Methods of Studying Root Systems

Methods of Studying Root Systems
Author: W. Böhm
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642672825

Root research under natural field conditions is still a step-child of science. The reason for this is primarily methodological. The known methods are tedious, time consuming, and the accuracy of their results is often not very great. Many research workers have been discouraged by doing such root studies. The need for more information on the development and distribution of plant roots in different soils under various ecological conditions is, however, obvious in many ecological disciplines. Especially the applied botanical sciences such as agriculture, horticulture, and forestry are interested in obtaining more data on plant roots in the soil. This book will give a survey of existing methods in ecological root research. Primarily field methods are presented; techniques for pot experiments are described only so far as they are important for solving ecological problems. Laboratory methods for studying root physiology are not covered in this book. Scientific publications on roots are scattered in many different journals published all over the world. By working through the international root literature I found that about ten thousand papers on root ecology have been published at the present. This is not very much compared with the immense literature on the aboveground parts of the plants, but is, however, too much to cite in this book.

Unravelling the Secret Life of Plant Roots

Unravelling the Secret Life of Plant Roots
Author: John Pate
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2020-11
Genre:
ISBN: 9781760800208

Roots are truly amazing structures. They show great flexibility when exploring and exploiting soil substrates of uneven penetrability and availability of water and nutrients, yet also possess highly ordered architectures and anatomical features which may turn out to be as diagnostic of a species as any attribute based on aboveg-round parts. The book provides case studies of structural and functional qualities of roots of species from the biodiverse ecosystems of south west Western Australia, and views these in the context of survival in nutrient-poor soils, continued threat of fire and extreme seasonal fluctuations in temperature and water availability. Among a range of issues considered in the volume are examinations of: Roots in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing organisms and mycorrhizal fungi Roots of parasitic species capable of extracting water and solutes from transport channels of their hosts Cluster roots adept at sourcing sparingly available nutrient resources, and Recently discovered cases amongst eucalypts whose specialised roots, in probable cooperation with microbes, generate compacted layers of clay and/or carbonates in their rooting catchments These examples, discussed alongside accounts of how roots and shoots interact in their respective inputs of photosynthate and water, comprise fascinating commentaries on how plants perform under exacting natural conditions and in comparison to the cossetted systems one finds under agriculture, horticulture, forestry and gardening. The book considers relevance of subject matter and conclusions to conservation and cultivation of plants.

Root systems biology

Root systems biology
Author: Wolfgang Schmidt
Publisher: Frontiers E-books
Total Pages: 131
Release: 2014-10-03
Genre: Bioengineering
ISBN: 288919275X

The understanding of biological complexity has been greatly facilitated by cross-disciplinary, holistic approaches that allow insights into the function and regulation of biological processes that cannot be captured by dissecting them into their individual components. In addition, the development of novel tools has dramatically increased our ability to interrogate information at the nucleic acid, protein and metabolite level. The integration and interpretation of disparate data sets, however, still remain a major challenge in systems biology. Roots provide an excellent model for studying physiological, developmental, and metabolic processes. The availability of genetic resources, along with sequenced genomes has allowed important discoveries in root biochemistry, development and function. Roots are transparent, allowing optical investigation of gene activity in individual cells and experimental manipulation. In addition, the predictable fate of cells emerging from the root meristem and the continuous development of roots throughout the life of the plant, which permits simultaneous observation of different developmental stages, provide ideal premises for the analysis of growth and differentiation. Moreover, a genetically fixed cellular organization allows for studying the utilization of positional information and other non-cell-autonomous phenomena, which are of utmost importance in plant development. Although their ontogeny is largely invariant under standardized experimental conditions, roots possess an extraordinary capacity to respond to a plethora of environmental signals, resulting in distinct phenotypic readouts. This high phenotypic plasticity allows research into acclimative and adaptive strategies, the understanding of which is crucial for germplasm enhancement and crop improvement. With the aim of providing a current snapshot on the function and development of roots at the systems level, this Research Topic collated original research articles, methods articles, reviews, mini reviews and perspective, opinion and hypotheses articles that communicate breakthroughs in root biology, as well as recent advances in research technologies and data analysis.

Hopf Algebras and Root Systems

Hopf Algebras and Root Systems
Author: István Heckenberger
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
Total Pages: 582
Release: 2020-06-19
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1470452324

This book is an introduction to Hopf algebras in braided monoidal categories with applications to Hopf algebras in the usual sense. The main goal of the book is to present from scratch and with complete proofs the theory of Nichols algebras (or quantum symmetric algebras) and the surprising relationship between Nichols algebras and generalized root systems. In general, Nichols algebras are not classified by Cartan graphs and their root systems. However, extending partial results in the literature, the authors were able to associate a Cartan graph to a large class of Nichols algebras. This allows them to determine the structure of right coideal subalgebras of Nichols systems which generalize Nichols algebras. As applications of these results, the book contains a classification of right coideal subalgebras of quantum groups and of the small quantum groups, and a proof of the existence of PBW-bases that does not involve case by case considerations. The authors also include short chapter summaries at the beginning of each chapter and historical notes at the end of each chapter. The theory of Cartan graphs, Weyl groupoids, and generalized root systems appears here for the first time in a book form. Hence, the book serves as an introduction to the modern classification theory of pointed Hopf algebras for advanced graduate students and researchers working in categorial aspects and classification theory of Hopf algebras and their generalization.

The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification

The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification
Author: Zed Rengel
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 468
Release: 2021-04-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119525403

Explore an in-depth and insightful collection of resources discussing various aspects of root structure and function in intensive agricultural systems The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification delivers a comprehensive treatment of state-of-the-art concepts in the theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural management to enhance root system architecture and function. The book emphasizes the agricultural measures that enhance root capacity to develop and function under a range of water and nutrient regimes to maximize food, feed, and fibre production, as well as minimize undesirable water and nutrient losses to the environment. This reference includes resources that discuss a variety of soil, plant, agronomy, farming system, breeding, molecular and modelling aspects to the subject. It also discusses strategies and mechanisms that underpin increased water- and nutrient-use efficiency and combines consideration of natural and agricultural systems to show the continuity of traits and mechanisms. Finally, the book explores issues related to the global economy as well as widespread social issues that arise from, or are underpinned by, agricultural intensification. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to sustainable intensification, including its meaning, the need for the technology, components, and the role of root systems Exploration of the dynamics of root systems in crop and pasture genotypes over the last 100 years Discussion of the interplay between root structure and function with soil microbiome in enhancing efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition Evaluation of water uptake in drying soil, including balancing supply and demand Perfect for agronomists, horticulturalists, plant and soil scientists, breeders, and soil microbiologists, The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification will also earn a place in the libraries of advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in this field who seek a one-stop reference in the area of root structure and function.

The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification

The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification
Author: Zed Rengel
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2021-04-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119525381

Explore an in-depth and insightful collection of resources discussing various aspects of root structure and function in intensive agricultural systems The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification delivers a comprehensive treatment of state-of-the-art concepts in the theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural management to enhance root system architecture and function. The book emphasizes the agricultural measures that enhance root capacity to develop and function under a range of water and nutrient regimes to maximize food, feed, and fibre production, as well as minimize undesirable water and nutrient losses to the environment. This reference includes resources that discuss a variety of soil, plant, agronomy, farming system, breeding, molecular and modelling aspects to the subject. It also discusses strategies and mechanisms that underpin increased water- and nutrient-use efficiency and combines consideration of natural and agricultural systems to show the continuity of traits and mechanisms. Finally, the book explores issues related to the global economy as well as widespread social issues that arise from, or are underpinned by, agricultural intensification. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to sustainable intensification, including its meaning, the need for the technology, components, and the role of root systems Exploration of the dynamics of root systems in crop and pasture genotypes over the last 100 years Discussion of the interplay between root structure and function with soil microbiome in enhancing efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition Evaluation of water uptake in drying soil, including balancing supply and demand Perfect for agronomists, horticulturalists, plant and soil scientists, breeders, and soil microbiologists, The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification will also earn a place in the libraries of advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in this field who seek a one-stop reference in the area of root structure and function.

Ecophysiology of root systems-environment interaction

Ecophysiology of root systems-environment interaction
Author: Boris Rewald
Publisher: Frontiers E-books
Total Pages: 317
Release: 2014-09-03
Genre: Botany
ISBN: 2889192857

There is a scarcity of detailed information regarding the ecophysiology of root systems and the way root system functioning is affected by both internal and external factors. Furthermore, global climate change is expected to increase the intensity of climate extremes, such as severe drought, heat waves and periods of heavy rainfall; in addition other stresses such as salinization of soils are increasing world-wide. Recently an increasing awareness has developed that understanding plant traits will play a major role in breeding of future crop plants. For example, there is increasing evidence that the traits of root systems are defined by the properties of individual roots. However, further knowledge on the functional importance of root segments and the molecular/physiological mechanisms underlying root system functioning and persistence is needed, and would specifically allow modifying (crop) root system functionality and efficiency in the future. Another major gap in knowledge is localized at the root-soil interface and in regard to the potential adaptive plasticity of root-rhizosphere interactions under abiotic stress and/or competition. It is currently unknown whether adaptations in microbe communities occur, for example due to modified exudation rates, and what are the subsequent influences on nutrient mobilization and uptake. Furthermore, uncovering the mechanisms by which roots perceive neighboring roots may not only contribute to our understanding of plant developmental strategies, but also has important implications on the study of competitive interactions in natural communities, and in optimizing plant performance and resource use in agricultural and silvicultural systems. In this Research Topic, we aimed to provide an on-line, open-access snapshot of the current state of the art of the field of root ecology and physiology, with special focus on the translation of root structure to function, and how root systems are influenced by interplay with internal and external factors such as abiotic stress, microbes and plant-plant interaction. We welcomed original research papers, but reviews of specific topics, articles formulating opinions or describing cutting-edge methods were also gladly accepted.

Tree Root Systems and Their Mycorrhizas

Tree Root Systems and Their Mycorrhizas
Author: D. Atkinson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 503
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400968337

Proceedings of a Meeting of the IUFRO, Working Party on Root Physiology and Symbiosis

Extended Affine Lie Algebras and Their Root Systems

Extended Affine Lie Algebras and Their Root Systems
Author: Bruce Normansell Allison
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
Total Pages: 138
Release: 1997
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0821805940

This work is about extended affine Lie algebras (EALA's) and their root systems. EALA's were introduced by Høegh-Krohn and Torresani under the name irreducible quasi-simple Lie algebras. The major objective is to develop enough theory to provide a firm foundation for further study of EALA's. The first chapter of the paper is devoted to establishing some basic structure theory. It includes a proof of the fact that, as conjectured by Kac, the invariant symmetric bilinear form on an EALA can be scaled so that its restriction to the real span of the root system is positive semi-definite. The second chapter studies extended affine root systems (EARS) which are an axiomatized version of the root systems arising from EALA's. The concept of a semilattice is used to give a complete description of EARS. In the final chapter, a number of new examples of extended affine Lie algebras are given. The concluding appendix contains an axiomatic characterization of the nonisotropic roots in an EARS in a more general context than the one used in the rest of the paper.

Plant Roots

Plant Roots
Author: Yoav Waisel
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 1749
Release: 2002-03-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0824744748

The third edition of a standard resource, this book offers a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary presentation of plant roots. It examines structure and development, assemblage of root systems, metabolism and growth, stressful environments, and interactions at the rhizosphere. Reflecting the explosion of advances and emerging technologies in the field, the book presents developments in the study of root origin, composition, formation, and behavior for the production of novel pharmaceutical and medicinal compounds, agrochemicals, dyes, flavors, and pesticides. It details breakthroughs in genetics, molecular biology, growth substance physiology, biotechnology, and biomechanics.