Root structural remodeling under soil compaction for herbaceous plants.

ABSTRACT: Soil compaction often imposes stress on root development and plant survival. However, root anatomical responses that enable persistent root growth and functioning under soil compaction remain unclear. We grew 10 herbaceous species differing substantially in lateral root diameter, in soils with low (1.0 g cm^-3) and high (1.4 g cm^-3) bulk density, and assessed root traits including root biomass, anatomical structures, and respiration rates. Greater root thickening upon soil compaction was found in species with thicker first-order lateral roots, mainly due to larger cortical cell size. Both xylem vessel diameter and wall thickness increased more in compacted soils in these species. Despite these anatomical shifts, root respiration rate responded little to soil compaction

SUBMITTER: Han Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12919300 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature