Evidence from near-isogenic lines that root penetration increases with root diameter and bending stiffness in rice
- 1 January 2008
- journal article
- Published by CSIRO Publishing in Functional Plant Biology
- Vol. 35 (11), 1163-1171
- https://doi.org/10.1071/fp08132
Abstract
Deep rooting can be inhibited by strong layers, although there is evidence for species and cultivar (cv.) differences in their penetration ability. Here, the availability of near-isogenic lines (NILs) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was exploited to test the hypothesis that increased root diameter is associated with greater root bending stiffness, which leads to greater root penetration of strong layers. Wax/petrolatum discs (80% strong wax) were used as the strong layer, so that strength can be manipulated independently of water status. It was found that good root penetration was consistently associated with greater root diameter and bending stiffness, whether comparisons were made between cvs or between NILs. With NILs, this effect was seen with ‘research’ lines bred from recombinant inbred lines of a cross between cvs Bala and Azucena and also in improved lines developed from cv. Kalinga III by introgression of parts of the genome from Azucena. Much of the bending behaviour of roots could be explained by treating them as a simple cylinder of material. In both wax disc and sand culture systems, roots that had encountered a strong layer had lower bending stiffness than roots that had not encountered a strong layer which is a novel result and not previously reported.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Assessing the importance of genotype × environment interaction for root traits in rice using a mapping population II: conventional QTL analysisTheoretical and Applied Genetics, 2006
- Understanding plant responses to drought — from genes to the whole plantFunctional Plant Biology, 2003
- Influence of soil strength on root growth: experiments and analysis using a critical‐state modelEuropean Journal of Soil Science, 2002
- Partial mechanical impedance can increase the turgor of seedling pea rootsJournal of Experimental Botany, 2001
- Quantitative trait loci for root-penetration ability and root thickness in rice: Comparison of genetic backgroundsGenome, 2000
- Complete mechanical impedance increases the turgor of cells in the apex of pea rootsPlant, Cell & Environment, 1996
- Use of Wax‐Petrolatum Layers for Screening Rice Root PenetrationCrop Science, 1995
- The buckling of plant rootsPhysiologia Plantarum, 1982
- The deflection of plant rootsJournal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1978
- Use of Wax Substrates in Root Penetration StudiesSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1960