Surface Area Of Root System Research Articles

Root system response to salt stress in grapevines (Vitis spp.): A link between root structure and salt exclusion

Accessing freshwater resources for agriculture becomes more complex due to increasing demands and declining water quality. Alternative water sources, such as saline water, require ad hoc solutions. Therefore, understanding roots' response to saline water is crucial for future agriculture. We examined the response of three grapevine rootstocks (Paulsen 1103, Richter 110 and SO4) to salt stress. The rootstocks were subjected to two salinity treatments: 10 mM and 30 mM NaCl (EC = 2 and 4 ds/m, respectively). Root and shoot samples were taken at the end of the experiment for morphologic and ionomic analyses. The specific root area (SRA) increased in response to salinity for all three rootstocks due to root tissue density and average root diameter reductions. Salinity also led to increased root Na+ and Cl- contents and reduced root K+/Na+ ratio, parallel to increased leaf Cl- but not Na+ contents. SO4 showed improved chloride and sodium exclusion, concomitant with its highest SRA, resulting from the increase in its thin roots' contribution to the total root system surface area. We suggest that enhanced SRA combined with decreased root tissue density and diameter may improve grapevines' salt exclusion by less salt uptake from the soil.

Glycoprotein Producing AM Fungi lifecycle and Potential Role in Agricultural Plant Lifespan and Global Environmental Changes for Sustainable Green Technology

The fungi forming arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) are obligate symbionts microbe that predominates with inside the roots and soil of land flora. AM fungi are monophyletic group of phylum Glomeromycota. The AM fungi now no longer simplest arise in roots however additionally produce hung networks of extraradical mycelium (ERM) indeterminate length, spreading from host roots into the encompassing soil and establishing belowground interconnections amongst plants belonging to the identical or to unique taxa, in which they form a dense mycelial network (MNW). Reproduction in AM fungi takes place via asexual spores, which might be produced at the hyphae tips. These thick-walled spores stay with inside the soil for prolonged periods of time. AM fungi facilitate host plants to develop vigorously beneath stressful situations with the aid of using mediating a chain of complicated conversation occasions among the plant and the AM fungus leading to enhanced photosynthetic rate and other gas exchange in addition to improved water. AM fungi provide key nutrients to host plant lifespan. AM fungi transfer phosphorus (P), other macro and micro nutrients, along with water to the hosts of grassland and tropical forest plants in exchange for sugars. AM fungi form a network of filaments that associate with plant roots and draw nutrients from the soil that the root system would not be able to access otherwise. AM fungus plant alliance stimulates plant growth and accelerates root improvement in nearly all crops. The AM fungal extraradical hyphae (ERH) alongside glomalin connected soil protein (GCSP) extensively influence the soil carbon dynamics (SCD) and enhance soil and plant health. They additionally increase the resistance in plants against plant pathogens and surface area of root system for higher absorption of nutrients from soil. Therefore, they can be used as biofertilizer in addition to biocontrol agent. Present manuscript delineated the prospective of AM fungi as a biostimulants can potentially strengthen plants' adaptability to converting Agriculture system for green technology

Do root hydraulic properties change during the early vegetative stage of plant development in barley (Hordeum vulgare)?

As annual crops develop, transpirational water loss increases substantially. This increase has to be matched by an increase in water uptake through the root system. The aim of this study was to assess the contributions of changes in intrinsic root hydraulic conductivity (Lp, water uptake per unit root surface area, driving force and time), driving force and root surface area to developmental increases in root water uptake. Hydroponically grown barley plants were analysed during four windows of their vegetative stage of development, when they were 9-13, 14-18, 19-23 and 24-28 d old. Hydraulic conductivity was determined for individual roots (Lp) and for entire root systems (Lp(r)). Osmotic Lp of individual seminal and adventitious roots and osmotic Lp(r) of the root system were determined in exudation experiments. Hydrostatic Lp of individual roots was determined by root pressure probe analyses, and hydrostatic Lp(r) of the root system was derived from analyses of transpiring plants. Although osmotic and hydrostatic Lp and Lp(r) values increased initially during development and were correlated positively with plant transpiration rate, their overall developmental increases (about 2-fold) were small compared with increases in transpirational water loss and root surface area (about 10- to 40-fold). The water potential gradient driving water uptake in transpiring plants more than doubled during development, and potentially contributed to the increases in plant water flow. Osmotic Lp(r) of entire root systems and hydrostatic Lp(r) of transpiring plants were similar, suggesting that the main radial transport path in roots was the cell-to-cell path at all developmental stages. Increase in the surface area of root system, and not changes in intrinsic root hydraulic properties, is the main means through which barley plants grown hydroponically sustain an increase in transpirational water loss during their vegetative development.

Water Uptake along the Length of Grapevine Fine Roots: Developmental Anatomy, Tissue-Specific Aquaporin Expression, and Pathways of Water Transport

To better understand water uptake patterns in root systems of woody perennial crops, we detailed the developmental anatomy and hydraulic physiology along the length of grapevine (Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris) fine roots from the tip to secondary growth zones. Our characterization included the localization of suberized structures and aquaporin gene expression and the determination of hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) and aquaporin protein activity (via chemical inhibition) in different root zones under both osmotic and hydrostatic pressure gradients. Tissue-specific messenger RNA levels of the plasma membrane aquaporin isogenes (VvPIPs) were quantified using laser-capture microdissection and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results highlight dramatic changes in structure and function along the length of grapevine fine roots. Although the root tip lacked suberization altogether, a suberized exodermis and endodermis developed in the maturation zone, which gave way to the secondary growth zone containing a multilayer suberized periderm. Longitudinally, VvPIP isogenes exhibited strong peaks of expression in the root tip that decreased precipitously along the root length in a pattern similar to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) roots. In the radial orientation, expression was always greatest in interior tissues (i.e. stele, endodermis, and/or vascular tissues) for all root zones. High Lpr and aquaporin protein activity were associated with peak VvPIP expression levels in the root tip. This suggests that aquaporins play a limited role in controlling water uptake in secondary growth zones, which contradicts existing theoretical predictions. Despite having significantly lower Lpr, woody roots can constitute the vast majority of the root system surface area in mature vines and thus provide for significant water uptake potential.

Hardware and software efficacy in assessment of fine root diameter distributions

Fine roots constitute the majority of root system surface area and thus most of the nutrient and water absorption surface. Fine roots are, however, the least understood of all plant roots. A sensitivity analysis of several software programs capable of providing root diameter distribution analyses was undertaken to determine if this software was capable of discriminating 10% changes in diameters of roots in the 0.05–0.2 mm diameter range. Digital images produced by drawing discrete lines, by scanning wires of various diameters, and by scanning roots from several legume species were analyzed and compared. None of the three packages were able to adequately analyze these images. Each introduced artifacts into the data that were severe enough to confound interpretation of the resulting diameter class length histograms at resolutions from 24 to 400 pixels (px) mm −1, and root diameters from 0.06 to 0.5 mm or larger. One package was, however, clearly superior to the other two for routine digital analysis. All three packages require additional development before they are suitable for routine analysis of fine roots. Due to the 252 px mm −1 resolution ceiling with currently available scanners, the smallest roots for which this level of discrimination is possible is 0.12 mm diameter. For many agricultural and forest species, up to 95% of their total root length is less than 0.1 mm in diameter. It is concluded that both hardware and software constraints currently inhibit the sensitivity of investigations into fine root diameter shifts in response to environmental conditions.

Root anatomy of Pinus taeda L.: seasonal and environmental effects on development in seedlings

The environmental and seasonal effects on anatomical traits of Pinus taeda L. seedling roots were studied in the laboratory in three contrasting root growth media and also in typical outdoor nursery culture. Growth media with lower water regimen and high penetration resistance caused a reduction in lengths of the white and condensed tannin (CT) zones and acceleration of development of suberin lamellae in the endodermis. As a possible counter to this reduction in zone lengths, second-order laterals were produced closer to the tips of first-order laterals. This suggested there may be an advantage to producing more shorter roots under stressful conditions. Under outdoor nursery conditions (June to mid-December) the white zone was always a rather small part of the root system surface area (4.5% in December), but it dominated as a provider of cortical plasmalemma surface area (CPSA) in contact with modified soil solution (65% in December) because of its live cortex and capacity to increase nearly three fold the amount of CPSA per unit root length. The CT zone always provided most of the total root surface area (80% in December). Although it had no live cortex, a few cells of the CT zone endodermis remained non-suberized passage cells, perhaps giving this major part of the root system some capacity for ion and water absorption. A late summer increase in CPSA was due largely to the rapid production of mycorrhizae. Root systems were capable of very rapid replacement of roots lost due to undercutting and lateral root pruning. The great variation in CPSA per unit root length contained in the white, mycorrhizal and CT zones suggested a capacity to adapt rapidly to changing conditions.

Relationships between the root system size and its hydraulic properties in white spruce seedlings

Seedlings grown under different N supply were examined for relationships between root system size attributes and its hydraulic properties. These relationships were also studied on seedlings of different stock types (grown in different container types). Measurements with root pressure probes were taken at various times after germination, under applied hydrostatic pressure and non-limiting soil moisture. Different N-treatments and stock types were used solely to produce seedling of different sizes, especially root system sizes. Specific root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) typically declined with an increasing root system size and correlations between Lpr and the root system size attributes were often negative. The flow of water through the root system correlated well with root system size attributes only in young (3–4 month old) seedlings but the correlations were inconsistent among different N treatments and stock types. Neither the root system surface area nor dry weight reliably reflected its ability to absorb and conduct water. Generally, the amount of water delivered through the root system and available for transpiration per unit or leaf surface area or unit of leaf dry weight correlated poorly or negatively with the root system size. Practical and scientific implications of the findings are discussed.

Influences of double aerial CO2 concentration on plant root surface area and viability and infection intensity of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Using recently developed methods for root research, an investigation initiated concerning effects of doubled atmospheric CO2 concentration on root surface area and infection of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in seedlings of maize, wheat and soybean. Results showed that doubled CO2 concentration significantly extended root system surface area and promoted VAM fungal infection intensity and viability. However, interspecific variation existed in these responses. It is suggested that plant community succession would be changed due to altered characteristics of roots among species in the future climate.

A Nondestructive Method for Measuring Root System Surface Area

Abstract In the article “A Nondestructive Method for Measuring Root System Surface Area” by George J. Wulster (HortScience 20:1058–1060, Dec. 1985), the author requests that the following correction be noted: The 3rd line under Gel Construction on p. 1058 should be changed from “… HHR (0.65gm/l) was added slowly to 2 liters … ” to “… HHR (0.65 gm/100 ml) was added slowly to 2 liters …”.

A Nondestructive Method for Measuring Root System Surface Area

Abstract A method is described for obtaining nondestructive estimates of root system surface area. The technique is based on the assumption that the larger the root system, the more gel of a given viscosity will adhere to it. The correlation between gel adherence and 5 parameters of root system size (root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root volume, and root surface area) is established.

Loblolly Pine Growth in Compacted Greenhouse Soils

ABSTRACT A controlled environment greenhouse study was con-ducted to observe root growth and initial seedling establishment of loblolly pine (Pinusa taeda L.) over a range of soil porosities within a uniform soil matrix. Loblolly pine trees were grown for 19 weeks in pots with soil at bulk densities of 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 g/cc. Root and shoot masses, root system surface area, and root collar diameter increased significantly with decreas-ing soil bulk density. Significant differences in tree height appeared the seventh week after planting and con-tinued to increase until harvest at week nineteen.