Nodal root diameter and node number in maize (Zea mays L.) interact to influence plant growth under nitrogen stress.

ABSTRACT: Under nitrogen limitation, plants increase resource allocation to root growth relative to shoot growth. The utility of various root architectural and anatomical phenotypes for nitrogen acquisition are not well understood. Nodal root number and root cross-sectional area were evaluated in maize in field and greenhouse environments. Nodal root number and root cross-sectional area were inversely correlated under both high and low nitrogen conditions. Attenuated emergence of root nodes, as opposed to differences in the number of axial roots per node, was associated with substantially reduced root number. Greater root cross-sectional area was associated with a greater stele area and number of cortical cell files. Genotypes that produced few, thick nodal roots rather than many, thin nodal roots h

SUBMITTER: Schneider HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7963125 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature