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Han Q, Yang Q, Guo B, Kong D. Linking root cell wall width with plant functioning under drought conditions. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:5463-5466. [PMID: 39329184 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
This article comments on:
Sidhu JS, Lopez-Valdivia I, Strock CF, Schneider HM, Lynch JP. 2024. Cortical parenchyma wall width regulates root metabolic cost and maize performance under suboptimal water availability. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae191.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinwen Han
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Qingpei Yang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Binglin Guo
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Deliang Kong
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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Sidhu JS, Lopez-Valdivia I, Strock CF, Schneider HM, Lynch JP. Cortical parenchyma wall width regulates root metabolic cost and maize performance under suboptimal water availability. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:5750-5767. [PMID: 38661441 PMCID: PMC11427841 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
We describe how increased root cortical parenchyma wall width (CPW) can improve tolerance to drought stress in maize by reducing the metabolic costs of soil exploration. Significant variation (1.0-5.0 µm) for CPW was observed in maize germplasm. The functional-structural model RootSlice predicts that increasing CPW from 2 µm to 4 µm is associated with a ~15% reduction in root cortical cytoplasmic volume, respiration rate, and nitrogen content. Analysis of genotypes with contrasting CPW grown with and without water stress in the field confirms that increased CPW is correlated with an ~32-42% decrease in root respiration. Under water stress in the field, increased CPW is correlated with 125% increased stomatal conductance, 325% increased leaf CO2 assimilation rate, 73-78% increased shoot biomass, and 92-108% increased yield. CPW was correlated with leaf mesophyll midrib parenchyma wall width, indicating pleiotropy. Genome-wide association study analysis identified candidate genes underlying CPW. OpenSimRoot modeling predicts that a reduction in root respiration due to increased CPW would also benefit maize growth under suboptimal nitrogen, which requires empirical testing. We propose CPW as a new phene that has utility under edaphic stress meriting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdeep Singh Sidhu
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ivan Lopez-Valdivia
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Christopher F Strock
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hannah M Schneider
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz-Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstr 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Guo C, Zhang K, Sun H, Zhu L, Zhang Y, Wang G, Li A, Bai Z, Liu L, Li C. Root Cortical Senescence Enhances Drought Tolerance in Cotton. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024. [PMID: 39300935 DOI: 10.1111/pce.15161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
The root cortical senescence (RCS) is closely associated with root absorptive function. However, characteristics and responses of RCS to drought stress in cotton have received little attention. This study subjected the drought-tolerant variety 'Guoxin 02' and the drought-sensitive variety 'Ji 228' to drought stress (8% PEG6000) and no-stress (0% PEG6000) treatments to determine the characteristics and responses of cotton RCS to drought stress. The results showed that the greater the distance from the root tip, the more severe the RCS occurrence under drought stress compared with non-stress treatment. The occurrence of RCS in 'Guoxin 02' increased by 14.03%-20.18% compared to 'Ji 228' under drought stress. The RCS was negatively correlated with root respiration but positively correlated with root length and leaf water potential. The silencing of RCS-related genes (GhSAG12 and GhbHLH121) can mitigate the drought-induced RCS phenomenon in cotton; however, reduced drought tolerance. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment can promote RCS generation. Conversely, ABA synthesis exhibits contrasting effects. In summary, endogenous hormones regulated RCS, which reduced the root metabolic and seemingly achieved more resource redistribution to new roots, thereby fully utilize deep water resources. Thus, the study demonstrates the potential of RCS in improving the drought stress tolerance of cotton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Hongchun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Lingxiao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yongjiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Guiyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Anchang Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Zhiying Bai
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Life Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Liantao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Cundong Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation of Hebei Province, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
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Gouran M, Brady SM. The transcriptional integration of environmental cues with root cell type development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024:kiae425. [PMID: 39288006 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Plant roots navigate the soil ecosystem with each cell type uniquely responding to environmental stimuli. Below ground, the plant's response to its surroundings is orchestrated at the cellular level, including morphological and molecular adaptations that shape root system architecture as well as tissue and organ functionality. Our understanding of the transcriptional responses at cell type resolution has been profoundly enhanced by studies of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, both a comprehensive view of the transcriptional basis of these cellular responses to single and combinatorial environmental cues in diverse plant species remains elusive. In this review, we highlight the ability of root cell types to undergo specific anatomical or morphological changes in response to abiotic and biotic stresses or cues and how they collectively contribute to the plant's overall physiology. We further explore interconnections between stress and the temporal nature of developmental pathways and discuss examples of how this transcriptional reprogramming influences cell type identity and function. Finally, we highlight the power of single-cell and spatial transcriptomic approaches to refine our understanding of how environmental factors fine tune root spatiotemporal development. These complex root system responses underscore the importance of spatiotemporal transcriptional mapping, with significant implications for enhanced agricultural resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Gouran
- Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Siobhan M Brady
- Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Klein SP, Kaeppler SM, Brown KM, Lynch JP. Integrating GWAS with a gene co-expression network better prioritizes candidate genes associated with root metaxylem phenes in maize. THE PLANT GENOME 2024:e20489. [PMID: 39034891 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Root metaxylems are phenotypically diverse structures whose function is particularly important under drought stress. Significant research has dissected the genetic machinery underlying metaxylem phenotypes in dicots, but that of monocots are relatively underexplored. In maize (Zea mays), a robust pipeline integrated a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of root metaxylem phenes under well-watered and water-stress conditions with a gene co-expression network to prioritize the strongest gene candidates. We identified 244 candidate genes by GWAS, of which 103 reside in gene co-expression modules most relevant to xylem development. Several candidate genes may be involved in biosynthetic processes related to the cell wall, hormone signaling, oxidative stress responses, and drought responses. Of those, six gene candidates were detected in multiple root metaxylem phenes in both well-watered and water-stress conditions. We posit that candidate genes that are more essential to network function based on gene co-expression (i.e., hubs or bottlenecks) should be prioritized and classify 33 essential genes for further investigation. Our study demonstrates a new strategy for identifying promising gene candidates and presents several gene candidates that may enhance our understanding of vascular development and responses to drought in cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie P Klein
- Interdepartmental Graduate Degree Program in Plant Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shawn M Kaeppler
- Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kathleen M Brown
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Wild AJ, Steiner FA, Kiene M, Tyborski N, Tung SY, Koehler T, Carminati A, Eder B, Groth J, Vahl WK, Wolfrum S, Lueders T, Laforsch C, Mueller CW, Vidal A, Pausch J. Unraveling root and rhizosphere traits in temperate maize landraces and modern cultivars: Implications for soil resource acquisition and drought adaptation. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:2526-2541. [PMID: 38515431 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
A holistic understanding of plant strategies to acquire soil resources is pivotal in achieving sustainable food security. However, we lack knowledge about variety-specific root and rhizosphere traits for resource acquisition, their plasticity and adaptation to drought. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to phenotype root and rhizosphere traits (mean root diameter [Root D], specific root length [SRL], root tissue density, root nitrogen content, specific rhizosheath mass [SRM], arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF] colonization) of 16 landraces and 22 modern cultivars of temperate maize (Zea mays L.). Our results demonstrate that landraces and modern cultivars diverge in their root and rhizosphere traits. Although landraces follow a 'do-it-yourself' strategy with high SRLs, modern cultivars exhibit an 'outsourcing' strategy with increased mean Root Ds and a tendency towards increased root colonization by AMF. We further identified that SRM indicates an 'outsourcing' strategy. Additionally, landraces were more drought-responsive compared to modern cultivars based on multitrait response indices. We suggest that breeding leads to distinct resource acquisition strategies between temperate maize varieties. Future breeding efforts should increasingly target root and rhizosphere economics, with SRM serving as a valuable proxy for identifying varieties employing an outsourcing resource acquisition strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J Wild
- Agroecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Franziska A Steiner
- Soil Science, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Marvin Kiene
- Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Nicolas Tyborski
- Ecological Microbiology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Shu-Yin Tung
- Institute for Agroecology and Organic Farming, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Freising, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Tina Koehler
- Soil Physics, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Physics of Soils and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Carminati
- Physics of Soils and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Eder
- Institute for Crop Science and Plant Breeding, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL), Freising, Germany
| | - Jennifer Groth
- Institute for Crop Science and Plant Breeding, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL), Freising, Germany
| | - Wouter K Vahl
- Institute for Crop Science and Plant Breeding, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL), Freising, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wolfrum
- Institute for Agroecology and Organic Farming, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Freising, Germany
| | - Tillmann Lueders
- Ecological Microbiology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Christian Laforsch
- Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Carsten W Mueller
- Chair of Soil Science, Institute of Ecology, Technische Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alix Vidal
- Soil Biology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Pausch
- Agroecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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Sidhu JS, Lynch JP. Cortical cell size regulates root metabolic cost. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:1343-1357. [PMID: 38340035 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that vacuolar occupancy in mature root cortical parenchyma cells regulates root metabolic cost and thereby plant fitness under conditions of drought, suboptimal nutrient availability, and increased soil mechanical impedance. However, the mechanistic role of vacuoles in reducing root metabolic cost was unproven. Here we provide evidence to support this hypothesis. We first show that root cortical cell size is determined by both cortical cell diameter and cell length. Significant genotypic variation for both cortical cell diameter (~1.1- to 1.5-fold) and cortical cell length (~ 1.3- to 7-fold) was observed in maize and wheat. GWAS and QTL analyses indicate cortical cell diameter and length are heritable and under independent genetic control. We identify candidate genes for both phenes. Empirical results from isophenic lines contrasting for cortical cell diameter and length show that increased cell size, due to either diameter or length, is associated with reduced root respiration, nitrogen content, and phosphorus content. RootSlice, a functional-structural model of root anatomy, predicts that an increased vacuolar: cytoplasmic ratio per unit cortical volume causes reduced root respiration and nutrient content. Ultrastructural imaging of cortical parenchyma cells with varying cortical diameter and cortical cell length confirms the in silico predictions and shows that an increase in cell size is correlated with increased vacuolar volume and reduced cytoplasmic volume. Vacuolar occupancy and its relationship with cell size merits further investigation as a phene for improving crop adaptation to edaphic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdeep Singh Sidhu
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA
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8
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Zhang Y, Wu X, Wang X, Dai M, Peng Y. Crop root system architecture in drought response. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00100-0. [PMID: 38723744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Drought is a natural disaster that profoundly impacts on global agricultural production, significantly reduces crop yields, and thereby poses a severe threat to worldwide food security. Addressing the challenge of effectively improving crop drought resistance (DR) to mitigate yield loss under drought conditions is a global issue. An optimal root system architecture (RSA) plays a pivotal role in enhancing crops' capacity to efficiently uptake water and nutrients, which consequently strengthens their resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we discuss the compositions and roles of crop RSA and summarize the most recent developments in augmenting drought tolerance in crops by manipulating RSA-related genes. Based on the current research, we propose the potential optimal RSA configuration that could be helpful in enhancing crop DR. Lastly, we discussed the existing challenges and future directions for breeding crops with enhanced DR capabilities through genetic improvements targeting RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Crop Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest Cold and Arid Regions, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
| | - Xi Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, HuBei 430070, China
| | - Xingrong Wang
- Crop Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest Cold and Arid Regions, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
| | - Mingqiu Dai
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, HuBei 430070, China.
| | - Yunling Peng
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.
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Li X, He D, White RG, Delhaize E, Ryan PR, Ingvordsen CH, Scafaro AP, Atkin OK, Wasson A, Richards R. Reduced tillering and dwarfing genes alter root traits and rhizo-economics in wheat. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14336. [PMID: 38783514 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The tiller inhibition (tin) and Reduced height (Rht) genes strongly influence the carbon partitioning and architecture of wheat shoots, but their effects on the energy economy of roots have not been examined in detail. We examined multiple root traits in three sets of near-isogenic wheat lines (NILs) that differ in the tin gene or various dwarfing gene alleles (Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht-B1c and Rht-B1b + Rht-D1b) to determine their effects on root structure, anatomy and carbon allocation. The tin gene resulted in fewer tillers but more costly roots in an extreme tin phenotype with a Banks genetic background due to increases in root-to-shoot ratio, total root length, and whole root respiration. However, this effect depended on the genetic background as tin caused both smaller shoots and roots in a different genetic background. The semi-dwarf gene Rht-B1b caused few changes to the root structure, whereas Rht-D1b, Rht-B1c and the double dwarf (Rht-B1b + Rht-D1b) decreased the root biomass. Rht-B1c reduced the energy cost of roots by increasing specific root length, increasing the volume of cortical aerenchyma and by reducing root length, number, and biomass without affecting the root-to-shoot ratio. This work informs researchers using tin and Rht genes how to modify root system architecture to suit specific environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Li
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Di He
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Emmanuel Delhaize
- Australian Plant Phenomics Facility, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Peter R Ryan
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Andrew P Scafaro
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Owen K Atkin
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anton Wasson
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Voothuluru P, Wu Y, Sharp RE. Not so hidden anymore: Advances and challenges in understanding root growth under water deficits. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:1377-1409. [PMID: 38382086 PMCID: PMC11062450 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Limited water availability is a major environmental factor constraining plant development and crop yields. One of the prominent adaptations of plants to water deficits is the maintenance of root growth that enables sustained access to soil water. Despite early recognition of the adaptive significance of root growth maintenance under water deficits, progress in understanding has been hampered by the inherent complexity of root systems and their interactions with the soil environment. We highlight selected milestones in the understanding of root growth responses to water deficits, with emphasis on founding studies that have shaped current knowledge and set the stage for further investigation. We revisit the concept of integrated biophysical and metabolic regulation of plant growth and use this framework to review central growth-regulatory processes occurring within root growth zones under water stress at subcellular to organ scales. Key topics include the primary processes of modifications of cell wall-yielding properties and osmotic adjustment, as well as regulatory roles of abscisic acid and its interactions with other hormones. We include consideration of long-recognized responses for which detailed mechanistic understanding has been elusive until recently, for example hydrotropism, and identify gaps in knowledge, ongoing challenges, and opportunities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Voothuluru
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Plant Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Yajun Wu
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Robert E Sharp
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Plant Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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11
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Mohanta TK, Mohanta YK, Kaushik P, Kumar J. Physiology, genomics, and evolutionary aspects of desert plants. J Adv Res 2024; 58:63-78. [PMID: 37160225 PMCID: PMC10982872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.04.019] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the exposure to arid environmental conditions across the globe ultimately hampering the sustainability of the living organism, few plant species are equipped with several unique genotypic, biochemical, and physiological features to counter such harsh conditions. Physiologically, they have evolved with reduced leaf size, spines, waxy cuticles, thick leaves, succulent hydrenchyma, sclerophyll, chloroembryo, and photosynthesis in nonfoliar and other parts. At the biochemical level, they are evolved to perform efficient photosynthesis through Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and C4 pathways with the formation of oxaloacetic acid (Hatch-Slack pathway) instead of the C3 pathway. Additionally, comparative genomics with existing data provides ample evidence of the xerophytic plants' positive selection to adapt to the arid environment. However, adding more high-throughput sequencing of xerophyte plant species is further required for a comparative genomic study toward trait discovery related to survival. Learning from the mechanism to survive in harsh conditions could pave the way to engineer crops for future sustainable agriculture. AIM OF THE REVIEW The distinct physiology of desert plants allows them to survive in harsh environments. However, the genomic composition also contributes significantly to this and requires great attention. This review emphasizes the physiological and genomic adaptation of desert plants. Other important parameters, such as desert biodiversity and photosynthetic strategy, are also discussed with recent progress in the field. Overall, this review discusses the different features of desert plants, which prepares them for harsh conditions intending to translate knowledge to engineer plant species for sustainable agriculture. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review comprehensively presents the physiology, molecular mechanism, and genomics of desert plants aimed towards engineering a sustainable crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Kumar Mohanta
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 611, Oman.
| | - Yugal Kishore Mohanta
- Dept. of Applied Biology, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, Baridua, Meghalaya 793101, India
| | - Prashant Kaushik
- Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Jitesh Kumar
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
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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.
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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.
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Dwiningsih Y, Thomas J, Kumar A, Gupta C, Gill N, Ruiz C, Alkahtani J, Baisakh N, Pereira A. QTLs and Candidate Loci Associated with Drought Tolerance Traits of Kaybonnet x ZHE733 Recombinant Inbred Lines Rice Population. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15167. [PMID: 37894848 PMCID: PMC10606886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rice is the most important staple crop for the sustenance of the world's population, and drought is a major factor limiting rice production. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of drought-resistance-related traits was conducted on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the self-fed progeny of a cross between the drought-resistant tropical japonica U.S. adapted cultivar Kaybonnet and the drought-sensitive indica cultivar ZHE733. K/Z RIL population of 198 lines was screened in the field at Fayetteville (AR) for three consecutive years under controlled drought stress (DS) and well-watered (WW) treatment during the reproductive stage. The effects of DS were quantified by measuring morphological traits, grain yield components, and root architectural traits. A QTL analysis using a set of 4133 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and the QTL IciMapping identified 41 QTLs and 184 candidate genes for drought-related traits within the DR-QTL regions. RT-qPCR in parental lines was used to confirm the putative candidate genes. The comparison between the drought-resistant parent (Kaybonnet) and the drought-sensitive parent (ZHE733) under DS conditions revealed that the gene expression of 15 candidate DR genes with known annotations and two candidate DR genes with unknown annotations within the DR-QTL regions was up-regulated in the drought-resistant parent (Kaybonnet). The outcomes of this research provide essential information that can be utilized in developing drought-resistant rice cultivars that have higher productivity when DS conditions are prevalent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yheni Dwiningsih
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (Y.D.); (J.T.); (A.K.); (C.R.); (J.A.)
| | - Julie Thomas
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (Y.D.); (J.T.); (A.K.); (C.R.); (J.A.)
| | - Anuj Kumar
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (Y.D.); (J.T.); (A.K.); (C.R.); (J.A.)
| | - Chirag Gupta
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Navdeep Gill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA;
| | - Charles Ruiz
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (Y.D.); (J.T.); (A.K.); (C.R.); (J.A.)
| | - Jawaher Alkahtani
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (Y.D.); (J.T.); (A.K.); (C.R.); (J.A.)
| | - Niranjan Baisakh
- Department of School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | - Andy Pereira
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (Y.D.); (J.T.); (A.K.); (C.R.); (J.A.)
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14
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Lynch JP, Galindo-Castañeda T, Schneider HM, Sidhu JS, Rangarajan H, York LM. Root phenotypes for improved nitrogen capture. PLANT AND SOIL 2023; 502:31-85. [PMID: 39323575 PMCID: PMC11420291 DOI: 10.1007/s11104-023-06301-2] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Background Suboptimal nitrogen availability is a primary constraint for crop production in low-input agroecosystems, while nitrogen fertilization is a primary contributor to the energy, economic, and environmental costs of crop production in high-input agroecosystems. In this article we consider avenues to develop crops with improved nitrogen capture and reduced requirement for nitrogen fertilizer. Scope Intraspecific variation for an array of root phenotypes has been associated with improved nitrogen capture in cereal crops, including architectural phenotypes that colocalize root foraging with nitrogen availability in the soil; anatomical phenotypes that reduce the metabolic costs of soil exploration, improve penetration of hard soil, and exploit the rhizosphere; subcellular phenotypes that reduce the nitrogen requirement of plant tissue; molecular phenotypes exhibiting optimized nitrate uptake kinetics; and rhizosphere phenotypes that optimize associations with the rhizosphere microbiome. For each of these topics we provide examples of root phenotypes which merit attention as potential selection targets for crop improvement. Several cross-cutting issues are addressed including the importance of soil hydrology and impedance, phenotypic plasticity, integrated phenotypes, in silico modeling, and breeding strategies using high throughput phenotyping for co-optimization of multiple phenes. Conclusions Substantial phenotypic variation exists in crop germplasm for an array of root phenotypes that improve nitrogen capture. Although this topic merits greater research attention than it currently receives, we have adequate understanding and tools to develop crops with improved nitrogen capture. Root phenotypes are underutilized yet attractive breeding targets for the development of the nitrogen efficient crops urgently needed in global agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | | | - Hannah M Schneider
- Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 430, 6700AK Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jagdeep Singh Sidhu
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Harini Rangarajan
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Larry M York
- Biosciences Division and Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 USA
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15
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Koehler T, Wankmüller FJP, Sadok W, Carminati A. Transpiration response to soil drying versus increasing vapor pressure deficit in crops: physical and physiological mechanisms and key plant traits. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:4789-4807. [PMID: 37354081 PMCID: PMC10474596 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The water deficit experienced by crops is a function of atmospheric water demand (vapor pressure deficit) and soil water supply over the whole crop cycle. We summarize typical transpiration response patterns to soil and atmospheric drying and the sensitivity to plant hydraulic traits. We explain the transpiration response patterns using a soil-plant hydraulic framework. In both cases of drying, stomatal closure is triggered by limitations in soil-plant hydraulic conductance. However, traits impacting the transpiration response differ between the two drying processes and act at different time scales. A low plant hydraulic conductance triggers an earlier restriction in transpiration during increasing vapor pressure deficit. During soil drying, the impact of the plant hydraulic conductance is less obvious. It is rather a decrease in the belowground hydraulic conductance (related to soil hydraulic properties and root length density) that is involved in transpiration down-regulation. The transpiration response to increasing vapor pressure deficit has a daily time scale. In the case of soil drying, it acts on a seasonal scale. Varieties that are conservative in water use on a daily scale may not be conservative over longer time scales (e.g. during soil drying). This potential independence of strategies needs to be considered in environment-specific breeding for yield-based drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Koehler
- Physics of Soils and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Soil Physics, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Fabian J P Wankmüller
- Physics of Soils and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Walid Sadok
- Agronomy and Plant Genetics, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA
| | - Andrea Carminati
- Physics of Soils and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Rishmawi L, Bauget F, Protto V, Bauland C, Nacry P, Maurel C. Natural variation of maize root hydraulic architecture underlies highly diverse water uptake capacities. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:2404-2418. [PMID: 37052178 PMCID: PMC10315320 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant water uptake is determined by the root system architecture and its hydraulic capacity, which together define the root hydraulic architecture. The current research aims at understanding the water uptake capacities of maize (Zea mays), a model organism and major crop. We explored the genetic variations within a collection of 224 maize inbred Dent lines and successively defined core genotype subsets to access multiple architectural, anatomical, and hydraulic parameters in the primary root (PR) and seminal roots (SR) of hydroponically grown seedlings. We found 9-, 3.5-, and 12.4-fold genotypic differences for root hydraulics (Lpr), PR size, and lateral root size, respectively, that shaped wide and independent variations of root structure and function. Within genotypes, PR and SR showed similarities in hydraulics and, to a lesser extent, in anatomy. They had comparable aquaporin activity profiles that, however, could not be explained by aquaporin expression levels. Genotypic variations in the size and number of late meta xylem vessels were positively correlated with Lpr. Inverse modeling further revealed dramatic genotypic differences in the xylem conductance profile. Thus, tremendous natural variation of maize root hydraulic architecture underlies a high diversity of water uptake strategies and paves the way to quantitative genetic dissection of its elementary traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louai Rishmawi
- IPSiM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Fabrice Bauget
- IPSiM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Virginia Protto
- IPSiM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Cyril Bauland
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, CNRS, AgroParisTech, GQE—Le Moulon, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Philippe Nacry
- IPSiM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Maurel
- IPSiM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
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17
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Feng X, Li S, Meng D, Di Q, Zhou M, Yu X, He C, Yan Y, Wang J, Sun M, Li Y. CsBPC2 is a key regulator of root growth and development. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2023; 175:e13977. [PMID: 37616013 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPCs) transcription factors are important regulators of plant growth and development. However, the regulatory mechanism of BPC2 in roots remains unclear. In our previous study, we created Csbpc2 cucumber mutants by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and our studies on the phenotype of Csbpc2 mutants showed that the root growth was inhibited compared with wide-type (WT). Moreover, the surface area, volume and number of roots decreased significantly, with root system architecture changing from dichotomous branching to herringbone branching. Compared with WT, the leaf growth of the Csbpc2 mutants was not affected. However, the palisade and spongy tissue were significantly thinner, which was not beneficial for photosynthesis. The metabolome of root exudates showed that compared with WT, amino acids and their derivatives were significantly decreased, and the enriched pathways were mainly regulated by amino acids and their derivatives, indicating that knockout of CsBPC2 mainly affected the amino acid content in root exudates. Importantly, transcriptome analysis showed that knockout of CsBPC2 mainly affected root gene expression. Knockout of CsBPC2 significantly reduced the gene expression of gibberellins synthesis. However, the expression of genes related to amino acid synthesis, nitrogen fixation and PSII-related photosynthesis increased significantly, which may be due to the effect of knocking out CsBPC2 on gibberellins synthesis, resulting in the inhibition of seedling growth, thus forming negative feedback regulation. Generally, we showed for the first time that BPC2 is a key regulator gene of root growth and development, laying the foundation for future mechanisms of BPC2 regulation in roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuzhen Li
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable, College of Life Science, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Di Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Di
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengdi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xianchang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoxing He
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mintao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yansu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Li Y, Niu L, Zhou X, Liu H, Tai F, Wang W. Modifying the Expression of Cysteine Protease Gene PCP Affects Pollen Development, Germination and Plant Drought Tolerance in Maize. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087406. [PMID: 37108569 PMCID: PMC10138719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteine proteases (CPs) are vital proteolytic enzymes that play critical roles in various plant processes. However, the particular functions of CPs in maize remain largely unknown. We recently identified a pollen-specific CP (named PCP), which highly accumulated on the surface of maize pollen. Here, we reported that PCP played an important role in pollen germination and drought response in maize. Overexpression of PCP inhibited pollen germination, while mutation of PCP promoted pollen germination to some extent. Furthermore, we observed that germinal apertures of pollen grains in the PCP-overexpression transgenic lines were excessively covered, whereas this phenomenon was not observed in the wild type (WT), suggesting that PCP regulated pollen germination by affecting the germinal aperture structure. In addition, overexpression of PCP enhanced drought tolerance in maize plants, along with the increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes and the decreased numbers of the root cortical cells. Conversely, mutation of PCP significantly impaired drought tolerance. These results may aid in clarifying the precise functions of CPs in maize and contribute to the development of drought-tolerant maize materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Li
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Liangjie Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Hui Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Fuju Tai
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Wei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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Lopez-Valdivia I, Yang X, Lynch JP. Large root cortical cells and reduced cortical cell files improve growth under suboptimal nitrogen in silico. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023:kiad214. [PMID: 37040571 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Suboptimal nitrogen availability is a primary constraint to plant growth. We used OpenSimRoot, a functional-structural plant/soil model, to test the hypothesis that larger root cortical cell size (CCS), reduced cortical cell file number (CCFN), and their interactions with root cortical aerenchyma (RCA) and lateral root branching density (LRBD) are useful adaptations to suboptimal soil nitrogen availability in maize (Zea mays). Reduced CCFN increased shoot dry weight over 80%. Reduced respiration, reduced nitrogen content, and reduced root diameter accounted for 23%, 20%, and 33% of increased shoot biomass, respectively. Large CCS increased shoot biomass by 24% compared with small CCS. When simulated independently, reduced respiration and reduced nutrient content increased the shoot biomass by 14% and 3%, respectively. However, increased root diameter resulting from large CCS decreased shoot biomass by 4% due to an increase in root metabolic cost. Under moderate N stress, integrated phenotypes with reduced CCFN, large CCS, and high RCA improved shoot biomass in silt loam and loamy sand soils. In contrast, integrated phenotypes composed of reduced CCFN, large CCS and reduced lateral root branching density had the greatest growth in silt loam, while phenotypes with reduced CCFN, large CCS and high LRBD were the best performers in loamy sands. Our results support the hypothesis that larger CCS, reduced CCFN, and their interactions with RCA and LRBD could increase nitrogen acquisition by reducing root respiration and root nutrient demand. Phene synergisms may exist between CCS, CCFN, and LRBD. CCS and CCFN merit consideration for breeding cereal crops with improved nitrogen acquisition, which is critical for global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Lopez-Valdivia
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, U.S.A., 16802
| | - Xiyu Yang
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, U.S.A., 16802
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, U.S.A., 16802
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20
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Zhang M, Chen Y, Xing H, Ke W, Shi Y, Sui Z, Xu R, Gao L, Guo G, Li J, Xing J, Zhang Y. Positional cloning and characterization reveal the role of a miRNA precursor gene ZmLRT in the regulation of lateral root number and drought tolerance in maize. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:772-790. [PMID: 36354146 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13408] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lateral roots play essential roles in drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.). However, the genetic basis for the variation in the number of lateral roots in maize remains elusive. Here, we identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL), qLRT5-1, controlling lateral root number using a recombinant inbred population from a cross between the maize lines Zong3 (with many lateral roots) and 87-1 (with few lateral roots). Fine-mapping and functional analysis determined that the candidate gene for qLRT5-1, ZmLRT, expresses the primary transcript for the microRNA miR166a. ZmLRT was highly expressed in root tips and lateral root primordia, and knockout and overexpression of ZmLRT increased and decreased lateral root number, respectively. Compared with 87-1, the ZmLRT gene model of Zong3 lacked the second and third exons and contained a 14 bp deletion at the junction between the first exon and intron, which altered the splicing site. In addition, ZmLRT expression was significantly lower in Zong3 than in 87-1, which might be attributed to the insertions of a transposon and over large DNA fragments in the Zong3 ZmLRT promoter region. These mutations decreased the abundance of mature miR166a in Zong3, resulting in increased lateral roots at the seedling stage. Furthermore, miR166a post-transcriptionally repressed five development-related class-III homeodomain-leucine zipper genes. Moreover, knockout of ZmLRT enhanced drought tolerance of maize seedlings. Our study furthers our understanding of the genetic basis of lateral root number variation in maize and highlights ZmLRT as a target for improving drought tolerance in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yanhong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Agronomy College of Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Hongyan Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources and Utilization (MARA), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Wensheng Ke
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunlu Shi
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhipeng Sui
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Yantai Science and Technology Innovation Promotion Center, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Ruibin Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Maize Research Institute, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Lulu Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ganggang Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources and Utilization (MARA), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jiansheng Li
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiewen Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yirong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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21
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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.
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22
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Xu H, Wang S, Tang L, Wang Y, Li Z, Wang W. Differential influence of cortex and stele components on root tip diameter in different types of tropical climbing plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:961214. [PMID: 36119575 PMCID: PMC9470880 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.961214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Climbing plants are an abundant and taxonomically diverse plant group that competes intensely with trees and thus substantially affects forest diversity and structure. The growth and physiology of climbing plants largely depend on their root tip structure and function. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms through which anatomical traits regulate root tip diameter in climbing plants. Therefore, our study sought to explore the relationships between root tip diameter and seven anatomical traits (e.g., cortex thickness and stele diameter) in three lianas and three vine species sampled from a tropical forest in Hainan. Root tip diameter was significantly positively correlated with cortex thickness (r = 0.94-0.99) and stele diameter (r = 0.72-0.94) within species, especially with cortex thickness. Cortex thickness was significantly positively correlated with mean cortical cell diameter in six species (r = 0.72-0.93), but was only correlated with the number of cortical cell layers in three species (r = 0.42-0.66). Stele diameter displayed significant positive correlations with mean conduit diameter (r = 0.58-0.88) and the number of conduits per stele (r = 0.50-0.66, except for Cyclea hypoglauca), and was negatively correlated with conduit density in all species (r = -0.65 to -0.77). The correlations between cortical cells and conduit traits and root tip diameter were similar to that with cortex thickness and stele diameter, respectively. Compared with vines, liana root tips showed closer relationships between root diameter and cortex thickness and stele diameter, and between cortex thickness and mean diameter of cortical cells. Moreover, the root tip of lianas possesses significantly higher stele proportion and denser conduits, significantly lower cortex proportion, and smaller conduit size than those of vines. However, the specific conductivity was similar. Overall, these results suggest that the cortex is the main driver for the change in root tip diameter rather than the stele. Nevertheless, both factors were responsible for variations in diameter-related traits when compared with number-related traits, with lianas and vines exhibiting distinct regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Siyuan Wang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Liang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Taishan Forest Ecosystem Research Station of State Forestry Administration, State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in downstream areas of the Yellow River, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Zhongyue Li
- Taishan Forest Ecosystem Research Station of State Forestry Administration, State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in downstream areas of the Yellow River, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Wenna Wang
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Shoaib M, Banerjee BP, Hayden M, Kant S. Roots' Drought Adaptive Traits in Crop Improvement. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2256. [PMID: 36079644 PMCID: PMC9460784 DOI: 10.3390/plants11172256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Drought is one of the biggest concerns in agriculture due to the projected reduction of global freshwater supply with a concurrent increase in global food demand. Roots can significantly contribute to improving drought adaptation and productivity. Plants increase water uptake by adjusting root architecture and cooperating with symbiotic soil microbes. Thus, emphasis has been given to root architectural responses and root-microbe relationships in drought-resilient crop development. However, root responses to drought adaptation are continuous and complex processes and involve additional root traits and interactions among themselves. This review comprehensively compiles and discusses several of these root traits such as structural, physiological, molecular, hydraulic, anatomical, and plasticity, which are important to consider together, with architectural changes, when developing drought resilient crop varieties. In addition, it describes the significance of root contribution in improving soil structure and water holding capacity and its implication on long-term resilience to drought. In addition, various drought adaptive root ideotypes of monocot and dicot crops are compared and proposed for given agroclimatic conditions. Overall, this review provides a broader perspective of understanding root structural, physiological, and molecular regulators, and describes the considerations for simultaneously integrating multiple traits for drought tolerance and crop improvement, under specific growing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirza Shoaib
- Agriculture Victoria, Grains Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, VIC 3400, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Bikram P. Banerjee
- Agriculture Victoria, Grains Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, VIC 3400, Australia
| | - Matthew Hayden
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Surya Kant
- Agriculture Victoria, Grains Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, VIC 3400, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
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24
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Balachandar M, Koshila Ravi R, Muthukumar T. Vegetative anatomy and endorrhizal fungal morphology of an endangered medicinal plant Gloriosa superba L. Microsc Res Tech 2022; 85:3296-3308. [PMID: 35751598 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Gloriosa superba L. is of great economic importance due to its high medicinal value. Nevertheless, there is a need to reexamine species delimitation in the Gloriosa taxa as most of the species have been synonymised as G. superba. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the vegetative anatomical traits of G. superba. The leaf, scale leaf, tendril, stem, tuber, and roots of G. superba were freehand sectioned and stained with various staining solutions to record the anatomical structures. The cellular dimensions of each plant part were measured. The present study revealed the presence of intercostal and costal regions in the leaf epidermis, anomocytic stomata on abaxial surface, uniseriate epidermis covered by cuticle, undifferentiated mesophyll, and a bundle sheath surrounding vascular bundles in a leaf. Unlike the leaf, the scale leaf contains air chambers in the mesophyll region and bundle sheath is absent. The tendril had uniseriate cuticularized epidermis followed by few layers of cells developing wall thickenings, and collateral vascular bundles. The mature stem is differentiated from the young stem by the presence of bi-layered epidermis, the absence of stomata on the stem surface, and chlorenchymatous hypodermis. Air passage containing epidermis covered by thin cuticle is recorded in the stem. Starch grains are present in the tuber ground tissue. Velamen is reported for the first time in G. superba root. Scalariform perforation end plate present in root metaxylem. Roots of G. superba are colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophytic fungi. Therefore, these anatomical traits could aid in the identification of G. superba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayakrishnan Balachandar
- Root and Soil Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ravichandran Koshila Ravi
- Root and Soil Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thangavelu Muthukumar
- Root and Soil Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
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25
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Sun C, Liang W, Yan K, Xu D, Qin T, Fiaz S, Kear P, Bi Z, Liu Y, Liu Z, Zhang J, Bai J. Expression of Potato StDRO1 in Arabidopsis Alters Root Architecture and Drought Tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:836063. [PMID: 35665176 PMCID: PMC9161210 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.836063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is the third important crop for providing calories to a large human population, and is considered sensitive to moderately sensitive to drought stress conditions. The development of drought-tolerant, elite varieties of potato is a challenging task, which can be achieved through molecular breeding. Recently, the DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) gene has been identified in rice, which influences plant root system and regulates grain yield under drought stress conditions. The potato StDRO1 protein is mainly localized in the plasma membrane of tobacco leaf cells, and overexpression analysis of StDRO1 in Arabidopsis resulted in an increased lateral root number, but decreased lateral root angle, lateral branch angle, and silique angle. Additionally, the drought treatment analysis indicated that StDRO1 regulated drought tolerance and rescued the defective root architecture and drought-tolerant phenotypes of Atdro1, an Arabidopsis AtDRO1 null mutant. Furthermore, StDRO1 expression was significantly higher in the drought-tolerant potato cultivar "Unica" compared to the drought-sensitive cultivar "Atlantic." The transcriptional response of StDRO1 under drought stress occurred significantly earlier in Unica than in Atlantic. Collectively, the outcome of the present investigation elucidated the role of DRO1 function in the alternation of root architecture, which potentially acts as a key gene in the development of a drought stress-tolerant cultivar. Furthermore, these findings will provide the theoretical basis for molecular breeding of drought-tolerant potato cultivars for the farming community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sun
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Liang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kan Yan
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Derong Xu
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tianyuan Qin
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sajid Fiaz
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Philip Kear
- International Potato Center (CIP), CIP China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP), Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Bi
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuhui Liu
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Junlian Zhang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiangping Bai
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Abstract
Despite their importance in supplying nutrients, root traits related to maize domestication are scarce. We used laser ablation tomography to characterize the root architecture and anatomy of 5,300-y-old maize specimens recovered from San Marcos (Tehuacán, Mexico), revealing exquisite preservation of their cellular organization. Outer cortical cells contained thick and lignified walls typical of extant maize adapted to hard soils. By contrast, the absence of seminal roots is only found in the maize ancestor, teosinte. Two genes important for seminal root development had mutations that could relate to their absence. Our results indicate that some traits related to drought adaptation were not fully present in the earliest maize from Tehuacán, providing clues to conditions prevailing during early maize cultivation. Efforts to understand the phenotypic transition that gave rise to maize from teosinte have mainly focused on the analysis of aerial organs, with little insights into possible domestication traits affecting the root system. Archeological excavations in San Marcos cave (Tehuacán, Mexico) yielded two well-preserved 5,300 to 4,970 calibrated y B.P. specimens (SM3 and SM11) corresponding to root stalks composed of at least five nodes with multiple nodal roots and, in case, a complete embryonic root system. To characterize in detail their architecture and anatomy, we used laser ablation tomography to reconstruct a three-dimensional segment of their nodal roots and a scutellar node, revealing exquisite preservation of the inner tissue and cell organization and providing reliable morphometric parameters for cellular characteristics of the stele and cortex. Whereas SM3 showed multiple cortical sclerenchyma typical of extant maize, the scutellar node of the SM11 embryonic root system completely lacked seminal roots, an attribute found in extant teosinte and in two specific maize mutants: root with undetectable meristem1 (rum1) and rootless concerning crown and seminal roots (rtcs). Ancient DNA sequences of SM10—a third San Marcos specimen of equivalent age to SM3 and SM11—revealed the presence of mutations in the transcribed sequence of both genes, offering the possibility for some of these mutations to be involved in the lack of seminal roots of the ancient specimens. Our results indicate that the root system of the earliest maize from Tehuacán resembled teosinte in traits important for maize drought adaptation.
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27
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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.
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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
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28
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Ndoye MS, Burridge J, Bhosale R, Grondin A, Laplaze L. Root traits for low input agroecosystems in Africa: Lessons from three case studies. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:637-649. [PMID: 35037274 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14256] [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: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In many regions across Africa, agriculture is largely based on low-input and small-holder farming systems that use little inorganic fertilisers and have limited access to irrigation and mechanisation. Improving agricultural practices and developing new cultivars adapted to these environments, where production already suffers from climate change, is a major priority for food security. Here, we illustrate how breeding for specific root traits could improve crop resilience in Africa using three case studies covering very contrasting low-input agroecosystems. We first review how greater basal root whorl number and longer and denser root hairs increased P acquisition efficiency and yield in common bean in South East Africa. We then discuss how water-saving strategies, root hair density and deep root growth could be targeted to improve sorghum and pearl millet yield in West Africa. Finally, we evaluate how breeding for denser root systems in the topsoil and interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could be mobilised to optimise water-saving alternate wetting and drying practices in West African rice agroecosystems. We conclude with a discussion on how to evaluate the utility of root traits and how to make root trait selection feasible for breeders so that improved varieties can be made available to farmers through participatory approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mame S Ndoye
- CERAAS, Thies Escale, Thies, Senegal
- LMI LAPSE, Centre de Recherche ISRA/IRD de Bel Air, Dakar, Senegal
- UMR DIADE, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - James Burridge
- UMR DIADE, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Rahul Bhosale
- Future Food Beacon of Excellence and School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alexandre Grondin
- CERAAS, Thies Escale, Thies, Senegal
- LMI LAPSE, Centre de Recherche ISRA/IRD de Bel Air, Dakar, Senegal
- UMR DIADE, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Laplaze
- LMI LAPSE, Centre de Recherche ISRA/IRD de Bel Air, Dakar, Senegal
- UMR DIADE, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
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29
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Lynch JP, Mooney SJ, Strock CF, Schneider HM. Future roots for future soils. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:620-636. [PMID: 34725839 PMCID: PMC9299599 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical impedance constrains root growth in most soils. Crop cultivation changed the impedance characteristics of native soils, through topsoil erosion, loss of organic matter, disruption of soil structure and loss of biopores. Increasing adoption of Conservation Agriculture in high-input agroecosystems is returning cultivated soils to the soil impedance characteristics of native soils, but in the low-input agroecosystems characteristic of developing nations, ongoing soil degradation is generating more challenging environments for root growth. We propose that root phenotypes have evolved to adapt to the altered impedance characteristics of cultivated soil during crop domestication. The diverging trajectories of soils under Conservation Agriculture and low-input agroecosystems have implications for strategies to develop crops to meet global needs under climate change. We present several root ideotypes as breeding targets under the impedance regimes of both high-input and low-input agroecosystems, as well as a set of root phenotypes that should be useful in both scenarios. We argue that a 'whole plant in whole soil' perspective will be useful in guiding the development of future crops for future soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Sacha J. Mooney
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLeicestershireUK
| | - Christopher F. Strock
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Hannah M. Schneider
- Centre for Crop Systems AnalysisWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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30
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G. Viana W, Scharwies JD, Dinneny JR. Deconstructing the root system of grasses through an exploration of development, anatomy and function. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:602-619. [PMID: 35092025 PMCID: PMC9303260 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Well-adapted root systems allow plants to grow under resource-limiting environmental conditions and are important determinants of yield in agricultural systems. Important staple crops such as rice and maize belong to the family of grasses, which develop a complex root system that consists of an embryonic root system that emerges from the seed, and a postembryonic nodal root system that emerges from basal regions of the shoot after germination. While early seedling establishment is dependent on the embryonic root system, the nodal root system, and its associated branches, gains in importance as the plant matures and will ultimately constitute the bulk of below-ground growth. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the different root types that develop in cereal grass root systems, explore the different physiological roles they play by defining their anatomical features, and outline the genetic networks that control their development. Through this deconstructed view of grass root system function, we provide a parts-list of elements that function together in an integrated root system to promote survival and crop productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - José R. Dinneny
- Department of BiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
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31
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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: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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.
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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
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32
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Colombi T, Chakrawal A, Herrmann AM. Carbon supply-consumption balance in plant roots: effects of carbon use efficiency and root anatomical plasticity. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 233:1542-1547. [PMID: 34227122 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tino Colombi
- Department of Soil & Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7014, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
| | - Arjun Chakrawal
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8C, Frescati, Stockholm, 10691, Sweden
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 10691, Sweden
| | - Anke Marianne Herrmann
- Department of Soil & Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7014, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
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33
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York LM, Griffiths M, Maaz TM. Whole-plant phenotypic engineering: moving beyond ratios for multi-objective optimization of nutrient use efficiency. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102682. [PMID: 35104719 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is typically measured as the ratio of yield to soil nutrient availability but ignores contributions of underlying plant traits. Relevant plant traits can be grouped as root acquisition efficiency, shoot radiation use efficiency, and plant metabolic efficiency. The intentional integration of these traits will lead to synergistic improvements of NUE. Recent progress in trait-focused research includes phenotyping root nutrient uptake rates and respiration, engineering reduced photorespiration, and identification of nutrient assimilation pathways. Traits need to be conceptualized in agricultural systems contexts to improve synchrony of plant demand and soil supply of nutrients, including consideration of crop mixtures. Use of simulation modeling and multi-objective optimization will allow accelerating NUE gains beyond selection for a single ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry M York
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation and Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
| | | | - Tai McClellan Maaz
- Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
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34
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Gojon A, Nussaume L, Luu DT, Murchie EH, Baekelandt A, Rodrigues Saltenis VL, Cohan J, Desnos T, Inzé D, Ferguson JN, Guiderdonni E, Krapp A, Klein Lankhorst R, Maurel C, Rouached H, Parry MAJ, Pribil M, Scharff LB, Nacry P. Approaches and determinants to sustainably improve crop production. Food Energy Secur 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/fes3.369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alain Gojon
- BPMP Institut Agro Univ Montpellier INRAE CNRS Montpellier France
| | - Laurent Nussaume
- UMR7265 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement des Plantes Service de Biologie Végétale et de Microbiologie Environnementales Institut de Biologie Environnementale et Biotechnologie CNRS‐CEA‐Université Aix‐Marseille Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance France
| | - Doan T. Luu
- BPMP Institut Agro Univ Montpellier INRAE CNRS Montpellier France
| | - Erik H. Murchie
- School of Biosciences University of Nottingham Loughborough UK
| | - Alexandra Baekelandt
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Ghent University Ghent Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology Ghent Belgium
| | | | | | - Thierry Desnos
- UMR7265 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement des Plantes Service de Biologie Végétale et de Microbiologie Environnementales Institut de Biologie Environnementale et Biotechnologie CNRS‐CEA‐Université Aix‐Marseille Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance France
| | - Dirk Inzé
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Ghent University Ghent Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology Ghent Belgium
| | - John N. Ferguson
- School of Biosciences University of Nottingham Loughborough UK
- Department of Plant Sciences University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | | | - Anne Krapp
- Institut Jean‐Pierre Bourgin INRAE AgroParisTech Université Paris‐Saclay Versailles France
| | - René Klein Lankhorst
- Wageningen Plant Research Wageningen University & Research Wageningen The Netherlands
| | | | - Hatem Rouached
- BPMP Institut Agro Univ Montpellier INRAE CNRS Montpellier France
- Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | | | - Mathias Pribil
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences Copenhagen Plant Science Centre University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Lars B. Scharff
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences Copenhagen Plant Science Centre University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Philippe Nacry
- BPMP Institut Agro Univ Montpellier INRAE CNRS Montpellier France
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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.
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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
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Hazman MY, Kabil FF. Maize root responses to drought stress depend on root class and axial position. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2022; 135:105-120. [PMID: 34562205 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-021-01348-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study we tested the hypotheses that root classes would exhibit distinctive anatomical and architectural responses to drought stress, and that those responses would vary along the root axes. The root systems of four maize (Zea mays L.) sweet corn genotypes designated SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4 were phenotyped under well-watered and drought treatments in greenhouse mesocosms, permitting increasing stratification of moisture availability as the drought progressed. Anatomical and architectural responses to drought were evaluated for each root class. Lignin distribution was assessed by image processing of UV-illuminated root cross-sections acquired by laser ablation tomography. The two cultivars with less biomass reduction under drought, SC3 and SC4, substantially enhanced lateral root development along the apical segments of axial roots when plants were grown with drought stress. These segments grew into the deeper part of the mesocosm where more moisture was available. Apical segments of the axial and large lateral roots from drought-stressed plants were thicker and had greater theoretical axial water conductance than basal segments, especially in SC3 and SC4. Basal segments of crown roots of SC3 and SC4 showed increased lignification of the stele under drought. Root anatomical and architectural responses to drought are complex and vary among cultivars and root classes, and along root axes. Drought-induced proliferation of lateral roots on apical segments of axial roots would be expected to enhance deep water acquisition, while lignification of axial roots could help preserve axial water transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Y Hazman
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Agricultural Research Centre, 9 Gamma St., Giza, 12619, Egypt.
| | - Farida F Kabil
- Vegetable Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Gamma St., Giza, 12613, Egypt
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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.
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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,
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Lynch JP. Harnessing root architecture to address global challenges. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:415-431. [PMID: 34724260 PMCID: PMC9299910 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Root architecture can be targeted in breeding programs to develop crops with better capture of water and nutrients. In rich nations, such crops would reduce production costs and environmental pollution and, in developing nations, they would improve food security and economic development. Crops with deeper roots would have better climate resilience while also sequestering atmospheric CO2 . Deeper rooting, which improves water and N capture, is facilitated by steeper root growth angles, fewer axial roots, reduced lateral branching, and anatomical phenotypes that reduce the metabolic cost of root tissue. Mechanical impedance, hypoxia, and Al toxicity are constraints to subsoil exploration. To improve topsoil foraging for P, K, and other shallow resources, shallower root growth angles, more axial roots, and greater lateral branching are beneficial, as are metabolically cheap roots. In high-input systems, parsimonious root phenotypes that focus on water capture may be advantageous. The growing prevalence of Conservation Agriculture is shifting the mechanical impedance characteristics of cultivated soils in ways that may favor plastic root phenotypes capable of exploiting low resistance pathways to the subsoil. Root ideotypes for many low-input systems would not be optimized for any one function, but would be resilient against an array of biotic and abiotic challenges. Root hairs, reduced metabolic cost, and developmental regulation of plasticity may be useful in all environments. The fitness landscape of integrated root phenotypes is large and complex, and hence will benefit from in silico tools. Understanding and harnessing root architecture for crop improvement is a transdisciplinary opportunity to address global challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
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Santos TDO, do Amaral Junior AT, Bispo RB, de Lima VJ, Kamphorst SH, Leite JT, dos Santos Júnior DR, Santos PHAD, de Oliveira UA, Schmitt KFM, Campostrini E, Moulin MM, Viana AP, Gravina GDA, Corrêa CCG, Gonçalves GMB. Phenotyping Latin American Open-Pollinated Varieties of Popcorn for Environments with Low Water Availability. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10061211. [PMID: 34203591 PMCID: PMC8232228 DOI: 10.3390/plants10061211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Drought is a common abiotic stress in tropical and subtropical regions that limits the growth and development of agricultural crops, mainly impacting grain yield. Acting through plant breeding is the most viable alternative for obtaining genotypes more tolerant of environments with stress. This work aims to select popcorn genotypes for environments with drought and to identify discriminating traits for the evaluation of drought tolerance in popcorn germplasm. Fifteen Latin American populations of popcorn were evaluated in water stress (WS) and well-watered (WW) conditions. The evaluated traits were based in morpho-agronomic, physiological and radicular descriptors. Data were submitted to individual and joint ANOVA and GT Biplot analysis. Variability was detected between populations for all traits in both conditions. The drought caused a reduction of 30.61% and 3.5% in grain yield and popping expansion, respectively. Based in GT biplot analysis, 880POP was the most stable in WS and WW, being indicated as a promising population for cultivation in environments with water limitation. This study is going to allow the establishment of a collection of great importance to maize germplasm and to provide information to facilitate the process of selection in breeding programs focused on drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talles de Oliveira Santos
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Antônio Teixeira do Amaral Junior
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Rosimeire Barboza Bispo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Valter Jário de Lima
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Samuel Henrique Kamphorst
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Jhean Torres Leite
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Divino Rosa dos Santos Júnior
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Pedro Henrique Araújo Diniz Santos
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Uéliton Alves de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Kátia Fabiane Medeiros Schmitt
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Eliemar Campostrini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Monique Moreira Moulin
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo—Campus de Alegre (IFES), Alegre 29500-000, ES, Brazil;
| | - Alexandre Pio Viana
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Geraldo de Amaral Gravina
- Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Caio Cezar Guedes Corrêa
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
| | - Gabriel Moreno Bernardo Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil; (R.B.B.); (V.J.d.L.); (S.H.K.); (J.T.L.); (D.R.d.S.J.); (P.H.A.D.S.); (U.A.d.O.); (K.F.M.S.); (E.C.); (A.P.V.); (C.C.G.C.); (G.M.B.G.)
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40
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Imran. The bioavailability of phosphorus in composite vs. hybrid maize differ with phosphorus and boron fertilization. PHOSPHORUS SULFUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/10426507.2021.1920588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Imran
- Department of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
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41
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Schneider HM, Yang JT, Brown KM, Lynch JP. Nodal root diameter and node number in maize ( Zea mays L.) interact to influence plant growth under nitrogen stress. PLANT DIRECT 2021; 5:e00310. [PMID: 33748655 PMCID: PMC7963125 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Under nitrogen limitation, plants increase resource allocation to root growth relative to shoot growth. The utility of various root architectural and anatomical phenotypes for nitrogen acquisition are not well understood. Nodal root number and root cross-sectional area were evaluated in maize in field and greenhouse environments. Nodal root number and root cross-sectional area were inversely correlated under both high and low nitrogen conditions. Attenuated emergence of root nodes, as opposed to differences in the number of axial roots per node, was associated with substantially reduced root number. Greater root cross-sectional area was associated with a greater stele area and number of cortical cell files. Genotypes that produced few, thick nodal roots rather than many, thin nodal roots had deeper rooting and better shoot growth in low nitrogen environments. Fewer nodal roots offset the respiratory and nitrogen costs of thicker diameter roots, since total nodal root respiration and nitrogen content was similar for genotypes with many, thin and few, thick nodal roots. We propose that few, thick nodal roots may enable greater capture of deep soil nitrogen and improve plant performance under nitrogen stress. Synergistic interactions between an architectural and anatomical trait may be an important strategy for nitrogen acquisition. Understanding trait interactions among different root nodes has important implications in for improving crop nutrient uptake and stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Schneider
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - Jennifer T. Yang
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
- Present address:
Wellesley CollegeWellesleyMAUSA
| | - Kathleen M. Brown
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
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42
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Host Antony David R, Ramakrishnan M, Maharajan T, BarathiKannan K, Atul Babu G, Daniel MA, Agastian P, Antony Caesar S, Ignacimuthu S. Mining QTL and genes for root traits and biochemical parameters under vegetative drought in South Indian genotypes of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) by association mapping and in silico comparative genomics. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.101935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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43
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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: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [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.
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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
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Liu S, Qin F. Genetic dissection of maize drought tolerance for trait improvement. MOLECULAR BREEDING : NEW STRATEGIES IN PLANT IMPROVEMENT 2021; 41:8. [PMID: 37309476 PMCID: PMC10236036 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-020-01194-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Maize is one of the most important crops, but its production is threatened by drought stress worldwide. Thus, increased drought tolerance has been a major goal of maize breeding. Conventional breeding strategies have led to significantly increase of maize yields; however, these strategies often fail to meet the need for drought stress tolerance enhancement. Here, we focus on progress related to the genetic dissection of drought tolerance in maize at different developmental stages achieved through linkage mapping and association mapping. Moreover, recent molecular breeding systems, including transgenic, genome-wide marker-assisted selection, and genome editing technologies, have provided a more direct, efficient, and accurate approach for trait improvement. We also provide perspectives on future directions regarding multi-omics studies and maize improvement. Overall, the application of acquired knowledge will facilitate maize breeding to meet the challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengxue Liu
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Feng Qin
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
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45
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Liu H, Fiorani F, Jäck O, Colombi T, Nagel KA, Weih M. Shoot and Root Traits Underlying Genotypic Variation in Early Vigor and Nutrient Accumulation in Spring Wheat Grown in High-Latitude Light Conditions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:174. [PMID: 33477661 PMCID: PMC7831908 DOI: 10.3390/plants10010174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants with improved nutrient use efficiency are needed to maintain and enhance future crop plant production. The aim of this study was to explore candidate traits for pre-breeding to improve nutrient accumulation and early vigor of spring wheat grown at high latitudes. We quantified shoot and root traits together with nutrient accumulation in nine contrasting spring wheat genotypes grown in rhizoboxes for 20 days in a greenhouse. Whole-plant relative growth rate was here correlated with leaf area productivity and plant nitrogen productivity, but not leaf area ratio. Furthermore, the total leaf area was correlated with the accumulation of six macronutrients, and could be suggested as a candidate trait for the pre-breeding towards improved nutrient accumulation and early vigor in wheat to be grown in high-latitude environments. Depending on the nutrient of interest, different root system traits were identified as relevant for their accumulation. Accumulation of nitrogen, potassium, sulfur and calcium was correlated with lateral root length, whilst accumulation of phosphorus and magnesium was correlated with main root length. Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to specific root system traits in the breeding of wheat towards improved nutrient accumulation to counteract the suboptimal uptake of some nutrient elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.J.); (M.W.)
| | - Fabio Fiorani
- Institute for Bio and Geosciences-2, Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (F.F.); (K.A.N.)
| | - Ortrud Jäck
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.J.); (M.W.)
| | - Tino Colombi
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Kerstin A. Nagel
- Institute for Bio and Geosciences-2, Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (F.F.); (K.A.N.)
| | - Martin Weih
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.J.); (M.W.)
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46
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Rangarajan H, Lynch JP. A Comparative Analysis of Quantitative Metrics of Root Architecture. PLANT PHENOMICS (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2021; 2021:6953197. [PMID: 33851135 PMCID: PMC8028844 DOI: 10.34133/2021/6953197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
High throughput phenotyping is important to bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype. The methods used to describe the phenotype therefore should be robust to measurement errors, relatively stable over time, and most importantly, provide a reliable estimate of elementary phenotypic components. In this study, we use functional-structural modeling to evaluate quantitative phenotypic metrics used to describe root architecture to determine how they fit these criteria. Our results show that phenes such as root number, root diameter, and lateral root branching density are stable, reliable measures and are not affected by imaging method or plane. Metrics aggregating multiple phenes such as total length, total volume, convex hull volume, and bushiness index estimate different subsets of the constituent phenes; they however do not provide any information regarding the underlying phene states. Estimates of phene aggregates are not unique representations of underlying constituent phenes: multiple phenotypes having phenes in different states could have similar aggregate metrics. Root growth angle is an important phene which is susceptible to measurement errors when 2D projection methods are used. Metrics that aggregate phenes which are complex functions of root growth angle and other phenes are also subject to measurement errors when 2D projection methods are used. These results support the hypothesis that estimates of phenes are more useful than metrics aggregating multiple phenes for phenotyping root architecture. We propose that these concepts are broadly applicable in phenotyping and phenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harini Rangarajan
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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47
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Kong D, Wang J, Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Kardol P. A framework to assess the carbon supply-consumption balance in plant roots. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:659-664. [PMID: 32654148 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Kong
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Change, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110866, China
| | - Junjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | | | - Paul Kardol
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, 90183, Sweden
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48
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Burridge JD, Black CK, Nord EA, Postma JA, Sidhu JS, York LM, Lynch JP. An Analysis of Soil Coring Strategies to Estimate Root Depth in Maize ( Zea mays) and Common Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris). PLANT PHENOMICS (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2020; 2020:3252703. [PMID: 33313549 PMCID: PMC7706327 DOI: 10.34133/2020/3252703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A soil coring protocol was developed to cooptimize the estimation of root length distribution (RLD) by depth and detection of functionally important variation in root system architecture (RSA) of maize and bean. The functional-structural model OpenSimRoot was used to perform in silico soil coring at six locations on three different maize and bean RSA phenotypes. Results were compared to two seasons of field soil coring and one trench. Two one-sided T-test (TOST) analysis of in silico data suggests a between-row location 5 cm from plant base (location 3), best estimates whole-plot RLD/D of deep, intermediate, and shallow RSA phenotypes, for both maize and bean. Quadratic discriminant analysis indicates location 3 has ~70% categorization accuracy for bean, while an in-row location next to the plant base (location 6) has ~85% categorization accuracy in maize. Analysis of field data suggests the more representative sampling locations vary by year and species. In silico and field studies suggest location 3 is most robust, although variation is significant among seasons, among replications within a field season, and among field soil coring, trench, and simulations. We propose that the characterization of the RLD profile as a dynamic rhizo canopy effectively describes how the RLD profile arises from interactions among an individual plant, its neighbors, and the pedosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D. Burridge
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Plant Science, Tyson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Christopher K. Black
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Plant Science, Tyson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Eric A. Nord
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Plant Science, Tyson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, Greenville University, 315 E. College Ave, Greenville, IL 62246, USA
| | - Johannes A. Postma
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio-and Geosciences-Plant Sciences (IBG-2), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jagdeep S. Sidhu
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Plant Science, Tyson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Larry M. York
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Plant Science, Tyson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Lynch
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Plant Science, Tyson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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49
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Strock CF, Lynch JP. Root secondary growth: an unexplored component of soil resource acquisition. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2020; 126:205-218. [PMID: 32588876 PMCID: PMC7523590 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcaa068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite recent progress in elucidating the molecular basis of secondary growth (cambial growth), the functional implications of this developmental process remain poorly understood. Targeted studies exploring how abiotic and biotic factors affect this process, as well as the relevance of secondary growth to fitness of annual dicotyledonous crop species under stress, are almost entirely absent from the literature. Specifically, the physiological role of secondary growth in roots has been completely neglected yet entails a unique array of implications for plant performance that are distinct from secondary growth in shoot tissue. SCOPE Since roots are directly responsible for soil resource capture, understanding of the fitness landscape of root phenotypes is important in both basic and applied plant biology. Interactions between root secondary growth, edaphic conditions and soil resource acquisition may have significant effects on plant fitness. Our intention here is not to provide a comprehensive review of a sparse and disparate literature, but rather to highlight knowledge gaps, propose hypotheses and identify opportunities for novel and agriculturally relevant research pertaining to secondary growth of roots. This viewpoint: (1) summarizes evidence from our own studies and other published work; (2) proposes hypotheses regarding the fitness landscape of secondary growth of roots in annual dicotyledonous species for abiotic and biotic stress; and (3) highlights the importance of directing research efforts to this topic within an agricultural context. CONCLUSIONS Secondary growth of the roots of annual dicots has functional significance with regards to soil resource acquisition and transport, interactions with soil organisms and carbon sequestration. Research on these topics would contribute significantly toward understanding the agronomic value of secondary growth of roots for crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Strock
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan P Lynch
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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50
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Zhang Q, Liu H, Wu X, Wang W. Identification of drought tolerant mechanisms in a drought-tolerant maize mutant based on physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:315. [PMID: 32620139 PMCID: PMC7350183 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02526-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequently occurring drought stress negatively affects the production of maize worldwide. Numerous efforts have been made to develop drought-tolerant maize lines and to explore drought tolerant mechanisms in maize. However, there is a lack of comparative studies on transcriptomic changes between drought-tolerant and control maize lines. RESULTS In the present study, we have developed a drought-tolerant maize mutant (C7-2t) by irradiating the seeds of maize inbred line ChangC7-2 (C7-2) with 60Co-γ. Compared to its wild type C7-2, C7-2t exhibited a significantly delayed wilting and higher drought tolerance under both the controlled and field conditions, indicating its high water-holding ability. Transcriptomic profiling was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between C7-2 and C7-2t during drought. As a result, a total of 4552 DEGs were implied in drought tolerance of C7-2 and C7-2t. In particular, the expression of photosynthesis-related genes in C7-2 was inhibited, whereas these genes in C7-2t were almost unaffected under drought. Moreover, a specific set of the DEGs were involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and taurine (hypotaurine) metabolism in C7-2t; these DEGs were enriched in cell components associated with membrane systems and cell wall biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS The drought tolerance of C7-2t was largely due to its high water-holding ability, stable photosynthesis (for supporting osmoregulation) and strengthened biosynthesis of cell walls under drought conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinbin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Life Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- College of Life Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Life Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
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