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Zupanič M, Kramberger B. A critical analysis on multifaceted benefits of mixture of cover crops over pure stand. Symbiosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-022-00888-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Griffiths M, Delory BM, Jawahir V, Wong KM, Bagnall GC, Dowd TG, Nusinow DA, Miller AJ, Topp CN. Optimisation of root traits to provide enhanced ecosystem services in agricultural systems: A focus on cover crops. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:751-770. [PMID: 34914117 PMCID: PMC9306666 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Roots are the interface between the plant and the soil and play a central role in multiple ecosystem processes. With intensification of agricultural practices, rhizosphere processes are being disrupted and are causing degradation of the physical, chemical and biotic properties of soil. However, cover crops, a group of plants that provide ecosystem services, can be utilised during fallow periods or used as an intercrop to restore soil health. The effectiveness of ecosystem services provided by cover crops varies widely as very little breeding has occurred in these species. Improvement of ecosystem service performance is rarely considered as a breeding trait due to the complexities and challenges of belowground evaluation. Advancements in root phenotyping and genetic tools are critical in accelerating ecosystem service improvement in cover crops. In this study, we provide an overview of the range of belowground ecosystem services provided by cover crop roots: (1) soil structural remediation, (2) capture of soil resources and (3) maintenance of the rhizosphere and building of organic matter content. Based on the ecosystem services described, we outline current and promising phenotyping technologies and breeding strategies in cover crops that can enhance agricultural sustainability through improvement of root traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kong M. Wong
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Tyler G. Dowd
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Allison J. Miller
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of BiologySaint Louis UniversitySt. LouisMissouriUSA
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Griffiths M, Wang X, Dhakal K, Guo H, Seethepalli A, Kang Y, York LM. Interactions among rooting traits for deep water and nitrogen uptake in upland and lowland ecotypes of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:967-979. [PMID: 34604906 PMCID: PMC8793874 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The response of plant growth and development to nutrient and water availability is an important adaptation for abiotic stress tolerance. Roots need to intercept both passing nutrients and water while foraging into new soil layers for further resources. Substantial amounts of nitrate can be lost in the field when leaching into groundwater, yet very little is known about how deep rooting affects this process. Here, we phenotyped root system traits and deep 15N nitrate capture across 1.5 m vertical profiles of solid media using tall mesocosms in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a promising cellulosic bioenergy feedstock. Root and shoot biomass traits, photosynthesis and respiration measures, and nutrient uptake and accumulation traits were quantified in response to a water and nitrate stress factorial experiment for switchgrass upland (VS16) and lowland (AP13) ecotypes. The two switchgrass ecotypes shared common plastic abiotic responses to nitrogen (N) and water availability, and yet had substantial genotypic variation for root and shoot traits. A significant interaction between N and water stress combination treatments for axial and lateral root traits represents a complex and shared root development strategy for stress mitigation. Deep root growth and 15N capture were found to be closely linked to aboveground growth. Together, these results represent the wide genetic pool of switchgrass and show that deep rooting promotes nitrate capture, plant productivity, and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Griffiths
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Xueyan Wang
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Kundan Dhakal
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Haichao Guo
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Anand Seethepalli
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Yun Kang
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Larry M York
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
- Biosciences Division and Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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Jia Z, von Wirén N. Signaling pathways underlying nitrogen-dependent changes in root system architecture: from model to crop species. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:4393-4404. [PMID: 31970412 PMCID: PMC7382383 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Among all essential mineral elements, nitrogen (N) is required in the largest amounts and thus is often a limiting factor for plant growth. N is taken up by plant roots in the form of water-soluble nitrate, ammonium, and, depending on abundance, low-molecular weight organic N. In soils, the availability and composition of these N forms can vary over space and time, which exposes roots to various local N signals that regulate root system architecture in combination with systemic signals reflecting the N nutritional status of the shoot. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying N-dependent signaling provides great potential to optimize root system architecture for the sake of higher N uptake efficiency in crop breeding. In this review, we summarize prominent signaling mechanisms and their underlying molecular players that derive from external N forms or the internal N nutritional status and modulate root development including root hair formation and gravitropism. We also compare the current state of knowledge of these pathways between Arabidopsis and graminaceous plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtao Jia
- Molecular Plant Nutrition, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), D-06466 Stadt Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Nicolaus von Wirén
- Molecular Plant Nutrition, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), D-06466 Stadt Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
- Correspondence:
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