Links Between Root Length Density Profiles and Models of the Root System Architecture

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. vzj2011.0152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loïc Pagès ◽  
Claude Bruchou ◽  
Sarah Garré
BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Admas Alemu ◽  
Tileye Feyissa ◽  
Marco Maccaferri ◽  
Giuseppe Sciara ◽  
Roberto Tuberosa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Genetic improvement of root system architecture is essential to improve water and nutrient use efficiency of crops or to boost their productivity under stress or non-optimal soil conditions. One hundred ninety-two Ethiopian durum wheat accessions comprising 167 historical landraces and 25 modern cultivars were assembled for GWAS analysis to identify QTLs for root system architecture (RSA) traits and genotyped with a high-density 90 K wheat SNP array by Illumina. Results Using a non-roll, paper-based root phenotyping platform, a total of 2880 seedlings and 14,947 seminal roots were measured at the three-leaf stage to collect data for total root length (TRL), total root number (TRN), root growth angle (RGA), average root length (ARL), bulk root dry weight (RDW), individual root dry weight (IRW), bulk shoot dry weight (SDW), presence of six seminal roots per seedling (RT6) and root shoot ratio (RSR). Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences between accessions for all RSA traits. Four major (− log10P ≥ 4) and 34 nominal (− log10P ≥ 3) QTLs were identified and grouped in 16 RSA QTL clusters across chromosomes. A higher number of significant RSA QTL were identified on chromosome 4B particularly for root vigor traits (root length, number and/or weight). Conclusions After projecting the identified QTLs on to a high-density tetraploid consensus map along with previously reported RSA QTL in both durum and bread wheat, fourteen nominal QTLs were found to be novel and could potentially be used to tailor RSA in elite lines. The major RGA QTLs on chromosome 6AL detected in the current study and reported in previous studies is a good candidate for cloning the causative underlining sequence and identifying the beneficial haplotypes able to positively affect yield under water- or nutrient-limited conditions.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1697
Author(s):  
Dinoclaudio Zacarias Rafael ◽  
Osvin Arriagada ◽  
Guillermo Toro ◽  
Jacob Mashilo ◽  
Freddy Mora-Poblete ◽  
...  

The evaluation of root system architecture (RSA) development and the physiological responses of crop plants grown under water-limited conditions are of great importance. The purpose of this study was to examine the short-term variation of the morphological and physiological plasticity of Lagenaria siceraria genotypes under water deficit, evaluating the changes in the relationship between the root system architecture and leaf physiological responses. Bottle gourd genotypes were grown in rhizoboxes under well-watered and water deficit conditions. Significant genotype-water regime interactions were observed for several RSA traits and physiological parameters. Biplot analyses confirmed that the drought-tolerant genotypes (BG-48 and GC) showed a high net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rates with a smaller length, and a reduced root length density of second-order lateral roots, whereas the genotypes BG-67 and Osorno were identified as drought-sensitive and showed greater values for average root length and the density of second-order lateral roots. Consequently, a reduced length and density of lateral roots in bottle gourd should constitute a response to water deficit. The root traits studied here can be used to evaluate bottle gourd performance under novel water management strategies and as criteria for breeding selection.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva ◽  
Hui Hui Chai ◽  
Sean Mayes ◽  
Festo Massawe

Characterizing the morphological variability in root system architecture (RSA) during the sensitive pre-flowering growth stage is important for crop performance. To assess this variation, eight bambara groundnut single genotypes derived from landraces of contrasting geographic origin were selected for root system architecture and rooting distribution studies. Plants were grown in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) column system under controlled water and nutrient availability in a rainout shelter. Days to 50% plant emergence was characterized during the first two weeks after sowing, while taproot length (TRL), root length (RL), root length density (RLD), branching number (BN), branching density (BD) and intensity (BI), surface area (SA), root volume (RV), root diameter (RDia), root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), and shoot height (SH) were determined at the end of the experiment, i.e., 35 days after emergence. Genotypes S19-3 and DipC1 sourced from drier regions of sub-Saharan Africa generally had longer taproots and greater root length distribution in deeper (60 to 90 cm) soil depths. In contrast, bambara groundnut genotypes from wetter regions (i.e., Gresik, Lunt, and IITA-686) in Southeast Asia and West Africa exhibited relatively shallow and highly branched root growth closer to the soil surface. Genotypes at the pre-flowering growth stage showed differential root foraging patterns and branching habits with two extremes, i.e., deep-cheap rooting in the genotypes sourced from dry regions and a shallow-costly rooting system in genotypes adapted to higher rainfall areas with shallow soils. We propose specific bambara groundnut genotype as donors in root trait driven breeding programs to improve water capture and use efficiency.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Ghasemali Nazemi ◽  
Silvio Salvi

Root system architecture (RSA) traits are characterized by constitutive genetic inheritance components which may enable to predict the root phenotypes based on genetic information. The research presented in this study aimed at the identification of traits and genes that underlie root system architecture (RSA) in a population of 176 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross between two durum wheat cvs. Meridiana and Claudio, in order to eventually contribute to the genetic improvement of this species. The following seedling-stage RSA traits were: primary root length, seminal root length, total root length, diameter of primary and seminal roots. Results of ANOVA showed a significant difference among durum wheat cultivars for all traits and the largest heritability was observed for total root length (30.7%). In total, 14 novel QTLs for RSA traits were identified, and both parents contributed favorable alleles to the population.International Journal of Life Sciences 10 (1) : 2016; 25-28


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Songyang Li ◽  
Wenqi Yu ◽  
Xiaodong Liu ◽  
Miao Wang

AbstractThe root system architecture (RSA) displays complex morphological characteristics because of diverse root growth behaviors. Recent studies have revealed that swarming behavior among roots is particularly important for RSA to adapt to environmental stimuli. However, few models are proposed to simulate RSA based on swarming behavior of roots. To analyze plasticity of RSA affected by swarming behavior, we propose viewing it as a swarm of single roots. A swarming behavior model is proposed by considering repulsion, alignment, and preference of individual single roots. Then, the swarming behavior model is integrated into a simple and generic RSA model (called ArchiSimple). Lastly, characteristics of RSA affected by swarming behavior model and non-swarming behavior model are compared and analyzed under three different virtual soil sets. The characteristics of RSA (such as primary root length, lateral root length, lateral roots, and resource uptake) are significantly promoted by swarming behavior. Root system distributions can also be greatly affected by swarming behavior. These results show that root foraging and exploration in soil can be regarded as collective behavior of individual single root.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 01019
Author(s):  
Andrzej Żabiński ◽  
Urszula Sadowska

The objective of the study was determination of the variability of morphometry and comparison of the morphological structure of the root system in winter cultivars of spelt. Four spelt cultivars were used in the study: Frankencorn, Oberkulmer Rotkorn, Schwabenkorn and Ostro. The material for the study originated from a field experiment. The roots were collected using the soil core method to the depth of 30 cm, from the rows and inter-rows, then the roots were separated using a semi-automatic hydropneumatic scrubber. The cleaned roots were manually separated and scanned, obtaining their digital images. Image analysis was performed using the Aphelion computer software. In order to characterize the root system of the spelt cultivars included in the study, values of the following indexes were determined: root dry mass (RDM), root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL), mean root diameter (MD). Based on the obtained results it was determined that the RDM, MD and RLD indexes in all spelt cultivars attain the highest values in the row, at the depth 0–5 cm.The highest value of the RDM and MD indexes characterized the root system of the Ostro cultivar at the depth 0–5 cm. The Oberkulmerrotkorn spelt cultivar was distinguished among the tested objects by the highest value of the SRL index.


2022 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Semih Acikbas ◽  
Mehmet Arif Ozyazici ◽  
Harun Bektas

ABSTRACT: Forage pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.) is an important legume crop for fresh and dry herbage production with high input costs as irrigation and fertilization. Selection and breeding of accessions for improved drought tolerance, water, and mineral uptake efficiency become a necessity, rather than a choice. This study evaluated a set of forage pea accessions for the seedling root system architecture diversity and seed reserve utilization, under controlled conditions. Eight cultivars and an elite breeding line were evaluated for the first time in a plexiglass system. The number and lengths of the roots in each depth zone (0, 5, 10, 15+ cm) were evaluated and significant diversity was identified. The cultivar Livioletta had the highest number of roots and total root length. There was a significant correlation between seed weight, seed reserve utilization ratio, and root system vigor. Accessions with the highest seed reserve utilization had the highest total root length and numbers. Seedling root system vigor seems to be effective in predicting the fate of the accessions through maturity. The results suggested a possibility of “seedling root selection” for forage crop breeding.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yalong Kang ◽  
Xiangrui An ◽  
Yanwei Ma ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Wenli Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Root system architecture (RSA) is highly plastic, responding to nutrient availability and the heterogeneity of the soil environment. However, the linkage of root morphology to anatomy and root nutrient, and its implication for root function at the heterogeneous application of bio-organic and chemical fertilizer have not yet been defined, especially for pear trees.Results: In this study, a split-root experiment was conducted using 1-year old ‘Cuiguan’ trees. No fertilizer (NF), chemical fertilizer (CF), and bio-organic fertilizer (BIO) were paired to test six combinations: NF-NF, NF-CF, NF-BIO, CF-CF, BIO-BIO, and BIO-CF. Root morphological, anatomical traits and root nutrient concentrations, and their relationships were determined. Trees receiving BIO had significantly higher lateral root numbers, activity, total lateral root length, and specific root length than trees receiving no BIO, while the effects on root tissue density were the direct opposite. Compared with CF-CF treatment, root xylem thickness, stele diameter, vessel diameter, and number of vessels all increased in response to BIO-CF treatment. Root growth was synergistically promoted in BIO-CF, with increased special root length and root nitrogen concentration, but root tissue density and the carbon:nitrogen ratio were reduced. Intriguingly, the synergistic effect resulted in greater trunk girth without sacrificing height, compared to trees receiving CF or BIO alone.Conclusions: The combination of BIO and CF improves root traits and tree growth, suggesting that using bio-organic fertilizer as a supplement to reduce the application rate of chemical fertilizer is beneficial to orchard ecosystems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang-Sheng WU ◽  
Guo-Huai LI ◽  
Ying-Ning ZOU

Root system architecture (RSA) is used to describe the spatial configuration of a root system in the soil, which substantially determines the capacity of a plant to take up nutrients and water. The present study was to assess if arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Glomus mosseae, G. versiforme, and Paraglomus occultum would alter RSA of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) seedlings, and the alteration due to mycorrhization was related to allocation of glucose/sucrose to root (Aglucose/sucrose). Inoculation with G. mosseae and G. versiforme significantly increased leaf, stem, root and total fresh weights, compared with non-AMF treatment. Mycorrhizal alterations of RSA in peach plants were dependent on AMF species, because only G. mosseae and G. versiforme but not P. occultum markedly increased root length, root projected area, root surface area and root volume. For the distribution of root length classes, AMF mainly increased 0-1 and 3-4 cm root length classes, which is AMF species dependent. Inoculated seedlings with Glomus species recorded significantly higher root sucrose and leaf and root glucose concentrations and lower root sucrose concentrations than un-inoculated control. Compared with the non-AMF treatment, G. mosseae and G. versiforme generally increased the Aglucose and Asucrose, but P. occultum significantly decreased the Aglucose and Asucrose. Asucrose or Aglucose was significantly positive correlated with root length, root projected area and root surface area. The results suggest that AMF modified variables of RSA in peach, which is AMF species dependent and related to Aglucose and Asucrose.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Rudolph-Mohr ◽  
Sarah Bereswill ◽  
Christian Tötzke ◽  
Nikolay Kardjilov ◽  
Sascha E. Oswald

<p>Dynamic processes occurring at the soil-root interface crucially influence soil physical, chemical, and biological properties at local scale around the roots that are technically challenging to capture in situ. Combining 2D optodes and 3D neutron laminography, we developed a new imaging approach capable of simultaneously quantifying H<sub>2</sub>O-, O<sub>2</sub>-, and pH-distribution around living plant roots while additionally capturing the root system architecture in 3D. The interrelated patterns of root growth and distribution in soil, root respiration, root exudation, and root water uptake can be studied non-destructively at high temporal and spatial resolution.</p><p>Neutron computed laminography (NCL), a tomographic approach specially adapted to samples with large lateral extension (here 15 x 15 x 1.5 cm) was applied to visualize the root architecture and soil water content three-dimensionally. Optodes, sensitive to pH and O<sub>2</sub> changes, were attached at the inner-sides of thin boron-less glass-containers where one maize plant was grown in each container. Knowledge about the distance of the roots from the container walls and thus from the optodes, support the interpretation of the optical images.</p><p>Neutron laminography made it possible to visualize and quantify the 3D root system architecture in association with the observed H<sub>2</sub>O, pH and oxygen patterns. The older part of the root system with higher root length density was associated with fast decrease of water content and rapid change in oxygen concentration. Lateral roots acidified their rhizosphere by a quarter of a pH unit and crown root even induced acidification of up to one pH unit compared to bulk soil. The benefit of neutron laminography is that we can extract the root structure in 3D, identify root age and root types and relate this to spatiotemporal changes in water content distribution, oxygen concentration and pH values.</p>


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