Substrate heterogeneities cause root growth trajectories to switch from vertical to oblique.
J Exp Bot
; 2024 Sep 13.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39271185
ABSTRACT
Hard pans, soil compaction, soil aggregation and stones create physical barriers that can affect the development of a root system. Roots are known to exploit paths of least resistance to avoid such obstacles, but the mechanism through which this is achieved is not well understood. Here, we combined 3D-printed substrates with a high-throughput live imaging platform to study the responses of plant roots to a range of physical barriers. Using image analysis algorithms, we determined the properties of growth trajectories and identified how the presence of rigid circular obstacles affects the ability of a primary root to maintain its vertical trajectory. Results showed the types of growth responses were limited, both vertical and oblique trajectories were found to be stable and influenced by the size of the obstacles. When obstacles were of intermediate sizes, trajectories were unstable and changed in nature through time. We formalised the conditions for root trajectory to change from vertical to oblique, linking the angle at which the root detaches from the obstacle to the root curvature due to gravitropism. Exploitation of paths of least resistance by a root may therefore be constrained by the ability of the root to curve and respond to gravitropic signals.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Exp Bot
Asunto de la revista:
BOTANICA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido