Cellular Growth in Aerial Roots Differs From That in Typical Substrate Roots.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In the roots of most vascular plants, the growth zone is small, the meristem and the elongation zone are sharply separated, and only meristematic cells divide. This statement is based almost entirely on studies with soil-rooted plants. Whether aerial roots of structurally dependent (=epiphytic/hemiepiphytic) species differ is virtually unexplored.

Methods

Growth of aerial roots in 20 structurally dependent plant species from eight families was studied ex situ. In 12 species, we studied the anatomical structure and distribution of cortex cell lengths and rhizoderm in the growth zone.

Key results

All the studied aerial roots had an open apical meristem, and mitoses were not restricted to the meristem. In contrast to belowground roots, relative

SUBMITTER: Eskov AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9199517 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature