Abstract
The effects of root restriction on leaf and shoot growth and leaf anatomy of grape were investigated. Root restriction delayed leaf appearance, decreased leaf growth and reduced the rate of leaf expansion during all stage of berry development. Shoot growth of root-restricted vines was also reduced, with the length and thickness of shoots being lower than those of the control. Root restriction also induced adaptive changes in the leaf anatomy. Somata density of leaves from root-restricted vines was higher than that of controls, but the size of the stomata was smaller. The thickness of the leaf, cuticle, palisade layer, spongy mesophyll, and leaf structure tense ratio (CTR) were increased, however, the leaf tissue loose ratio (SR) and the size of guard cells were decreased. In conclusion, our results suggest that root restriction not only reduces growth of vegetative organ, but also alters their anatomy. These changes may be one of the reasons that change the physiological functions of the leaf. Key words: Root restriction, shoot and leaf growth, leaf anatomy.
Highlights
IntroductionRoot restriction can control the size of the shoot and partitioning of assimilates between vegetative and reproductive organs (Carmi, 1986)
Leaves are the main source of CO2 assimilation in plants
The time of leaf appearance in plants subjected to root restriction was delayed 2 to 3 days when compared with the control after the fifth leaf (Figure 1)
Summary
Root restriction can control the size of the shoot and partitioning of assimilates between vegetative and reproductive organs (Carmi, 1986). The plant displays distinctive differences in growth habit compared with that under normal field cultivation. Many investigators report that root restriction decrease vegetative growth, and alter the metabolism of vegetative organs (Wang et al, 2001; Zhu et al, 2006). Root restriction decreased leaf nitrogen content of Euonymus (Dubik et al, 1990), grapevine (Zhu et al, 2006), and peach (Mark and Marra, 1994; Boland et al, 2000), which may reduce the rate of leaf expansion (Radin, 1983; Gastal and Nelson, 1994)
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