Background and aims

Rhizosheath, the soil attached to plant roots, may enhance drought resilience by improving water and nutrient uptake. This study evaluates the effects of rhizosheath formation on water and nutrient absorption from soils with different textures and moistures.

Methods

Two maize inbred lines R109B (Rh +) and Ky228 (Rh-), known for their distinct rhizosheath formation yet having identical root morphology, were cultivated in loamy sand and loamy soils. When plants were 45 days old, a controlled soil drying cycle was initiated and parameters such as plant transpiration rate (E), leaf water potential (\({\psi }_{leaf}\)), and soil water content/potential were monitored. At the end of soil drying cycle, the total nutrient uptake in the plants’ shoots was assessed.

Results

Rh + demonstrated a denser rhizosheath, particularly in loamy sand, correlating with increased root hair development. Rh + plants in loamy sand had a 1.73-fold increase in normalized mass rhizosheath compared to loam soil. In moderate moisture, Rh + exhibited improved soil–plant-water relationships, evidenced by higher midday E and \({\psi }_{leaf}\) in loamy soil than Rh-. However, no significant differences were noted under severe drought between Rh + and Rh-, likely attributed to diminished root hairs functionality. In loamy sand, Rh + plants exhibited 1.5 times higher phosphorus uptake, 1.46 times higher calcium uptake, and 2.02 times higher manganese uptake compared to Rh-.

Conclusion

Root hair development is a crucial factor in rhizosheath formation. The efficacy of the rhizosheath in enhancing water and nutrient uptake is significantly influenced by soil texture and moisture conditions.

中文翻译：

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对比两个玉米自交系的根鞘形成能力：对水和养分吸收的影响

 背景和目标

根鞘是附着在植物根部的土壤，可以通过改善水和养分的吸收来增强抗旱能力。本研究评估了根鞘形成对不同质地和湿度土壤水分和养分吸收的影响。

 方法

两个玉米自交系 R109B (Rh +) 和 Ky228 (Rh-) 以其独特的根鞘形成而闻名，但具有相同的根形态，在壤质沙和壤质土壤中种植。当植物长到 45 天时，启动受控土壤干燥循环，并测量植物蒸腾速率 ( E )、叶水势 ( \({\psi }_{leaf}\) ) 和土壤含水量/势等参数。被监控。在土壤干燥周期结束时，评估植物芽吸收的总养分。

 结果

Rh + 表现出更致密的根鞘，特别是在壤土沙中，与根毛发育的增加相关。与壤土相比，壤土中的 Rh + 植物的标准化根鞘质量增加了 1.73 倍。在中等湿度下，Rh + 表现出改善的土壤-植物-水关系，这可以通过壤质土壤中中午E和\({\psi }_{leaf}\)高于 Rh- 来证明。然而，在严重干旱条件下，Rh + 和 Rh- 之间没有发现显着差异，这可能是由于根毛功能减弱所致。在壤质沙中，与 Rh- 相比，Rh + 植物的磷吸收量高出 1.5 倍，钙吸收量高出 1.46 倍，锰吸收量高出 2.02 倍。

 结论

根毛发育是根鞘形成的关键因素。根鞘在增强水分和养分吸收方面的功效受到土壤质地和湿度条件的显着影响。