Root Elongation Rate Research Articles

Calibration and use of CROPGRO-soybean model for improving soybean management under rainfed conditions

Crops such as soybean ( Glycine max L.) are grown predominantly under rainfed conditions where water is a major limiting factor and the interannual variability in rainfall pattern is high. Crop modeling has proven a valuable tool to evaluate the long-term consequences of weather patterns, but the candidate crop models must be tested and calibrated for new regions prior to their use as extrapolation tools to predict optimum cultivar choice and sowing dates. The objectives of this paper were to calibrate the CROPGRO-soybean model for growth and yield under rainfed conditions in Galicia, northwest Spain, and then to use the calibrated model to establish the best sowing dates for three cultivars at three locations in this region. The starting point of the calibration process was the CROPGRO-soybean version previously calibrated for non-limiting water conditions. The original model, when simulated versus rainfed soybean field data sets, tended to simulate more severe water stress than actually occurred. In order to calibrate growth and yield for the actual soil we tried several ways for the modelled crop to have access to more water. Modifications were made on soil depth, water holding capacity, and root elongation rate. In addition, other changes were made to predict accurately the observed water-stress induced acceleration of maturity. Long-term simulations with recorded weather data showed that soybean is more sensitive to planting date under irrigated than rainfed management, in the three studied Galician locations.

The relative importance of allelopathy in interference: the effects of an invasive weed on a native bunchgrass.

The relative importance of allelopathy and resource competition in plant-plant interactions has been vigorously debated but seldom tested. We used activated carbon to manipulate the effects of root exudates of Centaurea maculosa, a noxious weed in much of western North America, on root elongation rates and growth of the native bunchgrass Festuca idahoensis in order to investigate the relative importance of allelopathy in the total interference of Centaurea. In root observation chambers, Festuca root elongation rates decreased to ≈50% of the control, beginning 4days before contacting Centaurea roots in silica sand. However, when activated carbon, which has a high affinity for adsorbing to organic compounds, was added to the sand the effects of Centaurea roots on Festuca root elongation were reduced. In other experiments, Festuca plants were 50% smaller when grown with Centaurea than with conspecifics in pure silica sand. However, Festuca grown with Centaurea in mixtures of sand and activated carbon were 85% larger than Festuca grown with Centaurea in silica sand without carbon. These results suggest that allelopathy accounts for a substantial proportion of the total interference of Centaurea on Festuca, shifting the balance of competition in favor of Centaurea. However, Centaurea outperformed Festuca even in the presence of activated carbon, demonstrating the importance of the combined roles of resource competition and allelopathy.

Effects of soil air-filled porosity, soil matric potential and soil strength on primary root growth of radiata pine seedlings

The effects of soil air-filled porosity, soil matric potential and soil strength on primary root growth of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) seedlings were examined in four soil textures ranging from coarse to fine. At low penetrometer resistance ( 0.20 m3 m−3. This relationship was independent of soil texture. Root elongation rate was half its maximum at a penetrometer resistance of 1.3 MPa. Increasing bulk density has a greater effect of increasing soil strength in coarse soil than in fine soil but decreasing soil water content has a greater effect on increasing soil strength in fine soil than in coarse soil.

Root elongation against a constant force: experiment with a computerized feedback-controlled device

Axial force was applied to the root tip of corn (Zea mays L. cv. Merit) seedlings using a computerized, feedback-controlled mechanical device. The system's feedback capability allowed continuous control of a constant tip load, and the attached displacement transducer provided the time course of root elongation. Loads up to 7.5 g decreased the root elongation rate by 0.13 mm h-1 g-1, but loads 7.5 to 17.5 g decreased the growth rate by only 0.04 mm h-1 g-1. Loads higher than 18 g stopped root elongation completely. Measurement of the cross-sectional areas of the root tips indicated that the 18 g load had applied about 0.98 MPa of axial pressure to the root, thereby exceeding the root's ability to respond with increased turgor pressure. Recorded time-lapse images of loaded roots showed that radial thickening (swelling) occurred behind the root cap, whose cross-sectional area increased with tip load.

Water table decline alters growth and survival of Salix gooddingii and Tamarix chinensis seedlings

In the western United States, many native riparian forests are declining downstream from dams and diversions, primarily due to a lack of successful regeneration of native species. Conceptual models have been described that incorporate stream flow characteristics that promote successful regeneration of western riparian Populus seedlings. However, these models need to be calibrated for additional species and specific stream characteristics. In this study, we examined the growth and survival of two dominant Sonoran desert riparian tree species, a native Salix gooddingii, and an exotic, Tamarix chinensis, to simulated water table declines at rates of 0, 1, 2, and 4 cm/day. Salix seedlings performed best in the 0 cm/day treatment in which the soil was saturated and showed decreasing survival and growth with increasing rates of water table decline. Root-to-shoot ratios were high for Salix, but root elongation rates were low with an emphasis on lateral root development. This root growth pattern may be an adaptation to habitat where Salix typically grows, near the stream channel where the water table is shallow but the likelihood of flood scour is high. Lateral root development may help to protect Salix seedlings from late season flood scour. Tamarix seedlings showed consistently high survival across all treatments and had the greatest growth in the 0 and 1 cm/day treatments. Tamarix seedlings had greater root elongation rates in response to water table decline relative to the control, with the greatest elongation in the 1 cm/day treatment. Greater root elongation rates and higher drought tolerance allowed Tamarix seedlings to persist in dry soils where Salix seedlings died. Differences in growth and survival of these two species in response to water table decline will need to be incorporated into management practices to promote successful native riparian tree regeneration.

Physiological responses of radiata pine roots to soil strength and soil water deficit.

We investigated physiological responses of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) roots to soil strength and soil water deficit by measuring the osmotic potential (Psi(pi)) and yield turgor (Y) in the elongation zone of root segments of seedlings growing (i) in polyethylene glycol 4000-containing rooting solution of different water potentials (Psi(s)) and (ii) in soil of different soil strengths (Q) at the same soil matric potential (Psi(m)). Root elongation rate (Deltal/Deltat) decreased progressively with decreasing Psi(s) and was associated with decreased Psi(pi) and decreased turgor pressure (P). Osmotic adjustment occurred at Psi(s) < -0.2 MPa. Over a range in Psi(s) of -0.01 to -1.0 MPa, Psi(pi) fell 0.3 MPa whereas P fell 0.7 MPa. Mean Psi in the solution experiment was 0.37 MPa and did not differ significantly with Psi(s) (P = 0.10). Root elongation rate decreased exponentially as Q increased from 0 to 3.0 MPa, and was associated with an increase in P of 0.11 MPa as a consequence of Psi(pi) decreasing by the same amount. Mean Y in the soil experiment was 0.49 MPa and did not change significantly with Q (P = 0.87).

Coarse root elongation rate estimates for interior Douglas-fir.

Accurate estimates of root growth rates are important for root system modeling, and the spread of root systems may be an important determinant of belowground site occupancy. Estimating root system growth rates is complicated because missing, discontinuous, and false annual growth rings make root cross sections difficult to age. These irregularities can occur even in roots of dominant conifers with rare or absent stem growth ring abnormalities. Incomplete rings were noted in the root growth rings of nine co-dominant interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) trees. Coarse root (> 1.0-cm diameter) elongation rates were estimated by fitting a geometric mean regression line to ring count and lateral distance data. In all nine roots examined, the geometric mean regression slope was well within the range of the 95% confidence interval for the ordinary least squares regression of lateral distance versus age, suggesting that measurement error may have been negligible. Coarse root elongation rates (which ranged from 2.8 to 15.3 cm year(-1) and averaged 7.4 cm year(-1)) in the interior Douglas-fir trees studied were much lower than those reported by others. This discrepancy may be a result of limited soil water availability, soil heterogeneity (both soil water content and soil texture were highly variable across short distances) and fragmentation of belowground growing space.

Influence of Day and Night Temperature Differentials on Root Elongation Rate, Root Hydraulic Properties, and Shoot Water Relations in Chrysanthemum

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.

The Growth Response of Ecotypes of Holcus lanatus L. from Different Soil Types in Northwestern Europe to Phenolic Acids

Abstract: Phenolics are often discussed in relation to either allelopathy or to herbivory. This work, however, was undertaken to determine if phenolic acids benefit the growth of plants in very acid soils. We here report racial differences in the phenolic acid concentrations of the important plant species found in five sites within Central Scotland which covered a wide range in soil acidity from very acid (organic peats) to mildly acid (calcareous), and describe the racial differences in the growth response of Holcus lanatus L. to phenolic acids with increasing acidity. The total concentrations of phenolic acids in the ecotypes of important species were correlated with the total concentrations found in their respective soils. In general, the most phenolic-rich ecotypes of the five came from the organic acid soils (Flanders Moss [FM] and Sheriffmuir [SMB]). However, with the exception of ferulic acid which was a major component of both acid soils and their associated vegetation, individual simple phenolic acids extracted from either plants or soils were not consistently correlated. The addition of dry plant material collected from the five sites (0.5 g plant material 100 g-1 soil) to the acid-organic Flanders Moss (FM) soil stimulated the growth of two ecotypes of Holcus (acid-mineral Sheriffmuir [SMM], calcareous Kinloch Rannoch [KR]) but the same litter addition in non-organic, less acidic or calcareous soil inhibited growth of these ecotypes. In hydroponic solutions, growth response of Flanders Moss (FM) and Kinloch Rannoch (KR) to pH and phenolic acid mixtures was interdependent: in acid solutions (pH 4.0) but not at pH 6.5 root elongation rates (RER) of both ecotypes, and shoot elongation rates (SER) of Flanders Moss (FM), increased after treatment with a mixture of seven commonly occurring phenolic acids.

Abscisic Acid Accumulation Maintains Maize Primary Root Elongation at Low Water Potentials by Restricting Ethylene Production

Previous work showed that primary root elongation in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings at low water potentials (psi(w)) requires the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) (R.E. Sharp, Y. Wu, G.S. Voetberg, I.N. Saab, M.E. LeNoble [1994] J Exp Bot 45: 1743-1751). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the inhibition of elongation in ABA-deficient roots is attributable to ethylene. At a psi(w) of -1.6 MPa, inhibition of root elongation in dark-grown seedlings treated with fluridone to impose ABA deficiency was largely prevented with two inhibitors of ethylene synthesis (aminooxyacetic acid and aminoethoxyvinylglycine) and one inhibitor of ethylene action (silver thiosulfate). The fluridone treatment caused an increase in the rate of ethylene evolution from intact seedlings. This effect was completely prevented with aminooxyacetic acid and also when ABA was supplied at a concentration that restored the ABA content of the root elongation zone and the root elongation rate. Consistent results were obtained when ABA deficiency was imposed using the vp5 mutant. Both fluridone-treated and vp5 roots exhibited additional morphological symptoms of excess ethylene. The results demonstrate that an important role of ABA accumulation in the maintenance of root elongation at low psi(w) is to restrict ethylene production.

The role of ethylene metabolism in the short-term responses to aluminium by roots of two maize cultivars different in Al-resistance

The possible role of ethylene in the initial signal transduction of Al-induced root growth responses was investigated in two tropical maize ( Zea mays) varieties that differ in Al resistance: ATP SR Yellow and HS 701 B. The intensity of Al toxicity effects were evaluated after short (4 and 24 h) exposure to 50 μM Al in complete low ionic strength nutrient solution. Relative root elongation rates (RER) and callose formation in root tips were used as stress indicators. Ethylene production by the root tips and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase and ACC oxydase activities were analysed. After 24 h exposure to Al, both less callose production and higher RER indicated that ATP SR Yellow was more Al resistant than HS 701 B. The Al resistance of ATP SR Yellow, however, was not expressed after 4 h exposure to Al, when increased callose and decreased RER were observed. In any of the varieties and after any of the time-treatments an Al-induced increase of ethylene production was found. Our results indicate that the Al-resistance genes were not constitutively expressed in the absence of Al in the medium, but activated upon exposure to Al. An efficient protection against Al was achieved after a lag time of more than 4 h. Enhanced ethylene formation does not seem to play a role either in the Al-induced inhibition of root elongation or in the induction of the resistance mechanism.

Variation in temperature requirements for germination and early seedling root development in Chamaecrista rotundifolia and three allied species.

Two experiments are discussed. In the first, rates of root elongation during the first four days of growth at 25 °C were studied in Chamaecrista rotundifolia (34 accessions), C. nictitans (2 accessions), C. pilosa (1 accession) and C. serpens (3 accessions). In the second, a comparison was made of germination characteristics of 14 accessions of C. rotundifolia and one of C. pilosa at nine constant temperatures (11–27 °C). Entries included accessions from a wide latitudinal range. There were statistically significant differences in root length on all four days of measurement. No accession had significantly longer roots than the commercial cultivar cv. Wynn on day 1, but over the following three days, 4, 10 and 13 accessions had significantly longer roots, respectively. Root length on day 4 was positively correlated with latitude of origin. In the second experiment, maximum germination occurred at 25.5–27 °C, with progressively lower percentages at lower temperatures. There were highly significant differences between accessions at each temperature (P<0.001), and a highly significant accession × temperature interaction. No accession had a higher germination percentage than cv. Wynn at any temperature. Percentage mortality differed significantly (P<0.05) at all temperatures except 27 °C. Mortality at low temperature was negatively correlated with latitude of provenance. Increased temperatures up to 22.5 °C reduced the time taken to reach 50% of maximum germination (T50), and thereafter it was reasonably constant. With one exception (22.5 °C), no accession germinated significantly more quickly than cv. Wynn, and at 13 °C cv. Wynn germinated significantly more rapidly than all other entries. Over all temperatures, there was a significant negative correlation between days to 50% germination and latitude of provenance. Estimated base temperature for germination (Tb) ranged from 10.6 °C to 13.6 °C. Tb was positively correlated with latitude of provenance. It is argued that accessions from higher latitudes have developed mechanisms for survival of soft seed at low temperatures, low base germination temperature, germination rates and root elongation rates that adapt them to an environment with summer-dominant rainfall and winters which are too cool to support growth.

Regulation of Arabidopsis root development by nitrate availability

When the root systems of many plant species are exposed to a localized source of nitrate (NO3- they respond by proliferating their lateral roots to colonize the nutrient-rich zone. This study reviews recent work with Arabidopsis thaliana in which molecular genetic approaches are being used to try to understand the physiological and genetic basis for this response. These studies have led to the conclusion that there are two distinct pathways by which NO3- modulates root branching in Arabidopsis. On the one hand, meristematic activity in lateral root tips is stimulated by direct contact with an enriched source of NO3- (the localized stimulatory effect). On the other, a critical stage in the development of the lateral root (just after its emergence from the primary root) is highly susceptible to inhibition by a systemic signal that is related to the amount of NO3- absorbed by the plant (the systemic inhibitory effect). Evidence has been obtained that the localized stimulatory effect is a direct effect of the NO3- ion itself rather than a nutritional effect. A NO3(-)-inducible MADS-box gene (ANR1) has been identified which encodes a component of the signal transduction pathway linking the external NO3- supply to the increased rate of lateral root elongation. Experiments using auxin-resistant mutants have provided evidence for an overlap between the auxin and NO3- response pathways in the control of lateral root elongation. The systemic inhibitory effect, which does not affect lateral root initiation but delays the activation of the lateral root meristem, appears to be positively correlated with the N status of the plant and is postulated to involve a phloem-mediated signal from the shoot.

Changes in soil CO2 and O2 concentrations when radiata pine is grown in competition with pasture or weeds and possible feedbacks with radiata pine root growth and respiration

This study examined the reciprocal effects of growing ryegrass, lotus and other weed species in competition with radiata pine on soil CO2 and O2 concentrations and on the growth and root respiration of the radiata pine. Soil O2 concentrations decreased and soil CO2 concentrations increased with increasing soil depth. Radiata pine plus competing species slightly reduced soil O2 concentrations and markedly increased soil CO2 concentrations (up to 40 mmol mol−1) compared with radiata pine alone. The dry weights of shoots and roots, and the root respiration rates of radiata pine grown with competing vegetation were much less than those for radiata pine alone. This probably was not solely caused by competition for nutrients water or light since adequate water and nutrients were supplied to all treatments and the radiata pine overtopped the competing vegetation. When radiata pine roots were raised in NaHCO3 solutions equivalent to a range of CO2 concentrations, succinate dehydrogenase activity (a metabolic indicator of mitochondrial respiration) and elongation rates of roots decreased as CO2 concentrations increased from 0 to 40 mmol mol−1. This suggests that the elevated CO2 concentrations found in the experiments in soil was the cause, at least in part, of the reduced growth of radiata pine in competition with other species.

Adaptation to Cd(II) and Zn(II), and the caffeine-potentiated override of the G2 block induced by the checkpoint activated by DNA damage

ABSTRACT Moderate and low concentrations of Zn(II) and Cd(II) were defined as those which depressed the rate of root elongation in Allium cepa L. to about 40 and 70% respectively of the control (17.3 ± 4.9 mm/day) at 25°C. At moderate concentrations, cells were detoxified from Cd(II), but not from Zn(II), by inducing the heavy metal chelators phytochelatins. Thus, root elongation further decreased (from 41 to 19% of the control) at moderate (0.05 mM) Cd(II) concentration upon addition of 0.25 mM L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of phytochelatin synthesis. On the other hand, cells were also detoxified from Zn(II) by an alternative mechanism, as the 42% inhibition displayed at 0.5 mM Zn(II) concentration was partially reversed (up to 79%) in the presence of BSO. Zn(II) activated the checkpoint pathway induced by DNA damage, as a transient G2 block was produced; this block was partially cancelled by caffeine, so that chromosomal bridges (but no breaks) were observed in ana-telophase. On the other hand, Cd(II) did not activate the DNA damage checkpoint, as cells entered into anaphase with chromosomal breaks and bridges without any delay. Cd(II) may preclude the recognition of DNA damage by altering protein-DNA interactions, since 30% of the metaphases displayed clumped chromosomes. A minimum threshold was required to induce the adaptive responses described here, as BSO did not modify the reduction in root elongation rate recorded at low concentrations of both heavy metals.

A mathematical model for pH patterns in the rhizospheres of growth zones

ABSTRACTIn the classical model by Nye (1981), the main process for the change in pH across the rhizosphere is assumed to be diffusion. The classical model focuses on the non‐growing part of the root and assumes that the distribution of ion fluxes along the root is spatially uniform. We consider the rhizosphere of the growth zone and take into account the root growth rate and spatially varying flux along the root surface. We present both analytical (dimensional analysis) and experimental (computational) evidence of the importance of taking into account the root growth rate. We describe a conceptual and mathematical model to analyse the pH field around the root tip over time. The model is used with published data to show that, for typical growth rates in sandy soil, the pH field becomes steady (independent of time) after 6 h. Dimensional analysis reveals that a version of the Péclet number, related to the quotient of root elongation rate and proton diffusivity, can be used to predict the extent of the rhizosphere and the time required for it to become steady. For Péclet numbers much greater than 1 (soils), the root influences soil pH for distances on the millimetre scale. In contrast, for Péclet numbers much less than one (agar, aqueous solution), the root influences substrate pH for radial distances on the scale of centimetres. We also present some evidence that agar‐contact techniques to measure the soil pH may not be appropriate for measuring the millimetre‐scale gradients in soil pH.

The effect of mechanical impedance on root growth in pea (Pisum sativum). I. Rates of cell flux, mitosis, and strain during recovery

We studied the effect of mechanical impedance on cell flux and meristematic activity in pea roots. Pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv. Helka) were grown in cores of sand packed to dry bulk densities of either; 1.4 Mg m−3 with an additional 2.4 kg uniaxial load applied to the surface to increase the mechanical resistance to growth (penetration resistance of 1.5 MPa); or 1.0 Mg m−3 (penetration resistance of 0.05 MPa). A water content of 0.06 g g−1 was chosen for optimum root growth. After 3 days, the seedlings were transferred to hydroponics, colchicine was added and the rate of cell doubling, mitotic index and length of the cell cycle was assessed. Cell flux in the third cortical layer was calculated for roots immediately removed from sand.Mechanical impedance slowed root extension to about 20% of the unimpeded rate, and final cell length was reduced to 50% of the unimpeded length. The rate of cell doubling was 3.4 times slower for roots recovering from mechanical impedance mostly as a result of a longer period spent in interphase. Cell flux in impeded roots was approximately half that of unimpeded roots (5 cells h−1), and contributed to a shorter cell file and elongation zone, and a slower rate of root elongation.

Inhibition of seedling survival under Rhododendron maximum (Ericaceae): could allelopathy be a cause?

In the southern Appalachian mountains a subcanopy species, Rhododendron maximum, inhibits the establishment and survival of canopy tree seedlings. One of the mechanisms by which seedlings could be inhibited is an allelopathic effect of decomposing litter or leachate from the canopy of R. maximum (R.m.) on seed germination, root elongation, or mycorrhizal colonization. The potential for allelopathy by R.m. was tested with two bioassay species (lettuce and cress), with seeds from four native tree species, and with three ectomycorrhizal fungi. Inhibitory influences of throughfall, fresh litter, and decomposed litter (organic layer) from forest with R.m. (+R.m. sites) were compared to similar extractions made from forest without R.m. (-R.m. sites). Throughfall and leachates of the organic layer from both +R.m. and -R.m. sites stimulated germination of the bioassay species above that of the distilled water control, to a similar extent. There was an inhibitory effect of leachates of litter from +R.m. sites on seed germination and root elongation rate of both bioassay species compared with that of litter from -R.m. sites. Native tree seed stratified in forest floor material from both forest types had a slightly higher seed germination rate compared with the control. A 2-yr study of seed germination and seedling mortality of two tree species, Quercus rubra and Prunus serotina, in field plots showed no significant influence of litter or organic layer from either forest type. Incorporating R.m. leaf material into the growth medium in vitro depressed growth of one ectomycorrhizal species but did not affect two other species. Leaf material from other deciduous tree species depressed ectomycorrhizal growth to a similar or greater extent as leaf material from R.m. In conclusion, R.m. litter can have an allelopathic effect on seed germination and root elongation of bioassay species as well as some ectomycorrhizal species. However, this allelopathic affect is not manifest in field sites and is not likely to be an important cause for the inhibition of seedling survival within thickets of R.m.

Acid-induced wall loosening is confined to the accelerating region of the root growing zone

The aims of this study were to quantify developmental differences in acid growth along the root axis and to determine whether these differences were due to alterations in cell turgor or cell wall properties. The apoplast pH of maize roots growing in hydroponics was altered from pH 7.0 to pH 3.4 using 2 mol m−3 citrate-phosphate buffer or unbuffered solutions. Whole root elongation rate rapidly increased and measurement of the local growth profile indicated that this increase in growth occurred in young cells in the accelerating zone (apical 0–4 mm) while more proximal growing cells were unaffected. Unbuffered solutions of identical pH produced qualitatively similar results. Single cell turgor pressures were unchanged between pH treatments both longitudinally and radially in the root tip. This suggests that the rapid acid-induced changes in growth rate were due to an increase in cell wall loosening. Single cell osmotic pressure and water potential were not significantly different between pH treatments. Acid pH caused net solute import at the root tip to increase 3- to 4-fold, which, coupled with the maintenance of turgor and osmotic pressure, indicated that solute import was not limiting expansion. Thus, acidic solutions cause an increase in growth in accelerating but not decelerating regions. It has been shown for the first time that acid growth in intact, growing roots is not due to differences in turgor, assigning these changes to cell wall properties. Possible cell wall biochemical alterations are discussed.

Acid-induced wall loosening is confined to the accelerating region of the root growing zone

The aims of this study were to quantify developmental differences in acid growth along the root axis and to determine whether these differences were due to alterations in cell turgor or cell wall properties. The apoplast pH of maize roots growing in hydroponics was altered from pH 7.0 to pH 3.4 using 2 mol m -3 citrate-phosphate buffer or unbuffered solutions. Whole root elongation rate rapidly increased and measurement of the local growth profile indicated that this increase in growth occurred in young cells in the accelerating zone (apical 0-4 mm) while more proximal growing cells were unaffected. Unbuffered solutions of identical pH produced qualitatively similar results. Single cell turgor pressures were unchanged between pH treatments both longitudinally and radially in the root tip. This suggests that the rapid acid-induced changes in growth rate were due to an increase in cell wall loosening. Single cell osmotic pressure and water potential were not significantly different between pH treatments. Acid pH caused net solute import at the root tip to increase 3- to 4-fold, which, coupled with the maintenance of turgor and osmotic pressure, indicated that solute import was not limiting expansion. Thus, acidic solutions cause an increase in growth in accelerating but not decelerating regions. It has been shown for the first time that acid growth in intact, growing roots is not due to differences in turgor, assigning these changes to cell wall properties. Possible cell wall biochemical alterations are discussed.