Root Water Potential Research Articles

Root growth, water potential and yield of irrigated wheat

Root growth, water potential and yield of irrigated wheat

Plant and soil resistance to water flow in faba bean (Vicia faba L. major Harz.)

An experiment was conducted to determine soil and plant resistance to water flow in faba bean under field conditions during the growing season. During each sampling period transpiration flux and leaf water potential measured hourly were used with daily measurements of root and soil water potential to calculate total resistance using Ohm's law analogy. Plant growth, root density and soil water content distributions with depth were measured. Leaf area and root length per plant reached their maximum value during flowering and pod setting (0.31 m2 and 2200 m, respectively), then decreasing until the end of the growing period. Root distribution decreased with depth ranging, on average, between 34.2% (in the 0–0.25 m soil layer) and 18.1% (in the 0.75–1.0 m soil layer). Mean root diameter was 0.6 mm but most of the roots were less than 0.7 mm in diameter. Changes in plant and soil water potentials reflected plant growth characteristics and climatic patterns. The overall relationship between the difference in water potential between soil and leaf and transpiration was linear, with the slope equal to average plant resistance (0.0165 MPa/(cm3 m-1 h-1 10-3). Different regression parameters were obtained for the various measurement days. The water potential difference was inversely related to transpiration at high leaf stomatal resistance and at high values of VPD. Total resistance decreased with transpiration flux in a linear relationship (r=−0.68). Different slope values were obtained for the different measurement days. Estimated soil resistance was much lower than the observed total resistance to water flow. The change from vegetative growth to pod filling was accompanied by an increase in plant resistance. The experimental results support previous findings that resistance to water flow through plants is not constant but is influenced by plant age, growth stage and environmental conditions. A more complex model than Ohm's law analogy may be necessary for describing the dynamic flow system under field conditions.

Modeling soil–root water transport and competition for single and mixed crops

A knowledge of above and below ground plant interactions for water is essential to understand the performance of intercropped systems. In this work, root water potential dynamics and water uptake partitioning were compared between single crops and intercrops, using a simulation model. Four root maps having 498, 364, 431 and 431 soil-root contacts were used. In the first and second cases, single crops with ‘deep’ and ‘surface’ roots were considered, whereas in the third and fourth cases, roots of two mixed crops were simultaneously considered with different row spacing (40 cm and 60 cm). Two soils corresponding to a clay and a silty clay loam were used in the calculations. A total maximum evapotranspiration of 6 mm d-1 for both single or mixed crops was considered, for the mixed crops however, two transpiration distributions between the crops were analyzed (3:3 mm d-1, or 4:2 mm d-1 for each crop, respectively). The model was based on a previous theoretical framework applied to single or intercropped plants having spatially distributed roots in a two-dimensional domain. Although water stress occurred more rapidly in the loam than in the clay, due to the rapid decrease of the soil water reserve in the loam, the role of the root arrangement appeared to be crucial for water availability. Interactions between the distribution of transpiration among mixed crops and the architecture of the root systems which were in competition led to water movements from zones with one plant to another, or vice versa, which corresponded to specific competition or facilitation effects. Decreasing the distances between roots may increase competition for water, although it may determine greater water potential gradients in the soil that increase lateral or vertical water fluxes in the soil profile. The effects of the root competition on water uptake were quite complicated, depending on both environmental conditions, soil hydrodynamic properties, and time scales. Although some biological adaptive mechanisms were disregarded in the analysis, the physically 2-D based model may be considered as a tool to study the exploitation of environmental heterogeneity at microsite scales.

Accumulation rate of ABA in detached maize roots correlates with root water potential regardless of age and branching order

How much ABA can be supplied by the roots is a key issue for modelling the ABA‐mediated influence of drought on shoot physiology. We quantified accumulation rates of ABA (SABA) in maize roots that were detached from well‐watered plants and dehydrated to various extents by air‐drying. SABA was estimated from changes in ABA content in root segments incubated at constant relative water content (RWC). Categories of root segments, differing in age and branching order, were compared (root branches, and nodal roots subdivided into root tips, subapical unbranched sections, and mature sections). All categories of roots accumulated ABA, including turgid and mature tissues containing no apex. SABA measured in turgid roots changed with root age and among root categories. This variability was largely accounted for by differences in water content among different categories of turgid roots. The response of SABA to changes in root water potential (Ψroot) induced by dehydration was common to root tips, nodal roots and branches of several ages, while this was not the case if root dehydration was expressed in terms of RWC. Differences among root categories in the response of SABA to RWC were due to different RWC values among categories at a given Ψroot, and not to differences in the response of SABA to Ψroot.

Sequence of drought response of maize seedlings in drying soil

Leaf elongation in monocotyledonous plants is sensitive to drought. To better understand the sequence of events in plants subjected to soil drying, leaf elongation and transpiration of maize seedlings (Zea mays L.) of 4 cultivars were monitored continuously and the diurnal courses of the root and leaf water relations were determined. Results from this study indicate the following sequence of drought response: Leaf elongation decreased before changes in the leaf water relations of non‐growing zones of leaf blades were detected and before transpiration decreased. Reductions in leaf elongation preceded changes in the root water potential (ψw). Root ψw was not a very sensitive indicator of soil dryness, whereas the root osmotic potential (ψs) and root turgor (ψp) were more sensitive indicators. The earliest events observed in drying soil were a significant increase in the largest root diameter class (1 720 to 1 960 gm) and a decrease in leaf elongation (P= 0.08) 2 days after withholding water. Significant increases in root length were observed 2 days later. Soil drying increased the number of fine roots with diameters of <240 µm. Slight increases in soil strength did not affect leaf elongation in the drying soil.

Root Anatomical, Physiological, and Morphological Responses to Drought Stress for Tall Fescue Cultivars

Two experiments were conducted to investigate genotypic variations in morphological, anatomical, and physiological responses of roots to drought stress in tall rescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Such information would facilitate breeding programs and management practices for improving turfgrass drought resistance. Tall rescue cultivars ‘Kentucky‐31’ (forage‐type), ‘Mustang’ (turf‐type), ‘MIC18’ (dwarf, turf‐type) were examined under well‐watered or drought‐stress conditions in a greenhouse. Root systems of MIC18 were much shallower and smaller than those of Kentucky‐31 and Mustang under well‐watered conditions. After 7 d of soil drying, root dry weight was significantly lower than that of well‐watered plants for both MIC18 than Kentucky‐31. The reduction in root dry weight, relative to control plants, was greater for MIC18 than Kentucky‐31. Root water potential and turgot pressure were reduced with soil drying, leading to cortical cell shrinkage. Kentucky‐31 roots suffered less turgot loss than those of MIC18 under drying conditions. Specific root length (SRL) and root/shoot ratio increased with soil drying. Greater increases in SRL occurred for Kentucky‐31 than for MIC18. More extensive root hairs developed in plants of Kentucky‐31 and MIC18 stressed for 14 d than in well‐watered plants. Root hairs became less extensive after 28 d of drying. After 14 and 21 d of drying, Kentucky‐31 roots had significantly lower electrolyte leakage than those of MIC18. Cultivar variations in anatomical, morphological, and physiological features of roots accounted for the variability in shoot performance under drought stress noted in a previous study.

Influence of preharvest water stress on postharvest moisture loss of carrots (Daucus carota L.)

SummaryTo understand the relationship between preharvest water stress and postharvest moisture loss, carrot cvs Eagle and Paramount were grown in muck soil in 6 1 pots (eight carrots per pot) in a greenhouse at the University of British Columbia. The plants were watered to field capacity every second day for 5.5 months prior to receiving 100,75,50 and 25% field capacity water stress treatments (for 4.5 weeks), henceforth referred to as low, medium, high and severe water stress respectively. Postharvest moisture loss of carrots stored at 13μC and 32% relative humidity was monitored every second day for three weeks. The percent moisture loss was low in the low water stressed, and high in the severely water stressed carrots of both cultivars. Root crown diameter, weight, and water and osmotic potentials decreased, whereas specific surface area and relative solute leakage increased with increasing preharvest water stress. The results show that carrots adjust to water stress by lowering water and osmotic potentials. Root water potential, followed by relative solute leakage, were the variables which accounted for most of the variation in moisture loss. It is suggested that preharvest water stress lowers membrane integrity of carrot roots, and this may enhance moisture loss during storage.

Relations between leaf and stem water potentials and stomatal conductance in three field-grown woody species

SummarySimultaneous measurements of stomatal conductance (gs), and leaf (ψleaf) and stem (ψstem) water potentials were conducted from 0900 hours to early afternoon on field-grown trees of apple, grapevine and nectarine which received different irrigation rates. The correlations of gs with ψstem (r2 = 0.85, 0.85, 0.79) was significantly higher than those with ψleaf (r2 = 0.51, 0.61, 0.37) for apple, grapevine and nectarine, respectively. The high correlation between gs and ψstem has been explained through a qualitative analysis of a water transport model which takes into account the control of gs by root signals (Tardieu and Davies, 1993). The model suggests that gs, ψleaf, root water potential, root-signal intensity, and transpiration rate are linked in a feedback mechanism which leads to the high correlation of gs and ψstem and causes it to be better than that with ψleaf.

Potassium nutrition and postharvest moisture loss in carrots (Daucus carota L.)

SummaryThe effect of potassium (K) nutrition on the shelf life of carrots (Daucus carota L., cv. Paramount) was studied using a hydroponic system involving rockwool slabs as an inert support. Carrots were grown for 192 d under greenhouse conditions and with 0, 0.1,1.0,10 and 15 mM K supplied in the nutrient medium. Increase in K concentration in the nutrient medium up to 1 mM decreased postharvest moisture loss. Carrot root weight and tissue K concentration increased, and water potential, osmotic potential and relative solute leakage decreased with increasing K concentration up to 1 mM. Concentrations greater than 1 mM had little or no additional effect on postharvest moisture loss, root water and osmotic potentials and relative solute leakage. Root weight did not increase above 10 mM K. The best subset model obtained by backward stepping and the optimum Mallow’s coefficient showed that carrot root weight and relative solute leakage accounted for most of the variation in moisture loss. Root weight correlated negatively and relative solute leakage positively to moisture loss.

Modelling competition for water in intercrops: theory and comparison with field experiments

A knowledge of plant interactions above and below ground with respect to water is essential to understand the performance of intercrop systems. In this study, a physically based framework is proposed to analyse the competition for soil water in the case of intercropped plants. A radiative transfer model, associated with a transpiration-partitioning model based on a modified form of the Penman-Monteith equation, was used to estimate the evaporative demand of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum ( Sorghum vulgare R.) intercrops. In order to model soil–root water transport, the root water potential of each species was calculated so as to minimise the difference between the evaporative demand and the amount of water taken up by each species. A characterisation of the micrometeorological conditions (net radiation, photosynthetically active radiation, air temperature and humidity, rain), plant water relations (leaf area index, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, sap flow measurements), as well as the two-component root systems and water balance (soil–root impacts, soil evaporation) was carried out during a 7-day experiment with densities of about 4.2 plant m-2 for both maize and sorghum. Comparison of the measured and calculated transpiration values shows that the slopes of the measured versus predicted regression lines for hourly transpiration were 0.823 and 0.778 for maize and sorghum, respectively. Overall trends in the variation of volumetric water content profiles are also reasonably well described. This model could be useful for analysing competition where several root systems are present under various environmental conditions.

Response of the water status of soybean to changes in soil water potentials controlled by the water pressure in microporous tubes

Water transport through a microporous tube-soil-plant system was investigated by measuring the response of soil and plant water status to step change reductions in the water pressure within the tubes. Soybeans were germinated and grown in a porous ceramic 'soil' at a porous tube water pressure of -0.5 kpa for 28 d. During this time, the soil matric potential was nearly in equilibrium with tube water pressure. Water pressure in the porous tubes was then reduced to either -1.0, -1.5 or -2.0 kPa. Sap flow rates, leaf conductance and soil, root and leaf water potentials were measured before and after this change. A reduction in porous tube water pressure from -0.5 to -1.0 or -1.5 kPa did not result in any significant change in soil or plant water status. A reduction in porous tube water pressure to -2.0 kPa resulted in significant reductions in sap flow, leaf conductance, and soil, root and leaf water potentials. Hydraulic conductance, calculated as the transpiration rate/delta psi between two points in the water transport pathway, was used to analyse water transport through the tube-soil-plant continuum. At porous tube water pressures of -0.5 to-1.5 kPa soil moisture was readily available and hydraulic conductance of the plant limited water transport. At -2.0 kPa, hydraulic conductance of the bulk soil was the dominant factor in water movement.

The gradient between pre‐dawn rhizoplane and bulk soil matric potentials, and its relation to the pre‐dawn root and leaf water potentials of four species

ABSTRACTUptake of soil water by plants may result in significant gradients between bulk soil and soil in the vicinity of roots. Few experimental studies of water potential gradients in close proximity to roots, and no studies on the relationship of water potential gradients to the root and leaf water potentials, have been conducted. The occurrence and importance of pre‐dawn gradients in the soil and their relation to the pre‐dawn root and leaf water potentials were investigated with seedlings of four species. Pre‐germinated seeds were grown without watering for 7 and lid in a silt loam soil with initial soil matric potentials of ‐0.02, ‐0.1 and ‐0.22 MPa. Significant gradients, independent of the species, were observed only at pre‐dawn soil matric potentials lower than ‐0.25 MPa; the initial soil matric potentials were ‐0.1 MPa. At an initial bulk soil matric potential of ‐0.22 MPa, a steep gradient between bulk and rhizoplane soil was observed after 7 d for maize (Zea mays L. cv. Issa) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Nanus), in contrast to barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Athos) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kolibri). Pre‐dawn root water potentials were usually about the same as the bulk soil matric potential and were higher than the rhizoplane soil matric potential. Pre‐dawn root and leaf water potentials tended to be much higher than rhizoplane soil matric potentials when the latter were lower than ‐0.5 MPa. It is concluded that plants tend to become equilibrated overnight with the wetter bulk soil or with wetter zones in the bulk soil. Plants can thus circumvent negative effects of localized steep pre‐dawn soil matric potential gradients. This may be of considerable importance for water uptake and growth in drying soil.

The critical soil water content and its relation to soil water dynamics

Using an edaphic model that describes the extraction of soil water by plant roots, the occurrence of depletion zones dose to plant roots is demonstrated. These depletion zones affect the root water potential that is needed to maintain a certain transpiration rate. The results show how the critical soil water content depends on soil's hydraulic properties, transpiration rate and root density.

Root cold tolerance of black spruce seedlings: viability tests in relation to survival and regrowth.

Root systems of 6-month-old, cold-hardened, container-grown black spruce seedlings (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were exposed to 0, -5, -10, -15, -20, or -22.5 degrees C. Freezing-induced damage to fine roots, coarse roots and the whole root system was assessed by various viability tests including leakage of electrolytes, leakage of phenolic compounds, water loss, root and shoot water potentials, and live root dry mass. To assess the long-term effects of freezing-induced root damage, seedling survival and regrowth were measured. Leakage of both electrolytes and phenolic compounds differed among fine roots, coarse roots, and whole root systems. In coarse roots and the whole root system, but not in fine roots, leakage of electrolytes, leakage of phenolic compounds, water loss, and root and shoot water potentials were correlated with percentage of live root dry mass which, in turn, was highly correlated with seedling survival and regrowth. Compared with live root dry mass, electrolyte and phenolic leakage, water loss, and root and shoot water potentials were less well correlated with seedling survival and regrowth. Among the viability tests, electrolyte leakage of the whole root system correlated most closely with seedling survival and regrowth. Under freezing conditions that destroyed less than 50% of each seedling's root system, about 70% of the seedlings survived and subsequent growth was little affected, whereas under freezing conditions that destroyed 70% of each seedling's root system, only about 30% of the seedlings survived and subsequent growth was reduced compared with that of undamaged plants.

Effect of Roots on Water Flow in Unsaturated Soils

In recent years, beneficial effects of plants on the remediation of large volumes of slightly contaminated soils have been addressed by various researchers. Water is the main agent moving soluble contaminants in the soil profile, and an important one in transferring contaminants to root surfaces and subsequently to the shoot. Although there are a number of models for water flow in cropped soil, the parameters of the models, which often include rooting density, root permeability, and root water potential, are chosen by trial and error such that an overall model fits the data. Such methods can be tiresome and impractical. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to study the root water interaction of crops by developing a simple predictive technique that is usable in a wide range of applications, such as in-situ plant remediation, for contaminated soil near the surface zone. The simulation model is developed by incorporating a time-specific root distribution model into a vertical unsaturated soil water fl...

Growth, Water Relations, and Accumulation of Organic and Inorganic Solutes in Roots of Maize Seedlings during Salt Stress.

Seedlings of maize (Zea mays L. cv Pioneer 3906), hydroponically grown in the dark, were exposed to NaCl either gradually (salt acclimation) or in one step (salt shock). In the salt-acclimation treatment, root extension was indistinguishable from that of unsalinized controls for at least 6 d at concentrations up to 100 mM NaCl. By contrast, salt shock rapidly inhibited extension, followed by a gradual recovery, so that by 24 h extension rates were the same as for controls, even at 150 mM NaCl. Salt shock caused a rapid decrease in root water and solute potentials for the apical zones, and the estimated turgor potential showed only a small decline; similar but more gradual changes occurred with salt acclimation. The 5-bar decrease in root solute potential with salt shock (150 mM NaCl) during the initial 10 min of exposure could not be accounted for by dehydration, indicating that substantial osmotic adjustment occurred rapidly. Changes in concentration of inorganic solutes (Na+, K+, and Cl-) and organic solutes (proline, sucrose, fructose, and glucose) were measured during salt shock. The contribution of these solutes to changes in root solute potential with salinization was estimated.

Root growth, water potential, and yield of irrigated rice

Root length density (LV), mid-day leaf water potential (Ψleaf) and yield of wheat were studied in 1983 – 1984 and 1984 – 1985 on a Phoolbagh clay loam (Typic Haplaquoll) and on a Beni silty clay loam (Aquic Hapludoll) in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh under naturally fluctuating shallow (0.4 – 0.9 m, SWT) and medium-depth (0.8 – 1.3 m, MWT) water table conditions with six water regimes: rainfed (I0); irrigation at cown root initiation (I1); at crown root initiation and milk (I2); at crown root initiation, maximum tillering and milk (I3); at crown root initiation, maximum tillering, flowering and milk (I4); and at crown root initiation, maximum tillering, flowering, milk and dough (I5). Maximum rooting depth (0.8 m under SWT and 1.05 m under MWT conditions) was attained at the dough stage (115 days after sowing, DAS) and was more strongly influenced by fluctuations in water table depth than by the water regime. For wet regimes (I2– I5), roots were concentrated at and above the water table interface and had greater horizontal development, whereas in dry regimens (I0 and I1), due to deficient moisture conditions in the upper soil layer (0.45 m) they invaded lower horizons and had a greater vertical distribution Ψleaf was not significantly affected by water regime (I1– I5) up to 94 DAS during a wet year (1983 – 1984) and up to 74 DAS during a dry year (1984 – 1985), but was significantly affected thereafter. Grain yields with water regimens I1– I5 during a wet year and for the I2– I5 treatments during a dry year at either water table depth were not significantly different, but there was a (non-significant) trend to lower yield with increasing soil water deficit. Under SWT in I2, the average grain yield wsa 5130 kg ha–1 and under the I3 regime, 5200 kg ha–1. Likewise, under MWT in I3, it was 5188 kg ha–1 and under the I4 regime, 5218 kg ha–1. The results indicate that application of irrigation of more than 120 and 180 mm under SWT and MWT conditions, respectively, did not raise yield. Irrigation given as per schedule I2 under SWT and I3 under MWT conditions in the Tarai situation, appears to be more effective than a very wet regime (I5).

Shoot and root sensitivity of containerized black spruce, white spruce and jack pine seedlings to late fall freezing

Damage to containerized forest seedlings due to freezing can occur in the fall or early winter in Canadian forest nurseries. The following spring, damage to shoots and impairment of growth is observed. The objectives of this experiment were to measure the impact of late fall low temperatures (0° to --30°C) on whole seedlings of the three most common species used for reforestation in Quebec: black spruce (BS), white spruce (WS) and jack pine (JP). Impacts of freezing temperatures on (i) whole seedling and apical bud mortality, (ii) shoot growth and root mortality, (iii) stem electrical resistance, (iv) shoot and root water relations, (v) concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and total sugars in shoots were assessed. JP showed the highest rate of whole seedling mortality while WS showed the highest rate of apical bud mortality. JP was the most severely affected: destruction of the root system at low temperatures as well as a reduction of shoot growth and stem diameter and a decrease (more negative) in shoot and root water potential. WS showed a reduction of shoot growth despite no apparent damage to the root system at low temperatures. BS was not affected by temperatures as low as --30°C. Nutrient and sugar concentrations were not affected by low temperature treatments.

Experiments using split-root chambers on water uptake from soil macropores by sunflowers

The purpose of this study was to use split-root chambers to determine whether sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), which possess high transpirational demand, can preferentially extract macropore water when they are given the option of using either micropore or macropore water. Sunflower plants were grown in split-root chambers with half of their roots in a macroporous soil and half in a microporous soil of identical mineralogy. The two chambers were irrigated with water of different stable hydrogen isotope compositions (δD) (tap water and melted snow water). By measuring the δD of the sunflower xylem sap, it was possible to determine from which soil type the sunflowers were extracting water. It was found that sunflowers did not preferentially extract macropore water. Since sunflower plants possess very high transpiration rates on a whole-plant basis, and because transpiration remains high even under soil drying, we believe sunflower roots must have a consistently very low water potential compared with the soil water potentials of either the macroporous or microporous soils. If root water potentials are sufficiently low, then root water uptake cannot discriminate between macropores and micropores.

Root-soil contact for the desert succulent Agave deserti in wet and drying soil.

To investigate the extent and size of root-soil air gaps that develop during soil drying, resin casts of roots of the desert succulent Agave deserti Engelm. were made in situ for container-grown plants and in the field. Plants that were draughted in containers for 7 and 14 d had 24 and 34% root shrinkage, respectively, leading to root-soil air gaps that would reduce the hydraulic conductivity at the root-soil interface by a factor of about 5. When containers were vibrated during drought, root-soil air gaps were greatly diminished, and the predicted conductivity at the interface was similar to that of the control (moist soil). For plants in the field (4 and 6 wk after the last rainfall), root shrinkage was greater than for container-grown plants, but root-soil contact on the root periphery was greater, which led to a higher predicted hydraulic conductivity at the root-soil interface. To test the hypothesis that root-soil air gaps would help to limit water efflux from roots in drying soil, the water potentials of the soil, root, and shoot of plants from vibrated containers (with gaps eliminated or reduced) and non-vibrated containers were compared. The soil water potential was lower for vibrated containers after 14 d of drought, suggesting more rapid depletion of soil water due to better root-soil contact, and the root water potential was lower as well, suggesting greater water loss by roots in the absence of root-soil air gaps. Thus, air gaps could benefit A. deserti by helping to maintain a higher root water potential in the early stages of drought and later by limiting root water loss at the root-soil interface when the water potential exceeds that of the soil.