), Corylus colurna L. (Turkish hazelnut), and Syringa reticulata (Blume) Hara `Ivory Silk' (tree lilac) trees and to evaluate three methods of root growth periodicity measurement. Two methods were evaluated using a rhizotron. One method measured the extension rate (RE) ofindividual roots, and the second method measured change in root length (RL) against an observation grid. A third method, using periodic counts of new roots present on minirhizotrons (MR), was also evaluated. RE showed the least variability among individual trees. Shoot growth began before or simultaneously with the beginning of root growth for all species with all root growth measurement methods. All species had concurrent shoot and root growth, and no distinct alternating growth patterns were evident when root growth was measured by RE. Alternating root and shoot growth was evident, however, when root growth was measured by RL and MR. RE measured extension rate of larger diameter lateral roots, RL measured increase in root length of all diameter lateral roots and MR measured new root count of all sizes of lateral and vertical roots. Root growth periodicity patterns differed with the measurement method and the types of roots measured.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-130
Author(s):  
ZHU Wei ◽  
◽  
YU Li-Xuan ◽  
ZHAO De-Hai ◽  
JIA Li-Ming ◽  
...  

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Eis ◽  
J. R. Long

Roots of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla) seedlings were side pruned in nursery beds at semimonthly intervals to produce dense and compact root systems. Root pruning early in the growing season stimulated the growth of existing roots and also initiated new roots. The densest root systems were produced by pruning before the end of June. However, because of the short length of lateral roots on seedlings early in their second growing season, pruning equidistant between rows 18 cm apart was ineffective. The best compromise appeared to be to prune spruce at the beginning of July, and hemlock around the middle of July. Earlier pruning equidistant between rows can be effective on larger seedlings during their third growing season. If early pruning is carried out on 2 + 0 seedlings, a pruning distance of about 6 cm from the row is recommended.


1991 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. T. Pendl ◽  
B. N. D'Anjou

Four stock types of amabilis fir (Abies amabilis) planted on Vancouver Island were compared for root growth capacity and field performance. Initial root growth capacity ratings and field performance of the stock types after five years differed significantly. Ranking the stock types by decreasing survival, stem height and diameter: 1 + 1 PBR 211 (89.4%, 78 cm, 15.7 mm), 1 + 0 PSB 313 (79.7%, 73 cm, 13.8 mm), 1 + 0 PSB 211 (76.8%, 66 cm, 12.9 mm) and 2 + 0 BR (58.9%, 59 cm, 11.0 mm). Given current nursery and planting costs and survival rates, the 1 + 0 PSB 313 and 211 are least expensive reforestation options, the 2 + 0 BR and 1 + 1 PBR 211 the most expensive. Root form of samples of each stock type lack well developed tap and lateral roots with root spiralling evident in the styroblock stock. Key words: Amabilis fir, stock types, bareroot, styroblock plugs


2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaizhang Li ◽  
Jiajia Ma ◽  
Pei Liu

Li, S., Ma, J. and Liu, P. 2013. OPR3 is expressed in phloem cells and is vital for lateral root development in Arabidopsis. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 165–170. Jasmonates, a group of oxylipin phytohormones in angiosperms, play important roles in regulating plant growth and development and in responding to environmental stimuli. AtOPR3, a 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) reductase in Arabidopsis thaliana, has been proven to be vital in catalyzing jasmonate biosynthesis. Here, the temporal and spatial expression of AtOPR3 was investigated by promoter-GUS fusion in A. thaliana. In pOPR3::GUS transgenic plants, the GUS activity was detected in roots, leaves and all floral organs, and was highly induced by MeJA treatment. In addition, the GUS activity was principally detected in the phloem cells of the leaf veins. The sequence of the OPR3 promoter region was predicted to have 49 potential binding sites for transcription factors including the well-known Myc-like basic helix-loop-helix, GATA, MADS, MYB-like and Homeobox proteins. In consistent with an expression of OPR3 in lateral roots, there are more lateral roots in the opr3 mutant plants, in which OPR3 expression is knocking-out. In addition, the involvement of auxin biosynthesis in JA-regulated lateral root development is implied by our observation that the transcripts of ASA1, a gene involved in auxin biosynthesis, are decreased in opr3 plants.


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