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Engelhardt IC, Patko D, Liu Y, Mimault M, de Las Heras Martinez G, George TS, MacDonald M, Ptashnyk M, Sukhodub T, Stanley-Wall NR, Holden N, Daniell TJ, Dupuy LX. Novel form of collective movement by soil bacteria. ISME J 2022; 16:2337-2347. [PMID: 35798939 PMCID: PMC9478162 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01277-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Although migrations are essential for soil microorganisms to exploit scarce and heterogeneously distributed resources, bacterial mobility in soil remains poorly studied due to experimental limitations. In this study, time-lapse images collected using live microscopy techniques captured collective and coordinated groups of B. subtilis cells exhibiting "crowd movement". Groups of B. subtilis cells moved through transparent soil (nafion polymer with particle size resembling sand) toward plant roots and re-arranged dynamically around root tips in the form of elongating and retracting "flocks" resembling collective behaviour usually associated with higher organisms (e.g., bird flocks or fish schools). Genetic analysis reveals B. subtilis flocks are likely driven by the diffusion of extracellular signalling molecules (e.g., chemotaxis, quorum sensing) and may be impacted by the physical obstacles and hydrodynamics encountered in the soil like environment. Our findings advance understanding of bacterial migration through soil matrices and expand known behaviours for coordinated bacterial movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- I C Engelhardt
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
- Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, Neiker, Bilbao, Spain
| | - D Patko
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
- Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, Neiker, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Y Liu
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
- ICS, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
| | - M Mimault
- ICS, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
| | | | - T S George
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
| | - M MacDonald
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - M Ptashnyk
- School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - T Sukhodub
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - N Holden
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK
- North Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Aberdeen, UK
| | - T J Daniell
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - L X Dupuy
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK.
- Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, Neiker, Bilbao, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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Canto CDLF, Kalogiros DI, Ptashnyk M, George TS, Waugh R, Bengough AG, Russell J, Dupuy LX. Morphological and genetic characterisation of the root system architecture of selected barley recombinant chromosome substitution lines using an integrated phenotyping approach. J Theor Biol 2018; 447:84-97. [PMID: 29559229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Discoveries on the genetics of resource acquisition efficiency are limited by the ability to measure plant roots in sufficient number and with adequate genotypic variability. This paper presents a root phenotyping study that explores ways to combine live imaging and computer algorithms for model-based extraction of root growth parameters. The study is based on a subset of barley Recombinant Chromosome Substitution Lines (RCSLs) and a combinatorial approach was designed for fast identification of the regions of the genome that contribute the most to variations in root system architecture (RSA). Results showed there was a strong genotypic variation in root growth parameters within the set of genotypes studied. The chromosomal regions associated with primary root growth differed from the regions of the genome associated with changes in lateral root growth. The concepts presented here are discussed in the context of identifying root QTL and its potential to assist breeding for novel crops with improved root systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C De La Fuente Canto
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom ; School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1PP, United Kingdom
| | - D I Kalogiros
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom ; School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1PP, United Kingdom
| | - M Ptashnyk
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1PP, United Kingdom
| | - T S George
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
| | - R Waugh
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
| | - A G Bengough
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom ; School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1PP, United Kingdom
| | - J Russell
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
| | - L X Dupuy
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom .
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Thomas CL, Alcock TD, Graham NS, Hayden R, Matterson S, Wilson L, Young SD, Dupuy LX, White PJ, Hammond JP, Danku JMC, Salt DE, Sweeney A, Bancroft I, Broadley MR. Root morphology and seed and leaf ionomic traits in a Brassica napus L. diversity panel show wide phenotypic variation and are characteristic of crop habit. BMC Plant Biol 2016; 16:214. [PMID: 27716103 PMCID: PMC5050600 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-016-0902-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mineral nutrient uptake and utilisation by plants are controlled by many traits relating to root morphology, ion transport, sequestration and translocation. The aims of this study were to determine the phenotypic diversity in root morphology and leaf and seed mineral composition of a polyploid crop species, Brassica napus L., and how these traits relate to crop habit. Traits were quantified in a diversity panel of up to 387 genotypes: 163 winter, 127 spring, and seven semiwinter oilseed rape (OSR) habits, 35 swede, 15 winter fodder, and 40 exotic/unspecified habits. Root traits of 14 d old seedlings were measured in a 'pouch and wick' system (n = ~24 replicates per genotype). The mineral composition of 3-6 rosette-stage leaves, and mature seeds, was determined on compost-grown plants from a designed experiment (n = 5) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS Seed size explained a large proportion of the variation in root length. Winter OSR and fodder habits had longer primary and lateral roots than spring OSR habits, with generally lower mineral concentrations. A comparison of the ratios of elements in leaf and seed parts revealed differences in translocation processes between crop habits, including those likely to be associated with crop-selection for OSR seeds with lower sulphur-containing glucosinolates. Combining root, leaf and seed traits in a discriminant analysis provided the most accurate characterisation of crop habit, illustrating the interdependence of plant tissues. CONCLUSIONS High-throughput morphological and composition phenotyping reveals complex interrelationships between mineral acquisition and accumulation linked to genetic control within and between crop types (habits) in B. napus. Despite its recent genetic ancestry (<10 ky), root morphology, and leaf and seed composition traits could potentially be used in crop improvement, if suitable markers can be identified and if these correspond with suitable agronomy and quality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. L. Thomas
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA UK
| | - T. D. Alcock
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
| | - N. S. Graham
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
| | - R. Hayden
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
| | - S. Matterson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
| | - L. Wilson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
| | - S. D. Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
| | - L. X. Dupuy
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA UK
| | - P. J. White
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA UK
- Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - J. P. Hammond
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development and the Centre for Food Security, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 237, Reading, RG6 6AR UK
| | - J. M. C. Danku
- University of Aberdeen, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU UK
| | - D. E. Salt
- University of Aberdeen, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU UK
| | - A. Sweeney
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - I. Bancroft
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - M. R. Broadley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD UK
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Thomas CL, Graham NS, Hayden R, Meacham MC, Neugebauer K, Nightingale M, Dupuy LX, Hammond JP, White PJ, Broadley MR. High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) identifies seedling root traits linked to variation in seed yield and nutrient capture in field-grown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Ann Bot 2016; 118:655-665. [PMID: 27052342 PMCID: PMC5055618 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcw046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims Root traits can be selected for crop improvement. Techniques such as soil excavations can be used to screen root traits in the field, but are limited to genotypes that are well-adapted to field conditions. The aim of this study was to compare a low-cost, high-throughput root phenotyping (HTP) technique in a controlled environment with field performance, using oilseed rape (OSR; Brassica napus) varieties. Methods Primary root length (PRL), lateral root length and lateral root density (LRD) were measured on 14-d-old seedlings of elite OSR varieties (n = 32) using a 'pouch and wick' HTP system (∼40 replicates). Six field experiments were conducted using the same varieties at two UK sites each year for 3 years. Plants were excavated at the 6- to 8-leaf stage for general vigour assessments of roots and shoots in all six experiments, and final seed yield was determined. Leaves were sampled for mineral composition from one of the field experiments. Key Results Seedling PRL in the HTP system correlated with seed yield in four out of six (r = 0·50, 0·50, 0·33, 0·49; P < 0·05) and with emergence in three out of five (r = 0·59, 0·22, 0·49; P < 0·05) field experiments. Seedling LRD correlated positively with leaf concentrations of some minerals, e.g. calcium (r = 0·46; P < 0·01) and zinc (r = 0·58; P < 0·001), but did not correlate with emergence, general early vigour or yield in the field. Conclusions Associations between PRL and field performance are generally related to early vigour. These root traits might therefore be of limited additional selection value, given that vigour can be measured easily on shoots/canopies. In contrast, LRD cannot be assessed easily in the field and, if LRD can improve nutrient uptake, then it may be possible to use HTP systems to screen this trait in both elite and more genetically diverse, non-field-adapted OSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. L. Thomas
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | - N. S. Graham
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - R. Hayden
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M. C. Meacham
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - K. Neugebauer
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | | | - L. X. Dupuy
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - J. P. Hammond
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK and
| | - P. J. White
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
- Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - M. R. Broadley
- Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
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Downie HF, Adu MO, Schmidt S, Otten W, Dupuy LX, White PJ, Valentine TA. Challenges and opportunities for quantifying roots and rhizosphere interactions through imaging and image analysis. Plant Cell Environ 2015; 38:1213-32. [PMID: 25211059 DOI: 10.1111/pce.12448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The morphology of roots and root systems influences the efficiency by which plants acquire nutrients and water, anchor themselves and provide stability to the surrounding soil. Plant genotype and the biotic and abiotic environment significantly influence root morphology, growth and ultimately crop yield. The challenge for researchers interested in phenotyping root systems is, therefore, not just to measure roots and link their phenotype to the plant genotype, but also to understand how the growth of roots is influenced by their environment. This review discusses progress in quantifying root system parameters (e.g. in terms of size, shape and dynamics) using imaging and image analysis technologies and also discusses their potential for providing a better understanding of root:soil interactions. Significant progress has been made in image acquisition techniques, however trade-offs exist between sample throughput, sample size, image resolution and information gained. All of these factors impact on downstream image analysis processes. While there have been significant advances in computation power, limitations still exist in statistical processes involved in image analysis. Utilizing and combining different imaging systems, integrating measurements and image analysis where possible, and amalgamating data will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of root:soil interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- H F Downie
- The SIMBIOS Centre, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - M O Adu
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
- Plant and Crop Sciences Division, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S Schmidt
- The SIMBIOS Centre, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK
| | - W Otten
- The SIMBIOS Centre, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK
| | - L X Dupuy
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - P J White
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
- King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - T A Valentine
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
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Ribeiro KM, Barreto B, Pasqual M, White PJ, Braga RA, Dupuy LX. Continuous, high-resolution biospeckle imaging reveals a discrete zone of activity at the root apex that responds to contact with obstacles. Ann Bot 2014; 113:555-63. [PMID: 24284818 PMCID: PMC3906964 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Shining a laser onto biological material produces light speckles termed biospeckles. Patterns of biospeckle activity reflect changes in cell biochemistry, developmental processes and responses to the environment. The aim of this work was to develop methods to investigate the biospeckle activity in roots and to characterize the distribution of its intensity and response to thigmostimuli. METHODS Biospeckle activity in roots of Zea mays, and also Jatropha curcas and Citrus limonia, was imaged live and in situ using a portable laser and a digital microscope with a spatial resolution of 10 μm per pixel and the ability to capture images every 0.080 s. A procedure incorporating a Fujii algorithm, image restoration using median and Gaussian filters, image segmentation using maximum-entropy threshold methods and the extraction of features using a tracing algorithm followed by spline fitting were developed to obtain quantitative information from images of biospeckle activity. A wavelet transform algorithm was used for spectral decomposition of biospeckle activity and generalized additive models were used to attribute statistical significance to changes in patterns of biospeckle activity. KEY RESULTS The intensity of biospeckle activity was greatest close to the root apex. Higher frequencies (3-6 Hz) contributed most to the total intensity of biospeckle activity. When a root encountered an obstacle, the intensity of biospeckle activity decreased abruptly throughout the root system. The response became attenuated with repeated thigmostimuli. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that at least one component of root biospeckle activity resulted from a biological process, which is located in the zone of cell division and responds to thigmostimuli. However, neither individual cell division events nor root elongation is likely to be responsible for the patterns of biospeckle activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. M. Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil
| | - B. Barreto
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil
| | - M. Pasqual
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil
| | - P. J. White
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | - R. A. Braga
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil
| | - L. X. Dupuy
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
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Brown LK, George TS, Dupuy LX, White PJ. A conceptual model of root hair ideotypes for future agricultural environments: what combination of traits should be targeted to cope with limited P availability? Ann Bot 2013; 112:317-30. [PMID: 23172412 PMCID: PMC3698376 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcs231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphorus (P) often limits crop production and is frequently applied as fertilizer; however, supplies of quality rock phosphate for fertilizer production are diminishing. Plants have evolved many mechanisms to increase their P acquisition, and an understanding of these traits could result in improved long-term sustainability of agriculture. This Viewpoint focuses on the potential benefits of root hairs to sustainable production. SCOPE First the various root-related traits that could be deployed to improve agricultural sustainability are catalogued, and their potential costs and benefits to the plant are discussed. A novel mathematical model describing the effects of length, density and longevity of root hairs on P acquisition is developed, and the relative benefits of these three root-hair traits to plant P nutrition are calculated. Insights from this model are combined with experimental data to assess the relative benefits of a range of root hair ideotypes for sustainability of agriculture. CONCLUSIONS A cost-benefit analysis of root traits suggests that root hairs have the greatest potential for P acquisition relative to their cost of production. The novel modelling of root hair development indicates that the greatest gains in P-uptake efficiency are likely to be made through increased length and longevity of root hairs rather than by increasing their density. Synthesizing this information with that from published experiments we formulate six potential ideotypes to improve crop P acquisition. These combine appropriate root hair phenotypes with architectural, anatomical and biochemical traits, such that more root-hair zones are produced in surface soils, where P resources are found, on roots which are metabolically cheap to construct and maintain, and that release more P-mobilizing exudates. These ideotypes could be used to inform breeding programmes to enhance agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - T. S. George
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
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