Responses of root systems of young Pinussylvestris and Piceaabies plants to water deficits and soil acidity

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 805-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Bartsch

Responses of the root systems of two conifer species (Pinussylvestris L. and Piceaabies (L.) Karst.) in a strongly acidic mineral soil and in a soil with normal acidity to increasing water deficits and subsequent rewatering were examined in a growth chamber experiment. Two-year-old greenhouse seedlings were transplanted into transparent acrylic containers (rhizotrons) positioned at an angle of 45° in wooden boxes. During the 12-week test duration, the following root parameters were measured in intervals of 2 to 4 days: root elongation rate, number of growing roots, root diameter, development of root hairs, root browning, and the development of mycorrhizae. The test plants, the spruces more so than the pines, in the strongly acidic soil were limited in their ability to react to changes of the water supply. Of the examined root parameters, the root elongation rate and the number of growing roots showed the most distinct reactions.

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Watt ◽  
Margaret E. McCully ◽  
John A. Kirkegaard

Results from a controlled environment system and the field showed that slow root elongation rate was associated with accumulation of Pseudomonas spp. in the rhizosphere; fast root elongation avoided accumulation. In the controlled environment system, total bacteria and bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudomonas were quantified along wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Janz) seminal roots elongating at rates of 2.4 or 0.8 cm d–1 in loose and compacted field soil, respectively. Although total numbers of bacteria were similar for both rates of elongation, more Pseudomonas spp. accumulated on the slow-growing roots and their numbers were greatest 0.5–1 cm from the root tips. A reduced rate of root elongation in compacted soil accelerated the differentiation of root hairs, branch roots and adhesion of rhizosheath soil. Elongation rate and distance between the root tip and the zone of root hair development were positively correlated (r=0.9), providing a morphological indicator of root elongation rate in the field. Slow-growing roots from the field had 20 times more Pseudomonas spp. per unit root length than fast-growing field roots, while total bacteria were 8-fold higher; differences were greatest 0–1 cm from the tips. These results may explain how soil structure and Pseudomonas spp. interact in conservation farming. Rapid root elongation is identified as a desirable trait for avoiding accumulations of bacteria.


Crop Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen A. Leach ◽  
Lindsey G. Hejlek ◽  
Leonard B. Hearne ◽  
Henry T. Nguyen ◽  
Robert E. Sharp ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Kopittke ◽  
Alessandra Gianoncelli ◽  
George Kourousias ◽  
Kathryn Green ◽  
Brigid A. McKenna

AbstractSilicon is reported to reduce the toxic effects of Al on root elongation but the in planta mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear. Using seedlings of soybean (Glycine max) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), we examined the effect of up to 2 mM Si on root elongation rate (RER) in Al-toxic nutrient solutions. Synchrotron-based low energy X-ray fluorescence (LEXRF) was then used for the in situ examination of the distribution of Al and Si within cross-sections cut from the apical tissues of sorghum roots. The addition of Si potentially increased RER in Al-toxic solutions, with RER being up to ca. 0.3 mm h−1 (14 %) higher for soybean and ca. 0.2 mm h−1 (17 %) higher for sorghum relative to solutions without added Si. This improvement in RER could not be attributed to a change in Al-chemistry of the bulk nutrient solution, nor was it due to a change in the concentration of Al within the apical (0-10 mm) root tissues. Using LEXRF to examine sorghum, it was demonstrated that in roots exposed to both Al and Si, much of the Al was co-located with Si in the mucigel and outer apoplast. These observations suggest that Si reduces the toxicity of Al in planta through formation of Al-Si complexes in mucigel and outer cellular tissues, thereby decreasing the binding of Al to the cell wall where it is known to inhibit wall loosening as required for cell elongation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-389
Author(s):  
Pauline Helen Kaufmann ◽  
Robert J. Joly ◽  
P. Allen Hammer

The difference between night and day temperature (DIF = day - night temperature) has been shown to affect plant height. A positive DIF (+DIF), cooler night than day temperature, increases stem elongation while a negative DIF (- DIF), warmer night than day temperature, decreases stem elongation. The physiological mechanism underlying the growth response to DIF is not understood, however, and the effects of day/night temperature differentials on root permeability to water and root elongation rate have not been studied. The objective of this study was to describe how +DIF and -DIF temperature regimes affect leaf water relations, root water flux (Jv), root hydraulic conductivity (Lp), and root elongation rates of `Boaldi' chrysanthemum [Dendranthema ×grandiflora Kitam. `Boaldi' (syn. Chrysanthemum ×morifolium Ramat.)] plants over time. Leaf turgor pressure (ψp) was 0.1 to 0.2 MPa higher in plants grown in a +6 °C DIF environment throughout both the light and dark periods, relative to those in a -6 °C DIF environment. Jv differed markedly in roots of plants grown in +DIF vs. -DIF environments. Rhythmic diurnal patterns of Jv were observed in all DIF treatments, but the relative timing of flux minima and maxima differed among treatments. Plants grown in positive DIF regimes exhibited maximum root flux at the beginning of the light period, while those in negative DIF environments had maximum root flux during the first few hours of the dark period. Plants grown in +DIF had significantly higher Lp than -DIF plants. Plants grown in +DIF and -DIF environments showed differences in the diurnal rhythm of root elongation. During the dark period, +DIF plants exhibited minimal root elongation rates, while -DIF plants exhibited maximal rates. During the light period, the converse was observed. In -DIF temperature regimes, periods of rapid root elongation coincided with periods of high Jv. Results of this study suggest that negative DIF environments lead to leaf turgor reductions and markedly alter diurnal patterns of root elongation. These changes may, in turn, act to reduce stem elongation.


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