1
|
Gholizadeh S, Nemati I, Vestergård M, Barnes CJ, Kudjordjie EN, Nicolaisen M. Harnessing root-soil-microbiota interactions for drought-resilient cereals. Microbiol Res 2024; 283:127698. [PMID: 38537330 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Cereal plants form complex networks with their associated microbiome in the soil environment. A complex system including variations of numerous parameters of soil properties and host traits shapes the dynamics of cereal microbiota under drought. These multifaceted interactions can greatly affect carbon and nutrient cycling in soil and offer the potential to increase plant growth and fitness under drought conditions. Despite growing recognition of the importance of plant microbiota to agroecosystem functioning, harnessing the cereal root microbiota remains a significant challenge due to interacting and synergistic effects between root traits, soil properties, agricultural practices, and drought-related features. A better mechanistic understanding of root-soil-microbiota associations could lead to the development of novel strategies to improve cereal production under drought. In this review, we discuss the root-soil-microbiota interactions for improving the soil environment and host fitness under drought and suggest a roadmap for harnessing the benefits of these interactions for drought-resilient cereals. These methods include conservative trait-based approaches for the selection and breeding of plant genetic resources and manipulation of the soil environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Gholizadeh
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Iman Nemati
- Department of Plant Production and Genetics Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mette Vestergård
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Christopher James Barnes
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Enoch Narh Kudjordjie
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Mogens Nicolaisen
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McLaughlin CM, Li M, Perryman M, Heymans A, Schneider H, Lasky JR, Sawers RJH. Evidence that variation in root anatomy contributes to local adaptation in Mexican native maize. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13673. [PMID: 38468714 PMCID: PMC10925829 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mexican native maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) is adapted to a wide range of climatic and edaphic conditions. Here, we focus specifically on the potential role of root anatomical variation in this adaptation. Given the investment required to characterize root anatomy, we present a machine-learning approach using environmental descriptors to project trait variation from a relatively small training panel onto a larger panel of genotyped and georeferenced Mexican maize accessions. The resulting models defined potential biologically relevant clines across a complex environment that we used subsequently for genotype-environment association. We found evidence of systematic variation in maize root anatomy across Mexico, notably a prevalence of trait combinations favoring a reduction in axial hydraulic conductance in varieties sourced from cooler, drier highland areas. We discuss our results in the context of previously described water-banking strategies and present candidate genes that are associated with both root anatomical and environmental variation. Our strategy is a refinement of standard environmental genome-wide association analysis that is applicable whenever a training set of georeferenced phenotypic data is available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloee M. McLaughlin
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Plant BiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Melanie Perryman
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Adrien Heymans
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant PhysiologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
- Earth and Life InstituteUC LouvainLouvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
| | - Hannah Schneider
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyLeibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)SeelandGermany
| | - Jesse R. Lasky
- Department of BiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ruairidh J. H. Sawers
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nasr Esfahani M, Sonnewald U. Unlocking dynamic root phenotypes for simultaneous enhancement of water and phosphorus uptake. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 207:108386. [PMID: 38280257 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) and water are crucial for plant growth, but their availability is challenged by climate change, leading to reduced crop production and global food security. In many agricultural soils, crop productivity is confronted by both water and P limitations. The diminished soil moisture decreases available P due to reduced P diffusion, and inadequate P availability diminishes tissue water status through modifications in stomatal conductance and a decrease in root hydraulic conductance. P and water display contrasting distributions in the soil, with P being concentrated in the topsoil and water in the subsoil. Plants adapt to water- and P-limited environments by efficiently exploring localized resource hotspots of P and water through the adaptation of their root system. Thus, developing cultivars with improved root architecture is crucial for accessing and utilizing P and water from arid and P-deficient soils. To meet this goal, breeding towards multiple advantageous root traits can lead to better cultivars for water- and P-limited environments. This review discusses the interplay of P and water availability and highlights specific root traits that enhance the exploration and exploitation of optimal resource-rich soil strata while reducing metabolic costs. We propose root ideotype models, including 'topsoil foraging', 'subsoil foraging', and 'topsoil/subsoil foraging' for maize (monocot) and common bean (dicot). These models integrate beneficial root traits and guide the development of water- and P-efficient cultivars for challenging environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nasr Esfahani
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Uwe Sonnewald
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rahmati Ishka M, Julkowska M. Tapping into the plasticity of plant architecture for increased stress resilience. F1000Res 2023; 12:1257. [PMID: 38434638 PMCID: PMC10905174 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.140649.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant architecture develops post-embryonically and emerges from a dialogue between the developmental signals and environmental cues. Length and branching of the vegetative and reproductive tissues were the focus of improvement of plant performance from the early days of plant breeding. Current breeding priorities are changing, as we need to prioritize plant productivity under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. While it has been widely recognized that plant architecture changes in response to the environment, its contribution to plant productivity in the changing climate remains to be fully explored. This review will summarize prior discoveries of genetic control of plant architecture traits and their effect on plant performance under environmental stress. We review new tools in phenotyping that will guide future discoveries of genes contributing to plant architecture, its plasticity, and its contributions to stress resilience. Subsequently, we provide a perspective into how integrating the study of new species, modern phenotyping techniques, and modeling can lead to discovering new genetic targets underlying the plasticity of plant architecture and stress resilience. Altogether, this review provides a new perspective on the plasticity of plant architecture and how it can be harnessed for increased performance under environmental stress.
Collapse
|
5
|
Cunha Neto IL, Hall BT, Lanba AR, Blosenski JD, Onyenedum JG. Laser ablation tomography (LATscan) as a new tool for anatomical studies of woody plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 239:429-444. [PMID: 36811411 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, botanists study plant anatomy by carefully sectioning samples, histological staining to highlight tissues of interests, then imaging slides under light microscopy. This approach generates significant details; however, this workflow is laborious, particularly in woody vines (lianas) with heterogeneous anatomies, and ultimately yields two-dimensional (2D) images. Laser ablation tomography (LATscan) is a high-throughput imaging system that yields hundreds of images per minute. This method has proven useful for studying the structure of delicate plant tissues; however, its utility in understanding the structure of woody tissues is underexplored. We report LATscan-derived anatomical data from several stems of lianas (c. 20 mm) of seven species and compare these results with those obtained through traditional anatomical techniques. LATscan successfully allows the description of tissue composition by differentiating cell type, size, and shape, but also permits the recognition of distinct cell wall composition (e.g. lignin, suberin, cellulose) based on differential fluorescent signals on unstained samples. LATscan generate high-quality 2D images and 3D reconstructions of woody plant samples; therefore, this new technology is useful for both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This high-throughput imaging technology has the potential to bolster phenotyping of vegetative and reproductive anatomy, wood anatomy, and other biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Israel L Cunha Neto
- School of Integrative Plant Sciences and L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, NY, 14853, Ithaca, USA
| | - Benjamin T Hall
- Laser for Innovative Solutions (L4iS), Suite 261, 200 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, 16803, USA
| | - Asheesh R Lanba
- Laser for Innovative Solutions (L4iS), Suite 261, 200 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, 16803, USA
- Department of Engineering, University of Southern Maine, 37 College Ave., Gorham, ME, 04038, USA
| | - Joshua D Blosenski
- Laser for Innovative Solutions (L4iS), Suite 261, 200 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, 16803, USA
| | - Joyce G Onyenedum
- School of Integrative Plant Sciences and L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, NY, 14853, Ithaca, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sidhu JS, Ajmera I, Arya S, Lynch JP. RootSlice-A novel functional-structural model for root anatomical phenotypes. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:1671-1690. [PMID: 36708192 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Root anatomy is an important determinant of root metabolic costs, soil exploration, and soil resource capture. Root anatomy varies substantially within and among plant species. RootSlice is a multicellular functional-structural model of root anatomy developed to facilitate the analysis and understanding of root anatomical phenotypes. RootSlice can capture phenotypically accurate root anatomy in three dimensions of different root classes and developmental zones, of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species. Several case studies are presented illustrating the capabilities of the model. For maize nodal roots, the model illustrated the role of vacuole expansion in cell elongation; and confirmed the individual and synergistic role of increasing root cortical aerenchyma and reducing the number of cortical cell files in reducing root metabolic costs. Integration of RootSlice for different root zones as the temporal properties of the nodal roots in the whole-plant and soil model OpenSimRoot/maize enabled the multiscale evaluation of root anatomical phenotypes, highlighting the role of aerenchyma formation in enhancing the utility of cortical cell files for improving plant performance over varying soil nitrogen supply. Such integrative in silico approaches present avenues for exploring the fitness landscape of root anatomical phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jagdeep Singh Sidhu
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ishan Ajmera
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sankalp Arya
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zheng C, Bochmann H, Liu Z, Kant J, Schrey SD, Wojciechowski T, Postma JA. Plant root plasticity during drought and recovery: What do we know and where to go? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1084355. [PMID: 37008469 PMCID: PMC10061088 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1084355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Drought stress is one of the most limiting factors for agriculture and ecosystem productivity. Climate change exacerbates this threat by inducing increasingly intense and frequent drought events. Root plasticity during both drought and post-drought recovery is regarded as fundamental to understanding plant climate resilience and maximizing production. We mapped the different research areas and trends that focus on the role of roots in plant response to drought and rewatering and asked if important topics were overlooked. METHODS We performed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis based on journal articles indexed in the Web of Science platform from 1900-2022. We evaluated a) research areas and temporal evolution of keyword frequencies, b) temporal evolution and scientific mapping of the outputs over time, c) trends in the research topics analysis, d) marked journals and citation analysis, and e) competitive countries and dominant institutions to understand the temporal trends of root plasticity during both drought and recovery in the past 120 years. RESULTS Plant physiological factors, especially in the aboveground part (such as "photosynthesis", "gas-exchange", "abscisic-acid") in model plants Arabidopsis, crops such as wheat and maize, and trees were found to be the most popular study areas; they were also combined with other abiotic factors such as salinity, nitrogen, and climate change, while dynamic root growth and root system architecture responses received less attention. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that three clusters were classified for the keywords including 1) photosynthesis response; 2) physiological traits tolerance (e.g. abscisic acid); 3) root hydraulic transport. Thematically, themes evolved from classical agricultural and ecological research via molecular physiology to root plasticity during drought and recovery. The most productive (number of publications) and cited countries and institutions were situated on drylands in the USA, China, and Australia. In the past decades, scientists approached the topic mostly from a soil-plant hydraulic perspective and strongly focused on aboveground physiological regulation, whereas the actual belowground processes seemed to have been the elephant in the room. There is a strong need for better investigation into root and rhizosphere traits during drought and recovery using novel root phenotyping methods and mathematical modeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Zheng
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helena Bochmann
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Zhaogang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Josefine Kant
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Silvia D. Schrey
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Tobias Wojciechowski
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Johannes Auke Postma
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ning J, Yamauchi T, Takahashi H, Omori F, Mano Y, Nakazono M. Asymmetric auxin distribution establishes a contrasting pattern of aerenchyma formation in the nodal roots of Zea nicaraguensis during gravistimulation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1133009. [PMID: 37152158 PMCID: PMC10154625 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1133009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Auxin distribution is essential for determining root developmental patterns. The formation of lateral roots and constitutive aerenchyma, which is a gas space developed through cell death, is regulated by auxin in rice (Oryza sativa). However, it is unclear whether the involvement of auxin in constitutive aerenchyma formation is conserved in other species. In this study, we found that constitutive aerenchyma formation was regulated by auxin in the nodal roots of Zea nicaraguensis, a wild relative of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) grown naturally on frequently flooded coastal plains. Subsequent gravistimulation (root rotation) experiments showed opposite patterns of aerenchyma and lateral root formation. Lateral root formation on the convex side of rotated roots is known to be stimulated by a transient increase in auxin level in the pericycle. We found that aerenchyma formation was accelerated in the cortex on the concave side of the rotated nodal roots of Z. nicaraguensis. A cortex-specific expression analysis of auxin-responsive genes suggested that the auxin level was higher on the concave side than on the convex side. These results suggest that asymmetric auxin distribution underlies the regulation of aerenchyma and lateral root formation in the nodal roots of Z. nicaraguensis. As aerenchyma reduces the respiratory cost of the roots, constitutive aerenchyma on the concave side of the nodal root may balance resource allocation, thereby contributing to the uptake of water and nutrients by newly formed lateral roots. Our study provides insights into auxin-dependent asymmetric root patterning such as that of gravistimulation and hydropatterning response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Ning
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takaki Yamauchi
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Takahashi
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Fumie Omori
- Division of Feed and Livestock Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Mano
- Division of Feed and Livestock Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Mikio Nakazono
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- The University of Western Australia (UWA) School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Mikio Nakazono,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Schneider HM. Functional implications of multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma for soil resource capture and crop improvement. AOB PLANTS 2022; 14:plac050. [PMID: 36545297 PMCID: PMC9762723 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Suboptimal nutrient and water availability are primary constraints to crop growth. Global agriculture requires crops with greater nutrient and water efficiency. Multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma (MCS), a root anatomical trait characterized by small cells with thick cell walls encrusted with lignin in the outer cortex, has been shown to be an important trait for adaptation in maize and wheat in mechanically impeded soils. However, MCS has the potential to improve edaphic stress tolerance in a number of different crop taxa and in a number of different environments. This review explores the functional implications of MCS as an adaptive trait for water and nutrient acquisition and discusses future research perspectives on this trait for incorporation into crop breeding programs. For example, MCS may influence water and nutrient uptake, resistance to pests, symbiotic interactions, microbial interactions in the rhizosphere and soil carbon deposition. Root anatomical phenotypes are underutilized; however, important breeding targets for the development of efficient, productive and resilient crops urgently needed in global agriculture.
Collapse
|
10
|
Strock CF, Schneider HM, Lynch JP. Anatomics: High-throughput phenotyping of plant anatomy. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:520-523. [PMID: 35307268 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anatomics is a novel phenotyping strategy focused on high-throughput imaging and quantification of plant anatomy from field-grown plants. Here we highlight its potential applications for genetic and physiological analysis of plant anatomical phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah M Schneider
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Galindo-Castañeda T, Lynch JP, Six J, Hartmann M. Improving Soil Resource Uptake by Plants Through Capitalizing on Synergies Between Root Architecture and Anatomy and Root-Associated Microorganisms. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:827369. [PMID: 35356114 PMCID: PMC8959776 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.827369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Root architectural and anatomical phenotypes are highly diverse. Specific root phenotypes can be associated with better plant growth under low nutrient and water availability. Therefore, root ideotypes have been proposed as breeding targets for more stress-resilient and resource-efficient crops. For example, root phenotypes that correspond to the Topsoil Foraging ideotype are associated with better plant growth under suboptimal phosphorus availability, and root phenotypes that correspond to the Steep, Cheap and Deep ideotype are linked to better performance under suboptimal availability of nitrogen and water. We propose that natural variation in root phenotypes translates into a diversity of different niches for microbial associations in the rhizosphere, rhizoplane and root cortex, and that microbial traits could have synergistic effects with the beneficial effect of specific root phenotypes. Oxygen and water content, carbon rhizodeposition, nutrient availability, and root surface area are all factors that are modified by root anatomy and architecture and determine the structure and function of the associated microbial communities. Recent research results indicate that root characteristics that may modify microbial communities associated with maize include aerenchyma, rooting angle, root hairs, and lateral root branching density. Therefore, the selection of root phenotypes linked to better plant growth under specific edaphic conditions should be accompanied by investigating and selecting microbial partners better adapted to each set of conditions created by the corresponding root phenotype. Microbial traits such as nitrogen transformation, phosphorus solubilization, and water retention could have synergistic effects when correctly matched with promising plant root ideotypes for improved nutrient and water capture. We propose that elucidation of the interactive effects of root phenotypes and microbial functions on plant nutrient and water uptake offers new opportunities to increase crop yields and agroecosystem sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Galindo-Castañeda
- Sustainable Agroecosystems, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Environmental System Science, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Johan Six
- Sustainable Agroecosystems, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Environmental System Science, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Hartmann
- Sustainable Agroecosystems, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Environmental System Science, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schneider HM, Lor VSN, Hanlon MT, Perkins A, Kaeppler SM, Borkar AN, Bhosale R, Zhang X, Rodriguez J, Bucksch A, Bennett MJ, Brown KM, Lynch JP. Root angle in maize influences nitrogen capture and is regulated by calcineurin B-like protein (CBL)-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 15 (ZmCIPK15). PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:837-853. [PMID: 34169548 PMCID: PMC9544310 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Crops with reduced nutrient and water requirements are urgently needed in global agriculture. Root growth angle plays an important role in nutrient and water acquisition. A maize diversity panel of 481 genotypes was screened for variation in root angle employing a high-throughput field phenotyping platform. Genome-wide association mapping identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with root angle, including one located in the root expressed CBL-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 15 (ZmCIPK15) gene (LOC100285495). Reverse genetic studies validated the functional importance of ZmCIPK15, causing a approximately 10° change in root angle in specific nodal positions. A steeper root growth angle improved nitrogen capture in silico and in the field. OpenSimRoot simulations predicted at 40 days of growth that this change in angle would improve nitrogen uptake by 11% and plant biomass by 4% in low nitrogen conditions. In field studies under suboptimal N availability, the cipk15 mutant with steeper growth angles had 18% greater shoot biomass and 29% greater shoot nitrogen accumulation compared to the wild type after 70 days of growth. We propose that a steeper root growth angle modulated by ZmCIPK15 will facilitate efforts to develop new crop varieties with optimal root architecture for improved performance under edaphic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Schneider
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Vai Sa Nee Lor
- Department of AgronomyUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Meredith T. Hanlon
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Alden Perkins
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - Aditi N. Borkar
- School of Veterinary Medicine and ScienceUniversity of NottinghamSutton BoningtonUK
| | - Rahul Bhosale
- Future Food Beacon of Excellence and School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of AgronomyUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Jonas Rodriguez
- Department of AgronomyUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Alexander Bucksch
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Institute of BioinformaticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Malcolm J. Bennett
- Future Food Beacon of Excellence and School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Kathleen M. Brown
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vanhees DJ, Schneider HM, Sidhu JS, Loades KW, Bengough AG, Bennett MJ, Pandey BK, Brown KM, Mooney SJ, Lynch JP. Soil penetration by maize roots is negatively related to ethylene-induced thickening. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:789-804. [PMID: 34453329 PMCID: PMC9291135 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Radial expansion is a classic response of roots to a mechanical impedance that has generally been assumed to aid penetration. We analysed the response of maize nodal roots to impedance to test the hypothesis that radial expansion is not related to the ability of roots to cross a compacted soil layer. Genotypes varied in their ability to cross the compacted layer, and those with a steeper approach to the compacted layer or less radial expansion in the compacted layer were more likely to cross the layer and achieve greater depth. Root radial expansion was due to cortical cell size expansion, while cortical cell file number remained constant. Genotypes and nodal root classes that exhibited radial expansion in the compacted soil layer generally also thickened in response to exogenous ethylene in hydroponic culture, that is, radial expansion in response to ethylene was correlated with the thickening response to impedance in soil. We propose that ethylene insensitive roots, that is, those that do not thicken and can overcome impedance, have a competitive advantage under mechanically impeded conditions as they can maintain their elongation rates. We suggest that prolonged exposure to ethylene could function as a stop signal for axial root growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorien J. Vanhees
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusLeicestershireUK
- The James Hutton InstituteInvergowrieUK
| | - Hannah M. Schneider
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
- Centre for Crop Systems AnalysisWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Jagdeep Singh Sidhu
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - A. Glyn Bengough
- The James Hutton InstituteInvergowrieUK
- School of Science and EngineeringThe University of DundeeDundeeUK
| | - Malcolm J. Bennett
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusLeicestershireUK
| | - Bipin K. Pandey
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusLeicestershireUK
| | - Kathleen M. Brown
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Sacha J. Mooney
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusLeicestershireUK
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusLeicestershireUK
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen Z, Sun J, Li D, Li P, He K, Ali F, Mi G, Chen F, Yuan L, Pan Q. Plasticity of root anatomy during domestication of a maize-teosinte derived population. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:139-153. [PMID: 34487165 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) has undergone profound changes in root anatomy for environmental adaptation during domestication. However, the genetic mechanism of plasticity of maize root anatomy during the domestication process remains unclear. In this study, high-resolution mapping was performed for nine root anatomical traits using a maize-teosinte population (mexicana × Mo17) across three environments. Large genetic variations were detected for different root anatomical traits. The cortex, stele, aerenchyma areas, xylem vessel number, and cortical cell number had large variations across three environments, indicating high plasticity. Sixteen quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified, including seven QTL with QTL × environment interaction (EIQTL) for high plasticity traits and nine QTL without QTL × environment interaction (SQTL). Most of the root loci were consistent with shoot QTL depicting domestication signals. Combining transcriptome and genome-wide association studies revealed that AUXIN EFFLUX CARRIER PIN-FORMED LIKE 4 (ZmPILS4) serves as a candidate gene underlying a major QTL of xylem traits. The near-isogenic lines (NILs) with lower expression of ZmPILS4 had 18-24% more auxin concentration in the root tips and 8-15% more xylem vessels. Nucleotide diversity values analysis in the promoter region suggested that ZmPILS4 was involved in maize domestication and adaptation. These results revealed the potential genetic basis of root anatomical plasticity during domestication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Junli Sun
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Dongdong Li
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, China
| | - Kunhui He
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Farhan Ali
- Cereal Crops Research Institute, Pirsabak Nowshera, Pakistan
| | - Guohua Mi
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fanjun Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lixing Yuan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qingchun Pan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Contreras-Soto RI, Zacarias Rafael D, Domingos Moiana L, Maldonado C, Mora-Poblete F. Variation in Root-Related Traits Is Associated With Water Uptake in Lagenaria siceraria Genotypes Under Water-Deficit Conditions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:897256. [PMID: 35720562 PMCID: PMC9201500 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.897256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In many agricultural areas, crop production has decreased due to a lack of water availability, which is having a negative impact on sustainability and putting food security at risk. In plants, the plasticity of the root system architecture (RSA) is considered to be a key trait driving the modification of the growth and structure of roots in response to water deficits. The purpose of this study was to examine the plasticity of the RSA traits (mean root diameter, MRD; root volume, RV; root length, RL; and root surface area, SA) associated with drought tolerance in eight Lagenaria siceraria (Mol. Standl) genotypes, representing three different geographical origins: South Africa (BG-58, BG-78, and GC), Asia (Philippines and South Korea), and Chile (Illapel, Chepica, and Osorno). The RSA changes were evaluated at four substrate depths (from 0 to 40 cm). Bottle gourd genotypes were grown in 20 L capacity pots under two contrasting levels of irrigation (well-watered and water-deficit conditions). The results showed that the water productivity (WP) had a significant effect on plasticity values, with the Chilean accessions having the highest values. Furthermore, Illapel and Chepica genotypes presented the highest WP, MRD, and RV values under water-deficit conditions, in which MRD and RV were significant in the deeper layers (20-30 and 30-40 cm). Biplot analysis showed that the Illapel and Chepica genotypes presented a high WP, MRD, and RV, which confirmed that these may be promising drought-tolerant genotypes. Consequently, increased root diameter and volume in bottle gourd may constitute a response to a water deficit. The RSA traits studied here can be used as selection criteria in bottle gourd breeding programs under water-deficit conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Iván Contreras-Soto
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales, Universidad de O' Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | | | | | - Carlos Maldonado
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales, Universidad de O' Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
- *Correspondence: Carlos Maldonado
| | - Freddy Mora-Poblete
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
- Freddy Mora-Poblete
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Schäfer ED, Ajmera I, Farcot E, Owen MR, Band LR, Lynch JP. In silico evidence for the utility of parsimonious root phenotypes for improved vegetative growth and carbon sequestration under drought. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1010165. [PMID: 36466274 PMCID: PMC9713484 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1010165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Drought is a primary constraint to crop yields and climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of drought stress in the future. It has been hypothesized that crops can be made more resistant to drought and better able to sequester atmospheric carbon in the soil by selecting appropriate root phenotypes. We introduce OpenSimRoot_v2, an upgraded version of the functional-structural plant/soil model OpenSimRoot, and use it to test the utility of a maize root phenotype with fewer and steeper axial roots, reduced lateral root branching density, and more aerenchyma formation (i.e. the 'Steep, Cheap, and Deep' (SCD) ideotype) and different combinations of underlying SCD root phene states under rainfed and drought conditions in three distinct maize growing pedoclimatic environments in the USA, Nigeria, and Mexico. In all environments where plants are subjected to drought stress the SCD ideotype as well as several intermediate phenotypes lead to greater shoot biomass after 42 days. As an additional advantage, the amount of carbon deposited below 50 cm in the soil is twice as great for the SCD phenotype as for the reference phenotype in 5 out of 6 simulated environments. We conclude that crop growth and deep soil carbon deposition can be improved by breeding maize plants with fewer axial roots, reduced lateral root branching density, and more aerenchyma formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ernst D. Schäfer
- Department of Plant Science, Pennysylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ishan Ajmera
- Department of Plant Science, Pennysylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Etienne Farcot
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Markus R. Owen
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Leah R. Band
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, Pennysylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jonathan P. Lynch,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fonta JE, Vejchasarn P, Henry A, Lynch JP, Brown KM. Many paths to one goal: Identifying integrated rice root phenotypes for diverse drought environments. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:959629. [PMID: 36072326 PMCID: PMC9441928 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.959629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Drought is a major source of yield loss in the production of rice (Oryza sativa L.), and cultivars that maintain yield under drought across environments and drought stress scenarios are urgently needed. Root phenotypes directly affect water interception and uptake, so plants with root systems optimized for water uptake under drought would likely exhibit reduced yield loss. Deeper nodal roots that have a low metabolic cost per length (i.e., cheaper roots) via smaller root diameter and/or more aerenchyma and that transport water efficiently through smaller diameter metaxylem vessels may be beneficial during drought. Subsets of the Rice Diversity Panel 1 and Azucena × IR64 recombinant inbred lines were grown in two greenhouse and two rainout shelter experiments under drought stress to assess their shoot, root anatomical, and root architectural phenotypes. Root traits and root trait plasticity in response to drought varied with genotype and environment. The best-performing groups in the rainout shelter experiments had less plasticity of living tissue area in nodal roots than the worst performing groups. Root traits under drought were partitioned into similar groups or clusters via the partitioning-around-medoids algorithm, and this revealed two favorable integrated root phenotypes common within and across environments. One favorable integrated phenotype exhibited many, deep nodal roots with larger root cross-sectional area and more aerenchyma, while the other favorable phenotype exhibited many, deep nodal roots with small root cross-sectional area and small metaxylem vessels. Deeper roots with high theoretical axial hydraulic conductance combined with reduced root metabolic cost contributed to greater shoot biomass under drought. These results reflect how some root anatomical and architectural phenes work in concert as integrated phenotypes to influence the performance of plant under drought stress. Multiple integrated root phenotypes are therefore recommended to be selected in breeding programs for improving rice yield across diverse environments and drought scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E. Fonta
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Plant Biology, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Phanchita Vejchasarn
- Rice Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani Rice Research Center, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
| | - Amelia Henry
- Rice Breeding Innovations Platform, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Brown
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kathleen M. Brown,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Burridge JD, Grondin A, Vadez V. Optimizing Crop Water Use for Drought and Climate Change Adaptation Requires a Multi-Scale Approach. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:824720. [PMID: 35574091 PMCID: PMC9100818 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.824720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Selection criteria that co-optimize water use efficiency and yield are needed to promote plant productivity in increasingly challenging and variable drought scenarios, particularly dryland cereals in the semi-arid tropics. Optimizing water use efficiency and yield fundamentally involves transpiration dynamics, where restriction of maximum transpiration rate helps to avoid early crop failure, while maximizing grain filling. Transpiration restriction can be regulated by multiple mechanisms and involves cross-organ coordination. This coordination involves complex feedbacks and feedforwards over time scales ranging from minutes to weeks, and from spatial scales ranging from cell membrane to crop canopy. Aquaporins have direct effect but various compensation and coordination pathways involve phenology, relative root and shoot growth, shoot architecture, root length distribution profile, as well as other architectural and anatomical aspects of plant form and function. We propose gravimetric phenotyping as an integrative, cross-scale solution to understand the dynamic, interwoven, and context-dependent coordination of transpiration regulation. The most fruitful breeding strategy is likely to be that which maintains focus on the phene of interest, namely, daily and season level transpiration dynamics. This direct selection approach is more precise than yield-based selection but sufficiently integrative to capture attenuating and complementary factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James D. Burridge
- DIADE Group, Cereal Root Systems, Institute de Recherche pour le Développement/Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- *Correspondence: James D. Burridge,
| | - Alexandre Grondin
- DIADE Group, Cereal Root Systems, Institute de Recherche pour le Développement/Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Adaptation des Plantes et Microorganismes Associés aux Stress Environnementaux, Laboratoire Mixte International, Dakar, Senegal
- Centre d’Étude Régional pour l’Amélioration de l’Adaptation à la Sécheresse, Thiès, Senegal
| | - Vincent Vadez
- DIADE Group, Cereal Root Systems, Institute de Recherche pour le Développement/Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Adaptation des Plantes et Microorganismes Associés aux Stress Environnementaux, Laboratoire Mixte International, Dakar, Senegal
- Centre d’Étude Régional pour l’Amélioration de l’Adaptation à la Sécheresse, Thiès, Senegal
- International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India
- Vincent Vadez,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Caetano-Anollés K, Ewers B, Iyer S, Lucas JR, Pavlic TP, Seale AP, Zeng Y. A Minimal Framework for Describing Living Systems: A Multi-Dimensional View of Life Across Scales. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:2053-2065. [PMID: 34387347 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The almost limitless complexity of biology has led to two general approaches to understanding biological phenomena. One approach is dominated by reductionism in which high-level phenomena of whole systems are viewed as emerging from relatively simple and generally understood interactions at a substantially lower level. Although this approach is theoretically general, it can become intractable in practice when attempting to simultaneously explain a wide range of systems. A second approach is for specialists to investigate biological phenomena within one of many different hierarchical levels of description that are separated to decouple from concerns at other levels. Although this approach reduces the explanatory burden on specialists that operate within each level, it also reduces integration from insights gained at other levels. Thus, as beneficial as these approaches have been, they limit the scope and integration of knowledge across scales of biological organization to the detriment of a truly synoptic view of life. The challenge is to find a theoretical and experimental framework that facilitates a broader understanding of the hierarchy of life-providing permeability for the exchange of ideas among disciplinary specialists without discounting the peculiarities that have come to define those disciplines. For this purpose, coarse-grained, scale-invariant properties and resources need to be identified that describe the characteristic features of a living system at all spatiotemporal scales. The approach will be aided by a common vernacular that underscores the realities of biological connections across a wide range of scales. Therefore, in this vision paper, we propose a conceptual approach based on four identified resources-energy, conductance, storage, and information (ECSI)-to reintegrate biological studies with the aim of unifying life sciences under resource limitations. We argue that no functional description of a living system is complete without accounting for at least all four of these resources. Thus, making these resources explicit will help to identify commonalities to aid in transdisciplinary discourse as well as opportunities for integrating among the differently scoped areas of specialized inquiry. The proposed conceptual framework for living systems should be valid across all scales and may uncover potential limitations of existing hypotheses and help researchers develop new hypotheses addressing fundamental processes of life without having to resort to reductionism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brent Ewers
- Department of Botany and Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071 USA
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA
| | - Jeffrey R Lucas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Theodore P Pavlic
- School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering / School of Sustainability / School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Andre P Seale
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Yu Zeng
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866 USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Reeger JE, Wheatley M, Yang Y, Brown KM. Targeted mutation of transcription factor genes alters metaxylem vessel size and number in rice roots. PLANT DIRECT 2021; 5:e00328. [PMID: 34142002 PMCID: PMC8204146 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Root metaxylem vessels are responsible for axial water transport and contribute to hydraulic architecture. Variation in metaxylem vessel size and number can impact drought tolerance in crop plants, including rice, a crop that is particularly sensitive to drought. Identifying and validating candidate genes for metaxylem development would aid breeding efforts for improved varieties for drought tolerance. We identified three transcription factor candidate genes that potentially regulate metaxylem vessel size and number in rice based on orthologous annotations, published expression data, and available root and drought-related QTL data. Single gene knockout mutants were generated for each candidate using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Root metaxylem vessel area and number were analyzed in 6-week-old knockout mutants and wild-type plants under well-watered and drought conditions in the greenhouse. Compared with wild type, LONESOME HIGHWAY (OsLHW) mutants had fewer, smaller metaxylem vessels in shallow roots and more, larger vessels in deep roots in drought conditions, indicating that OsLHW may be a repressor of drought-induced metaxylem plasticity. The AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 15 mutants showed fewer but larger metaxylem vessel area in well-watered conditions, but phenotypes were inconsistent under drought treatment. ORYZA SATIVA HOMEBOX 6 (OSH6) mutants had fewer, smaller metaxylem vessels in well-watered conditions with greater effects on xylem number than size. OSH6 mutants had larger shoots and more, deeper roots than the wild type in well-watered conditions, but there were no differences in performance under drought between mutants and wild type. Though these candidate gene mutants did not exhibit large phenotypic effects, the identification and investigation of candidate genes related to metaxylem traits in rice deepen our understanding of metaxylem development and are needed to facilitate incorporation of favorable alleles into breeding populations to improve drought stress tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E. Reeger
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Plant BiologyHuck Institutes of the Life SciencesPenn State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - Matthew Wheatley
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyHuck Institute of the Life SciencesThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - Yinong Yang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyHuck Institute of the Life SciencesThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - Kathleen M. Brown
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Siddiqui MN, Léon J, Naz AA, Ballvora A. Genetics and genomics of root system variation in adaptation to drought stress in cereal crops. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:1007-1019. [PMID: 33096558 PMCID: PMC7904151 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cereals are important crops worldwide that help meet food demands and nutritional needs. In recent years, cereal production has been challenged globally by frequent droughts and hot spells. A plant's root is the most relevant organ for the plant adaptation to stress conditions, playing pivotal roles in anchorage and the acquisition of soil-based resources. Thus, dissecting root system variations and trait selection for enhancing yield and sustainability under drought stress conditions should aid in future global food security. This review highlights the variations in root system attributes and their interplay with shoot architecture features to face water scarcity and maintain thus yield of major cereal crops. Further, we compile the root-related drought responsive quantitative trait loci/genes in cereal crops including their interspecies relationships using microsynteny to facilitate comparative genomic analyses. We then discuss the potential of an integrated strategy combining genomics and phenomics at genetic and epigenetic levels to explore natural genetic diversity as a basis for knowledge-based genome editing. Finally, we present an outline to establish innovative breeding leads for the rapid and optimized selection of root traits necessary to develop resilient crop varieties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Nurealam Siddiqui
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) – Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Jens Léon
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) – Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ali A Naz
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) – Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Agim Ballvora
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) – Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Schneider HM, Strock CF, Hanlon MT, Vanhees DJ, Perkins AC, Ajmera IB, Sidhu JS, Mooney SJ, Brown KM, Lynch JP. Multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma enhance root penetration in compacted soils. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2012087118. [PMID: 33536333 PMCID: PMC8017984 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012087118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical impedance limits soil exploration and resource capture by plant roots. We examine the role of root anatomy in regulating plant adaptation to mechanical impedance and identify a root anatomical phene in maize (Zea mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) associated with penetration of hard soil: Multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma (MCS). We characterize this trait and evaluate the utility of MCS for root penetration in compacted soils. Roots with MCS had a greater cell wall-to-lumen ratio and a distinct UV emission spectrum in outer cortical cells. Genome-wide association mapping revealed that MCS is heritable and genetically controlled. We identified a candidate gene associated with MCS. Across all root classes and nodal positions, maize genotypes with MCS had 13% greater root lignin concentration compared to genotypes without MCS. Genotypes without MCS formed MCS upon exogenous ethylene exposure. Genotypes with MCS had greater lignin concentration and bending strength at the root tip. In controlled environments, MCS in maize and wheat was associated improved root tensile strength and increased penetration ability in compacted soils. Maize genotypes with MCS had root systems with 22% greater depth and 49% greater shoot biomass in compacted soils in the field compared to lines without MCS. Of the lines we assessed, MCS was present in 30 to 50% of modern maize, wheat, and barley cultivars but was absent in teosinte and wild and landrace accessions of wheat and barley. MCS merits investigation as a trait for improving plant performance in maize, wheat, and other grasses under edaphic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Schneider
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Christopher F Strock
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Meredith T Hanlon
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Dorien J Vanhees
- Division of Agricultural and Environment Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
| | - Alden C Perkins
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Ishan B Ajmera
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Jagdeep Singh Sidhu
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Sacha J Mooney
- Division of Agricultural and Environment Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
- Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Kathleen M Brown
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802;
- Division of Agricultural and Environment Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
- Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lucob-Agustin N, Kawai T, Kano-Nakata M, Suralta RR, Niones JM, Hasegawa T, Inari-Ikeda M, Yamauchi A, Inukai Y. Morpho-physiological and molecular mechanisms of phenotypic root plasticity for rice adaptation to water stress conditions. BREEDING SCIENCE 2021; 71:20-29. [PMID: 33762873 PMCID: PMC7973496 DOI: 10.1270/jsbbs.20106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Different types of water stress severely affect crop production, and the plant root system plays a critical role in stress avoidance. In the case of rice, a cereal crop cultivated under the widest range of soil hydrologic conditions, from irrigated anaerobic conditions to rainfed conditions, phenotypic root plasticity is of particular relevance. Recently, important plastic root traits under different water stress conditions, and their physiological and molecular mechanisms have been gradually understood. In this review, we summarize these plastic root traits and their contributions to dry matter production through enhancement of water uptake under different water stress conditions. We also discuss the physiological and molecular mechanisms regulating the phenotypic plasticity of root systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nonawin Lucob-Agustin
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
- Philippine Rice Research Institute, Central Experiment Station, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 3119, Philippines
| | - Tsubasa Kawai
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Mana Kano-Nakata
- International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Roel R. Suralta
- Philippine Rice Research Institute, Central Experiment Station, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 3119, Philippines
| | - Jonathan M. Niones
- Philippine Rice Research Institute, Central Experiment Station, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 3119, Philippines
| | - Tomomi Hasegawa
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Mayuko Inari-Ikeda
- International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Akira Yamauchi
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Inukai
- International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Schneider HM, Klein SP, Hanlon MT, Nord EA, Kaeppler S, Brown KM, Warry A, Bhosale R, Lynch JP. Genetic control of root architectural plasticity in maize. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:3185-3197. [PMID: 32080722 PMCID: PMC7260711 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Root phenotypes regulate soil resource acquisition; however, their genetic control and phenotypic plasticity are poorly understood. We hypothesized that the responses of root architectural phenes to water deficit (stress plasticity) and different environments (environmental plasticity) are under genetic control and that these loci are distinct. Root architectural phenes were phenotyped in the field using a large maize association panel with and without water deficit stress for three seasons in Arizona and without water deficit stress for four seasons in South Africa. All root phenes were plastic and varied in their plastic response. We identified candidate genes associated with stress and environmental plasticity and candidate genes associated with phenes in well-watered conditions in South Africa and in well-watered and water-stress conditions in Arizona. Few candidate genes for plasticity overlapped with those for phenes expressed under each condition. Our results suggest that phenotypic plasticity is highly quantitative, and plasticity loci are distinct from loci that control phene expression in stress and non-stress, which poses a challenge for breeding programs. To make these loci more accessible to the wider research community, we developed a public online resource that will allow for further experimental validation towards understanding the genetic control underlying phenotypic plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Schneider
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie P Klein
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Meredith T Hanlon
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Eric A Nord
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shawn Kaeppler
- Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kathleen M Brown
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Warry
- Advanced Data Analysis Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rahul Bhosale
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Schneider HM, Lynch JP. Should Root Plasticity Be a Crop Breeding Target? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:546. [PMID: 32499798 PMCID: PMC7243933 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Root phenotypic plasticity has been proposed as a target for the development of more productive crops in variable environments. However, the plasticity of root anatomical and architectural responses to environmental cues is highly complex, and the consequences of these responses for plant fitness are poorly understood. We propose that root phenotypic plasticity may be beneficial in natural or low-input systems in which the availability of soil resources is spatiotemporally dynamic. Crop ancestors and landraces were selected with multiple stresses, competition, significant root loss and heterogenous resource distribution which favored plasticity in response to resource availability. However, in high-input agroecosystems, the value of phenotypic plasticity is unclear, since human management has removed many of these constraints to root function. Further research is needed to understand the fitness landscape of plastic responses including understanding the value of plasticity in different environments, environmental signals that induce plastic responses, and the genetic architecture of plasticity before it is widely adopted in breeding programs. Phenotypic plasticity has many potential ecological, and physiological benefits, but its costs and adaptive value in high-input agricultural systems is poorly understood and merits further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|