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Alrajhi A, Alharbi S, Beecham S, Alotaibi F. Regulation of root growth and elongation in wheat. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1397337. [PMID: 38835859 PMCID: PMC11148372 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1397337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Currently, the control of rhizosphere selection on farms has been applied to achieve enhancements in phenotype, extending from improvements in single root characteristics to the dynamic nature of entire crop systems. Several specific signals, regulatory elements, and mechanisms that regulate the initiation, morphogenesis, and growth of new lateral or adventitious root species have been identified, but much more work remains. Today, phenotyping technology drives the development of root traits. Available models for simulation can support all phenotyping decisions (root trait improvement). The detection and use of markers for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) are effective for enhancing selection efficiency and increasing reproductive genetic gains. Furthermore, QTLs may help wheat breeders select the appropriate roots for efficient nutrient acquisition. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or alignment of sequences can only be helpful when they are associated with phenotypic variation for root development and elongation. Here, we focus on major root development processes and detail important new insights recently generated regarding the wheat genome. The first part of this review paper discusses the root morphology, apical meristem, transcriptional control, auxin distribution, phenotyping of the root system, and simulation models. In the second part, the molecular genetics of the wheat root system, SNPs, TFs, and QTLs related to root development as well as genome editing (GE) techniques for the improvement of root traits in wheat are discussed. Finally, we address the effect of omics strategies on root biomass production and summarize existing knowledge of the main molecular mechanisms involved in wheat root development and elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alrajhi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management, University of South Australia, University of South Australia Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (UniSA STEM), Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia
| | - Saif Alharbi
- The National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simon Beecham
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management, University of South Australia, University of South Australia Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (UniSA STEM), Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia
| | - Fahad Alotaibi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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2
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McLaughlin CM, Li M, Perryman M, Heymans A, Schneider H, Lasky JR, Sawers RJH. Evidence that variation in root anatomy contributes to local adaptation in Mexican native maize. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13673. [PMID: 38468714 PMCID: PMC10925829 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mexican native maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) is adapted to a wide range of climatic and edaphic conditions. Here, we focus specifically on the potential role of root anatomical variation in this adaptation. Given the investment required to characterize root anatomy, we present a machine-learning approach using environmental descriptors to project trait variation from a relatively small training panel onto a larger panel of genotyped and georeferenced Mexican maize accessions. The resulting models defined potential biologically relevant clines across a complex environment that we used subsequently for genotype-environment association. We found evidence of systematic variation in maize root anatomy across Mexico, notably a prevalence of trait combinations favoring a reduction in axial hydraulic conductance in varieties sourced from cooler, drier highland areas. We discuss our results in the context of previously described water-banking strategies and present candidate genes that are associated with both root anatomical and environmental variation. Our strategy is a refinement of standard environmental genome-wide association analysis that is applicable whenever a training set of georeferenced phenotypic data is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloee M. McLaughlin
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Plant BiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Melanie Perryman
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Adrien Heymans
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant PhysiologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
- Earth and Life InstituteUC LouvainLouvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
| | - Hannah Schneider
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyLeibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)SeelandGermany
| | - Jesse R. Lasky
- Department of BiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ruairidh J. H. Sawers
- Department of Plant ScienceThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
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3
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Ragland CJ, Shih KY, Dinneny JR. Choreographing root architecture and rhizosphere interactions through synthetic biology. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1370. [PMID: 38355570 PMCID: PMC10866969 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45272-5] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change is driving extreme changes to the environment, posing substantial threats to global food security and bioenergy. Given the direct role of plant roots in mediating plant-environment interactions, engineering the form and function of root systems and their associated microbiota may mitigate these effects. Synthetic genetic circuits have enabled sophisticated control of gene expression in microbial systems for years and a surge of advances has heralded the extension of this approach to multicellular plant species. Targeting these tools to affect root structure, exudation, and microbe activity on root surfaces provide multiple strategies for the advancement of climate-ready crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carin J Ragland
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kevin Y Shih
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - José R Dinneny
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Sun L, Dong X, Song X. PtrABR1 Increases Tolerance to Drought Stress by Enhancing Lateral Root Formation in Populus trichocarpa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13748. [PMID: 37762051 PMCID: PMC10530772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813748] [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: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Roots are the main organ for water uptake and the earliest part of a plant's response to drought, making them of great importance to our understanding of the root system's response to drought. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms that control root responses to drought stress. Here, we identified and functionally characterized the AP2/ERF family transcription factor (TF) PtrABR1 and the upstream target gene zinc-finger protein TF PtrYY1, which respond to drought stress by promoting the growth and development of lateral roots in Populus trichocarpa. A root-specific induction of PtrABR1 under drought stress was explored. The overexpression of PtrABR1 (PtrABR1-OE) promoted root growth and development, thereby increasing tolerance to drought stress. In addition, PtrYY1 is directly bound to the promoter of PtrABR1 under drought stress, and the overexpression of PtrYY1 (PtrYY1-OE) promoted lateral root growth and development and increased tolerance to drought stress. An RNA-seq analysis of PtrABR1-OE with wild-type (WT) poplar identified PtrGH3.6 and PtrPP2C44, which share the same pattern of expression changes as PtrABR1. A qRT-PCR and cis-element analysis further suggested that PtrGH3.6 and PtrPP2C44 may act as potential downstream targets of PtrABR1 genes in the root response pathway to drought stress. In conclusion, these results reveal a novel drought regulatory pathway in which PtrABR1 regulates the network through the upstream target gene PtrYY1 and the potential downstream target genes PtrGH3.6 and PtrPP2C44, thereby promoting root growth and development and improving tolerance to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (L.S.); (X.D.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xinxin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (L.S.); (X.D.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xingshun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (L.S.); (X.D.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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Liu Z, Li P, Ren W, Chen Z, Olukayode T, Mi G, Yuan L, Chen F, Pan Q. Hybrid performance evaluation and genome-wide association analysis of root system architecture in a maize association population. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2023; 136:194. [PMID: 37606710 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04442-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE The genetic architecture of RSA traits was dissected by GWAS and coexpression networks analysis in a maize association population. Root system architecture (RSA) is a crucial determinant of water and nutrient uptake efficiency in crops. However, the maize genetic architecture of RSA is still poorly understood due to the challenges in quantifying root traits and the lack of dense molecular markers. Here, an association mapping panel including 356 inbred lines were crossed with a common tester, Zheng58, and the test crosses were phenotyped for 12 RSA traits in three locations. We observed a 1.3 ~ sixfold phenotypic variation for measured RSA in the association panel. The association panel consisted of four subpopulations, non-stiff stalk (NSS) lines, stiff stalk (SS), tropical/subtropical (TST), and mixed. Zheng58 × TST has a 2.1% higher crown root number (CRN) and 8.6% less brace root number (BRN) than Zheng58 × NSS and Zheng58 × SS, respectively. Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 1.25 million SNPs and correction for population structure, 191 significant SNPs were identified for root traits. Ninety (47%) of the significant SNPs showed positive allelic effects, and 101 (53%) showed negative effects. Each locus could explain 0.39% to 11.8% of phenotypic variation. By integrating GWAS results and comparing coexpression networks, 26 high-priority candidate genes were identified. Gene GRMZM2G377215, which belongs to the COBRA-like gene family, affected root growth and development. Gene GRMZM2G468657 encodes the aspartic proteinase nepenthesin-1, related to root development and N-deficient response. Collectively, our research provides progress in the genetic dissection of root system architecture. These findings present the further possibility for the genetic improvement of root traits in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Pengcheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wei Ren
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Toluwase Olukayode
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - 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, 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, 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, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 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, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, China.
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Chi W, Chen G, Hu S, Li X, Cheng K, Wang Q, Xia B, Yang Y, Ma Y, Liu T. A small extent of seawater intrusion significantly enhanced Cd uptake by rice in coastal paddy fields. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 458:131945. [PMID: 37421859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Paddy fields located around estuaries suffer from seawater intrusion, and how and to what extent salinity levels influence Cd accumulation in rice grains is still unclear. Pot experiments were carried out by cultivating rice under alternating flooding and drainage conditions with different salinity levels (0.2‰, 0.6‰ and 1.8‰). The Cd availability was greatly enhanced at 1.8‰ salinity due to the competition for binding sites by cations and the formation of Cd complexation with anions, which also contributed to Cd uptake by rice roots. The soil Cd fractions were investigated and found that the Cd availability significantly decreased during flooding stage, while it rapidly increased after soil drainage. During drainage stage, Cd availability was greatly enhanced at 1.8‰ salinity mainly attributed to the formation of CdCln2-n. The kinetic model was established to quantitatively evaluate Cd transformation, and it found that the release of Cd from organic matter and Fe-Mn oxides was greatly enhanced at 1.8‰ salinity. The results of pot experiments showed that there was a significant increase in Cd content in rice roots and grains in the treatment of 1.8‰ salinity, because the increasing salinity induced an increase in Cd availability and upregulation of key genes regulating Cd uptake in rice roots. Our findings elucidated the key mechanisms by which high salinity enhanced Cd accumulation in rice grains, and more attention should be given to the food safety of rice cultivated around estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Chi
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Guojun Chen
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China
| | - Shiwen Hu
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China; SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Kuan Cheng
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China
| | - Bingqing Xia
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China
| | - Yang Yang
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China.
| | - Yibing Ma
- Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, Macao
| | - Tongxu Liu
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR China
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7
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Li X, Wasson AP, Zwart AB, Whan A, Ryan PR, Forrest K, Hayden M, Chin S, Richards R, Delhaize E. Physical Mapping of QTLs for Root Traits in a Population of Recombinant Inbred Lines of Hexaploid Wheat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10492. [PMID: 37445670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310492] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Root architecture is key in determining how effective plants are at intercepting and absorbing nutrients and water. Previously, the wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars Spica and Maringa were shown to have contrasting root morphologies. These cultivars were crossed to generate an F6:1 population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) which was genotyped using a 90 K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) chip. A total of 227 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were grown in soil for 21 days in replicated trials under controlled conditions. At harvest, the plants were scored for seven root traits and two shoot traits. An average of 7.5 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were associated with each trait and, for each of these, physical locations of the flanking markers were identified using the Chinese Spring reference genome. We also compiled a list of genes from wheat and other monocotyledons that have previously been associated with root growth and morphology to determine their physical locations on the Chinese Spring reference genome. This allowed us to determine whether the QTL discovered in our study encompassed genes previously associated with root morphology in wheat or other monocotyledons. Furthermore, it allowed us to establish if the QTL were co-located with the QTL identified from previously published studies. The parental lines together with the genetic markers generated here will enable specific root traits to be introgressed into elite wheat lines. Moreover, the comprehensive list of genes associated with root development, and their physical locations, will be a useful resource for researchers investigating the genetics of root morphology in cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Li
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Anton P Wasson
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | | | - Alex Whan
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Peter R Ryan
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Kerrie Forrest
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Matthew Hayden
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Sabrina Chin
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel Delhaize
- Australian Plant Phenomics Facility, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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8
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Tanaka W, Yamauchi T, Tsuda K. Genetic basis controlling rice plant architecture and its modification for breeding. BREEDING SCIENCE 2023; 73:3-45. [PMID: 37168811 PMCID: PMC10165344 DOI: 10.1270/jsbbs.22088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The shoot and root system architectures are fundamental for crop productivity. During the history of artificial selection of domestication and post-domestication breeding, the architecture of rice has significantly changed from its wild ancestor to fulfil requirements in agriculture. We review the recent studies on developmental biology in rice by focusing on components determining rice plant architecture; shoot meristems, leaves, tillers, stems, inflorescences and roots. We also highlight natural variations that affected these structures and were utilized in cultivars. Importantly, many core regulators identified from developmental mutants have been utilized in breeding as weak alleles moderately affecting these architectures. Given a surge of functional genomics and genome editing, the genetic mechanisms underlying the rice plant architecture discussed here will provide a theoretical basis to push breeding further forward not only in rice but also in other crops and their wild relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakana Tanaka
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Takaki Yamauchi
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Tsuda
- National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
- Corresponding author (e-mail: )
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9
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Shelden MC, Munns R. Crop root system plasticity for improved yields in saline soils. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1120583. [PMID: 36909408 PMCID: PMC9999379 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1120583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Crop yields must increase to meet the demands of a growing world population. Soil salinization is increasing due to the impacts of climate change, reducing the area of arable land for crop production. Plant root systems are plastic, and their architecture can be modulated to (1) acquire nutrients and water for growth, and (2) respond to hostile soil environments. Saline soils inhibit primary root growth and alter root system architecture (RSA) of crop plants. In this review, we explore how crop root systems respond and adapt to salinity, focusing predominately on the staple cereal crops wheat, maize, rice, and barley, that all play a major role in global food security. Cereal crops are classified as glycophytes (salt-sensitive) however salt-tolerance can differ both between species and within a species. In the past, due to the inherent difficulties associated with visualising and measuring root traits, crop breeding strategies have tended to focus on optimising shoot traits. High-resolution phenotyping techniques now make it possible to visualise and measure root traits in soil systems. A steep, deep and cheap root ideotype has been proposed for water and nitrogen capture. Changes in RSA can be an adaptive strategy to avoid saline soils whilst optimising nutrient and water acquisition. In this review we propose a new model for designing crops with a salt-tolerant root ideotype. The proposed root ideotype would exhibit root plasticity to adapt to saline soils, root anatomical changes to conserve energy and restrict sodium (Na+) uptake, and transport mechanisms to reduce the amount of Na+ transported to leaves. In the future, combining high-resolution root phenotyping with advances in crop genetics will allow us to uncover root traits in complex crop species such as wheat, that can be incorporated into crop breeding programs for yield stability in saline soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. Shelden
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA, Australia
| | - Rana Munns
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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10
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Si Z, Delhaize E, Hendriks PW, Li X. Differences in Root Morphologies of Contrasting Wheat ( Triticum aestivum) Genotypes Are Robust of a Drought Treatment. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:275. [PMID: 36678988 PMCID: PMC9863919 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to assess the effect of water deprivation on root traits and to establish if the wheat cultivars Spica and Maringa would be useful as parental germplasm for a genetic analysis of root traits. Plants were grown in two markedly different soils under well-watered and water-limited treatments in controlled environment growth cabinets. The drought treatment was imposed as a gradual depletion of water over 28 days as seedlings grew from a defined starting moisture content. The root traits analyzed included length, nodal root number, thickness and nodal root angle. The relative differences in traits between genotypes generally proved to be robust in terms of water treatment and soil type. Maringa had a shallower nodal root angle than Spica, which was driven by the nodal roots. By contrast, the seminal roots of Maringa were found to be similar to or even steeper than those of Spica. We conclude that the differences in root traits between Spica and Maringa were robust to the drought treatment and soil types. Phenotyping on well-watered soil is relevant for identifying traits potentially involved in conferring water use efficiency. Furthermore, Spica and Maringa are suitable parental germplasm for developing populations to determine the genetics of key root traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanyun Si
- Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang 453002, China
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Delhaize
- Australian Plant Phenomics Facility, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Pieter-Willem Hendriks
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, 85084 Ellesmere Junction Road, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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