Dataset Information

Imaging local soil kinematics during the first days of maize root growth in sand.

ABSTRACT: Maize seedlings are grown in Hostun sand with two different gradings and two different densities. The root-soil system is imaged daily for the first 8 days of plant growth with X-ray computed tomography. Segmentation, skeletonisation and digital image correlation techniques are used to analyse the evolution of the root system architecture, the displacement fields and the local strain fields due to plant growth in the soil. It is found that root thickness and root length density do not depend on the initial soil configuration. However, the depth of the root tip is strongly influenced by the initial soil density, and the number of laterals is impacted by grain size, which controls pore size, capillary rise and thus root access to water. Consequently, shorter root axes are observed in denser sand and fewer second order roots are observed in coarser sands. In all soil configurations tested, root growth induces shear strain in the soil around the root system, and locally, in the vicinity of the first order roots axis. Root-induced shear is accompanied by dilative volumetric strain close to the root body. Further away, the soil experiences dilation in denser sand and compaction in looser sand. These results suggest that the increase of porosity close to the roots can be caused by a mix of shear strain and steric exclusion.

SUBMITTER: Anselmucci F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8593153 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Imaging local soil kinematics during the first days of maize root growth in sand.

Anselmucci Floriana F Andò Edward E Viggiani Gioacchino G Lenoir Nicolas N Arson Chloé C Sibille Luc L

Scientific reports 20211115 1

Maize seedlings are grown in Hostun sand with two different gradings and two different densities. The root-soil system is imaged daily for the first 8 days of plant growth with X-ray computed tomography. Segmentation, skeletonisation and digital image correlation techniques are used to analyse the evolution of the root system architecture, the displacement fields and the local strain fields due to plant growth in the soil. It is found that root thickness and root length density do not depend on ...[more]

PMID: 34782618

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Project description:IntroductionThis article endeavors to investigate the influence of various fertilization methods on the characteristics of rhizosphere soil and organic carbon mineralization in the mixed soil of Mu Us Sandy land under maize cultivation, with the objective of laying the groundwork for low-carbon agriculture and the development of high-quality farmland.MethodsThe research focuses on soft rock and sand composite soil with a 1:2 ratio, and it comprises four treatments: no fertilization (CK), only chemical fertilization (CF), only cattle manure application (MF), and only oil residue application (DF).ResultsThe findings revealed that the use of organic fertilizer substantially elevated nutrient content and enzyme activity in the maize rhizosphere soil. Furthermore, it had a notable influence on both soil aggregate diameter and stability. Specifically, the DF treatment led to a significant increase in both soil aggregate diameter and stability. The mineralization rate of organic carbon in the maize rhizosphere soil could be categorized into two distinct phases: a rapid initial decline followed by a slower release. By the end of the incubation period, the cumulative mineralization of organic carbon in the MF, DF, and CF treatments showed a significant increase of 119.87%, 57.57%, and 24.15%, respectively, in comparison to the CK treatment. Additionally, the mineralization rate constants of the DF and MF treatments experienced a substantial rise, with increments of 23.52% and 45.97%, respectively, when contrasted with the CK treatment. The bacterial phyla Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Firmicutes were dominant in the rhizosphere soil bacterial community. Specific genera such as Nocardioides and Sphingomonas showed significant correlations with organic carbon mineralization. The application of different organic fertilizer can improve soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and promote the mineralization process of organic carbon in maize rhizosphere soil.DiscussionNotably, the DF treatment exhibited the most favorable outcome, improving the overall quality of maize rhizosphere soil while incurring a minimal loss of unit organic carbon. These findings hold significant implications for optimizing field management practices and augmenting soil quality.

Project description:BackgroundAluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the most important yield-limiting factors of many crops worldwide. The primary symptom of Al toxicity syndrome is the inhibition of root growth leading to poor water and nutrient absorption. Al tolerance has been extensively studied using hydroponic experiments. However, unlike soil conditions, this method does not address all of the components that are necessary for proper root growth and development. In the present study, we grew two maize genotypes with contrasting tolerance to Al in soil containing toxic levels of Al and then compared their transcriptomic responses.ResultsWhen grown in acid soil containing toxic levels of Al, the Al-sensitive genotype (S1587-17) showed greater root growth inhibition, more Al accumulation and more callose deposition in root tips than did the tolerant genotype (Cat100-6). Transcriptome profiling showed a higher number of genes differentially expressed in S1587-17 grown in acid soil, probably due to secondary effects of Al toxicity. Genes involved in the biosynthesis of organic acids, which are frequently associated with an Al tolerance response, were not differentially regulated in both genotypes after acid soil exposure. However, genes related to the biosynthesis of auxin, ethylene and lignin were up-regulated in the Al-sensitive genotype, indicating that these pathways might be associated with root growth inhibition. By comparing the two maize lines, we were able to discover genes up-regulated only in the Al-tolerant line that also presented higher absolute levels than those observed in the Al-sensitive line. These genes encoded a lipase hydrolase, a retinol dehydrogenase, a glycine-rich protein, a member of the WRKY transcriptional family and two unknown proteins.ConclusionsThis work provides the first characterization of the physiological and transcriptional responses of maize roots when grown in acid soil containing toxic levels of Al. The transcriptome profiles highlighted several pathways that are related to Al toxicity and tolerance during growth in acid soil. We found several genes that were not found in previous studies using hydroponic experiments, increasing our understanding of plant responses to acid soil. The use of two germplasms with markedly different Al tolerances allowed the identification of genes that are a valuable tool for assessing the mechanisms of Al tolerance in maize in acid soil.

Project description:Soil salinization limits crop growth and yield in agro-ecosystems worldwide by reducing soil health and altering the structure of microbial communities. Salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alleviate plant salinity stress. Wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) is unique in agricultural ecosystems owing to its ability to grow in saline-alkali soils and fix atmospheric nitrogen via symbiotic interactions with diverse soil microbes. However, this rhizosphere microbiome and the nodule endosymbionts have not been investigated to identify PGPR. In this study, we investigated the structural and functional rhizosphere microbial communities in saline-alkali soil from the Yellow River Delta and coastal soil in China, as well as wild soybean root nodule endosymbionts. To reveal the composition of the microbial ecosystem, we performed 16S rRNA and nifH gene amplicon sequencing on root nodules and root zones under different environmental conditions. In addition, we used culture-independent methods to examine the root bacterial microbiome of wild soybean. For functional characterization of individual members of the microbiome and their impact on plant growth, we inoculated isolates from the root microbiome with wild soybean and observed nodulation. Sinorhizobium/Ensifer accounted for 97% of the root nodule microbiome, with other enriched members belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes; the genera Sphingomonas, Microbacterium, Arthrobacter, Nocardioides, Streptomyces, Flavobacterium, Flavisolibacter, and Pseudomonas; and the family Enterobacteriaceae. Compared to saline-alkali soil from the Yellow River Delta, coastal soil was highly enriched for soybean nodules and displayed significant differences in the abundance and diversity of β-proteobacteria, δ-proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Overall, the wild soybean root nodule microbiome was dominated by nutrient-providing Sinorhizobium/Ensifer and was enriched for bacterial genera that may provide salt resistance. Thus, this reductionist experimental approach provides an avenue for future systematic and functional studies of the plant root microbiome.

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Imaging local soil kinematics during the first days of maize root growth in sand.

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Imaging local soil kinematics during the first days of maize root growth in sand.

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