Root hair phenotypes influence nitrogen acquisition in maize.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The utility of root hairs for nitrogen (N) acquisition is poorly understood.

Methods

We explored the utility of root hairs for N acquisition in the functional-structural model SimRoot and with maize genotypes with variable root hair length (RHL) in greenhouse and field environments.

Key results

Simulation results indicate that long, dense root hairs can improve N acquisition under varying N availability. In the greenhouse, ammonium availability had no effect on RHL and low nitrate availability increased RHL, while in the field low N reduced RHL. Longer RHL was associated with 216 % increase in biomass and 237 % increase in plant N content under low-N conditions in the greenhouse and a 250 % increase in biomass and 200 % increase in plant N content

SUBMITTER: Saengwilai P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8577201 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature