Root phenotyping: important and minimum information required for root modeling in crop plants

As plants cannot relocate, they require effective root systems for water and nutrient uptake. Root development plasticity enables plants to adapt to different environmental conditions. Research on improvements in crop root systems is limited in comparison with that in shoots as the former are difficult to image. Breeding more effective root systems is proposed as the “second green revolution”. There are several recent publications on root system architecture (RSA), but the methods used to analyze the RSA have not been standardized. Here, we introduce traditional and current root-imaging methods and discuss root structure phenotyping. Some important root structures have not been standardized as roots are easily affected by rhizosphere conditions and exhibit greater plasticity than shoots; moreover, root morphology significantly varies even in the same genotype. For these reasons, it is difficult to define the ideal root systems for breeding. In this review, we introduce several types of software to analyze roots and identify important root parameters by modeling to simplify the root system characterization. These parameters can be extracted from photographs captured in the field. This modeling approach is applicable to various legacy root data stored in old or unpublished formats. Standardization of RSA data could help estimate root ideotypes.     

Challenges to design-oriented breeding of root system architecture adapted to climate change

Roots are essential organs for capturing water and nutrients from the soil. In particular, root system architecture (RSA) determines the extent of the region of the soil where water and nutrients can be gathered. As global climate change accelerates, it will be important to improve belowground plant parts, as well as aboveground ones, because roots are front-line organs in the response to abiotic stresses such as drought, flooding, and salinity stress. However, using conventional breeding based on phenotypic selection, it is difficult to select breeding lines possessing promising RSAs to adapted to abiotic stress because roots remain hidden underground. Therefore, new breeding strategies that do not require phenotypic selection are necessary. Recent advances in molecular biology and biotechnology can be applied to the design-oriented breeding of RSA without phenotypic selection. Here I summarize recent progress in RSA ideotypes as “design” and RSA-related gene resources as “materials” that will be needed in leveraging these technologies for the RSA breeding. I also highlight the future challenges to design-oriented breeding of RSA and explore solutions to these challenges.     

不同基因型甘薯品种产量与地上部农艺性状及主要气象因子关联度分析

研究了北方甘薯主产区泰安市栽培的不同基因型的主要甘薯品种鲜薯、薯干产量与13个地上部主要农艺性状及生长期间主要气象因子间关联度。根据关联度的大小研究得出各个影响因子的关联序,影响鲜薯产量因子的关联序为：分枝叶柄鲜重>分枝叶片数>地上部总鲜重>分枝鲜重>分枝条数>分枝叶片鲜重>主茎叶柄鲜重>主茎长度>分枝长度>主茎粗度>主茎叶片数>主茎叶片鲜重>主茎鲜重;影响薯干产量因子的关联序为：分枝叶片鲜重>分枝长度>分枝叶柄鲜重>分枝条数>分枝叶片数>主茎鲜重>主茎长度>分枝叶片鲜重>分枝鲜重>主茎粗度>主茎叶片数>地上部总鲜重>主茎叶柄鲜重;气象因子对鲜薯产量影响的关联序依次为：最高气温>相对湿度>最低气温>平均气温>14时湿度>10cm低温>5cm低温>0cm低温>日照时数>降水量;对薯干产量影响关联序依次为平均气温>最高气温>最低气温>5cm低温>10cm低温>14时湿度>0cm低温>日照时数>相对湿度>降水量。     

Quantitative-genetic parameters of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown in semi-arid areas of Kenya

Low and erratic rainfall constitutes a major constraint to sorghum production, and impedes sorghum improvement in semi-arid tropics. To estimate quantitative-genetic parameters for sorghum under variable stress conditions, three sets of factorial crosses between four by four lines each were grown with parents and a local cultivar in eight macro-environments in semi-arid areas of Kenya. Fourteen traits were recorded including grain yield, above-ground drymatter, harvest index, days to anthesis, leaf rolling score, and stay-green. Environmental means for grain yield ranged from 167 to 595 g m-2. Mean hybrid superiority over mid-parent values was 47, 31, and 9% for grain yield, above-ground drymatter, and harvest index, respectively. Differences among both lines and hybrids were highly significant for all traits. Genotype × environment interaction variances were larger than genotypic variances for grain yield, above-ground drymatter, and harvest index. Corresponding heritabilities ranged between 0.72 and 0.84. Variation among hybrids was determined by GCA and SCA effects for most characters. Predominance of additive-genetic effects was found for grain yield components, plant height, and leaf rolling score. Lack of variation in GCA was noted among female lines for major performance traits. While low leaf rolling score was correlated with high grain yield, there was no such association for stay-green. Hybrid breeding could contribute to sorghum improvement for semi-arid areas of Kenya. To increase selection progress for major performance traits, genetic variation among female lines should be enhanced. Importance of genotype × environment interaction underlines the necessity of evaluating breeding materials under a broad range of dryland conditions.     

The importance of soil microbial activity for the supply of iron to sorghum and rape

It is generally accepted that soil microorganisms play an important role in producing siderophores which enhance the availability of soil Fe to higher plants. There is not much direct experimental evidence to support this supposition, however, because it is difficult to grow plants under sterile conditions over long periods. The object of this investigation was to test whether a sterile soil medium impairs Fe translocation from the soil to plant roots. The plant species selected are of agronomical importance, namely rape (Brassica napus L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). The latter a graminaceous species which is able to excrete phytosiderophores from the roots into the soil which allows Fe to be mobilized and transported to plant roots. Sorghum and rape were grown for 18 and 21 days, respectively, in a non-sterile soil (control) and in the same soil which was sterilized before plant cultivation. In a further treatment, the sterile grown rape plants were supplied with Fe EDDHA 1 week before harvest in order to test whether a poor growth of plants grown in the sterile soil was caused by an insufficient Fe supply. Plants cultivated on the sterile soil were significantly retarded in root and shoot growth. This was especially true for rape which produced very small leaves. Plants responded immediately to the Fe addition which induced a vigorous growth. This clearly shows that the poor growth in the sterile soil was caused at least in part by an insufficient Fe supply. In neither plant species was yellowing of young leaves observed as a symptom typical of insufficient Fe supply. From this follows that retardation of plant growth is a more sensitive indicator of an insufficient Fe supply than is yellowing of young leaves at least for rape and sorghum. This finding is of agronomical importance since a reduced growth because of insufficient Fe supply is much more difficult to identify as Fe deficieny than Fe chlorosis (yellow leaves). Iron concentrations in roots and leaves of the sterile grown plants were significantly lower than the corresponding concentrations in the non-sterile grown plants. From these findings it can be concluded that soil microbial activity is essential for Fe acquisition by soil-grown rape. Similarily, sorghum which is able to release siderophores from the roots, requires soil microbial activity to ensure satisfactory Fe supply.     

Case study: cost-effective image analysis method to study drought stress of soybean in early vegetative stage

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - There are many applications of image-based analysis for phenotyping agronomic traits. However, they are inappropriate or difficult to operate due to lack...     

锰矿废弃地几种不同恢复模式土壤种子库与地上植被的关系

土壤种子库技术是矿区废弃地植被恢复的重要方法,弄清不同恢复模式下种子库与地上植被之间的关系是有效利用该技术的前提。以云南建水锰尾矿恢复的醉鱼草(Buddleja officinalis)灌丛、香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)草丛、肿柄菊(Tithonia diversifolia)群落为对象,以人工林蓝桉(Eucalyptus globulus)林为对照,通过野外调查与室内萌发实验相结合的方法研究了各群落地上植被与土壤种子库的关系。结果显示:1)尾矿起源各群落地上植被(0.50、0.06、2.18、vs. 2.12)与土壤种子库物种多样性(1.32、1.42、1.78 vs. 2.65)均低于对照群落;2)地上植被物种多样性与土壤种子库物种多样性成正相关(R^2=0.187,p=0.005);3)对照群落土壤种子库与地上植被物种相似性较高,尾矿恢复各群落较低,且不同恢复模式间相似性差异较大;4)香薷(Elsholtzia ciliata)与醉鱼草为4个群落土壤种子库共有的优势种,各群落地上植被与土壤种子库优势种不完全同步。研究结果表明恢复措施对土壤种子库物种多样性有重要影响。     

玉米根系的生长规律及其与产量关系的研究——Ⅱ.玉米根系与叶的相互作用及其与产量的关系

玉米根系在田间的分布,绝大部分(75.6%)集中于上层土壤中(0～10厘米)。不同土体积对根系发育的影响很大,地上部生长和产量亦有明显的相应变化。在一定范围内,根干重、主根总长均依土体积的大小呈显著的回归关系。根与叶之间有明显的相互作用。根量同叶面积,生物产量和籽粒产量之间均存在着显著的正相关关系。     

Using tube rhizotrons to measure variation in depth penetration rate among modern North-European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

Deeper plant root systems are desired for improved water and nitrogen uptake in leaching environments. However, phenotyping for deep roots requires methods that enable plants to develop deep roots under realistic conditions. Winter cereals raise further complications as early growth occurs under low light and temperature during autumn and winter—conditions not met in standard glasshouse facilities. This study used tube rhizotrons of 2 m length, positioned outdoor under a rainout shelter to screen for depth penetration rates (DPR) of roots. Rooting depths of 1 to 1.5 m were achieved with 23 widely grown North European winter wheat cultivars in two autumn/winter and two summer experiments and nine of the cultivars were represented in two or more experiments. Heritability of DPR of roots was only consistent in autumn/winter experiments (27 %) signifying the importance of phenotyping in relevant seasons and environments. Depth penetration rate of roots varied significantly within the tested cultivars, from 1.39 (±0.35) mm °C^?1 day^?1 for cv. Tuareg to 2.07 (±0.34) mm °C^?1 day^?1, for cv. Mercedes. This study documented consistent differences of DPR among North-European winter wheat cultivars in long tube rhizotrons under semi-natural conditions, which may form part of future phenotyping facilities for deep rooting traits.     

“上棉下渔”对沿黄盐碱地土壤的改良作用

“上棉下渔”、“上粮下渔”盐碱地开发模式始于20 年前。近几年来随着养虾效益的提高,在山东博兴地区发展较快。探讨“上棉下渔”模式对盐碱地的改良效果,可以为下一步大力推广该模式提供理论依据。在博兴县选择3 个取样点,分别为未经开发的盐碱土,通过“上棉下渔”模式改良2 年和20 年后的台田土。为减少取样点土质对检测结果的影响,选择的这3 个取样点都相距在10 km以内;每个取样点在5 个土层取样,分别为0~20、20~40、40~60、60~80、80~100 cm土层。对3 个取样点不同土层的土壤总盐度、碱度、pH 值、有机质及可培养微生物的数量进行了研究。结果表明：开发2 年后,脱盐率达到59.7%,开发20 年之后,脱盐率达到90.3%;开发2 年后,土壤碱度变化不大,20 年后,土壤碱度由最初的2.004×10-3 mol/L 下降到0.6311×10-3 mol/L,说明土壤碱度改良难度较大;随着开发年数的增加,各土层pH值都较未开发时有所下降,逐渐接近中性;开发20 年后土壤有机质含量提高了15.58%;在0~20 cm土层,开发2 年之后的土壤可培养微生物的总量是未开发的12.73 倍。总体上来看,“上棉下渔”对沿黄盐碱地土壤有较好的改良作用,“上棉下渔”是一种非常值得推广的盐碱地改良措施。     

Importance of individual root traits to understand crop root system in agronomic and environmental contexts

Resource acquisition, one of the major functions of roots, can contribute to crop growth and mitigating environmental impacts. The spatio-temporal distribution of roots in the soil in relation to the dynamics of the soil resources is critical in resource acquisition. Root distribution is determined by root system development. The root system consists of many individual roots of different types and ages. Each individual root has specific development, resource acquisition, and transport traits, which change with root growth. The integration of individual root traits in the root system could exhibit crop performance in the various environments via root distribution in the soil. However, the relationship between individual root traits and the pattern of root distribution is complicated. To understand this complicated relationship, we need to evaluate enormous numbers of individual root traits and understand the relationship between individual root development and root distribution as well as the integrated functions of individual root traits along with dynamics of resources in the soil.     

Advances in “omics” approaches to tackle drought stress in grain legumes

Grain legumes being affordable sources of proteins, vitamins and essential micronutrients are key to human nutrition worldwide. However, frequent drought episodes present serious threat to grain legume production worldwide. Advances in legume omics in concert with evolving phenotyping and breeding techniques hold great promise to improve drought response of these crops. These resources could underpin prebreeding efforts to expedite discovery and deployment of novel drought tolerance traits into elite backgrounds. Fast-track transfer of traits that confer drought tolerance using marker technologies has been demonstrated in grain legumes like chickpea. However, complex genetic architecture of drought tolerance demands embracing more efficient tools like genomic selection (GS) for accelerated trait improvement. Recent studies on GS for addressing complex traits like drought tolerance have yielded encouraging results in these crops. Recently, speed breeding (SB) protocols have also been optimized for the improvement of long-day/day-neutral grain legumes. Efficacy of SB protocols with regard to complex traits awaits further evidences though. There remains immense scope for integrating SB with GS and gene editing to deliver drought-tolerant cultivars.     

黄淮海地区大豆品种苗期根系性状的遗传变异及与耐逆境胁迫的关系

从83份黄淮海地区代表性大豆地方品种和育成品种(系)中按根系类型选取32份,用以研究苗期根系性状的遗传特点、与地上部性状的相关以及与逆境胁迫的关系。大豆苗期一级侧根数、主根长、根干质量、总根长和根体积等性状,在品种间、各苗龄间均存在显著遗传变异;根系性状与整株干质量呈高度相关;根干质量、根总长和根体积的相对值与耐旱平均隶属函数值,一级侧根数、主根长、总根长、根体积、根干质量的相对值与耐铝毒平均隶属函数值呈极显著相关,且根系性状的相对值在品种间存在显著变异,可用做耐逆性选择的根系指标。     

不同连作年限对玉米制种产量及其农艺经济性状的影响

田间试验表明,玉米制种产量及其母本农艺经济性状随连作年限的延长呈递减、降低趋势。连作3～5年的产量递减率低,达1.24%～3.50%,农艺经济性状降低不明显;连作5年以上递减幅度逐年加大,农艺经济性状降低趋势明显,其中连作7～10年的产量递减率达6.75%～9.36%。导致减产的主要原因是连作年限延长影响玉米的生长发育,降低了穗粒数和千粒重。生产上制种玉米连作5年以下是可行的,长期连作必须加强地力培肥和土壤消毒灭菌。     

Molecular mapping of the brace root traits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

The presence and morphology of plant brace roots are important root architecture traits. Brace roots contribute significantly to effective anchorage and water and nutrient uptake during late growth and development, and more importantly, have a substantial influence on grain yield under soil flooding or water limited conditions. However, little is known about the genetic mechanisms that underlie brace root traits. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for presence of brace roots from the sorghum landrace “Sansui” were mapped and associated molecular markers were identified. A linkage map was constructed with 109 assigned simple sequence repeat markers using a F₂ mapping population derived from the cross Sansui/Jiliang 2. Two QTLs associated with presence of brace roots were localized on chromosomes 6 and 7. The major QTL on chromosome 7 between markers Dsenhsbm7 and Xcup 70 explained about 52.5% of the phenotypic variation, and the minor QTL on chromosome 6 was flanked by Xtxp127 and Xtxp6 and accounted for 7.0% of phenotypic variation. These results will provide information for the improvement of sorghum root architecture associated with brace roots.     

High Phytomass Producing Oats for Cultivation in Northern Growing Conditions

It has been argued that the breeding of cultivars with higher weight per panicle but constant phytomass (i.e., improved harvest index) is unlikely to improve grain yield of cereals in the future. To examine this question in oats, this study observed relationships between above-ground phytomass production and grain yield as well as 18 morphological and physiological traits representing maturity class and architecture of oat stand. The study was conducted in two dissimilar growing seasons. Material consisted of 29 Finnish and Scandinavian oat cultivars and breeding lines. Correlations between phytomass and other traits were evaluated by linear regression analysis. The study revealed that there has already been a trend toward improving the above-ground phytomass production in cereal breeding in Finland. The phytomass elevation can be attributed to both higher panicle weight as well as increased above-ground vegetative phytomass. Thus, improved grain yield of oats is not merely a consequence of increased harvest index, as is often mentioned, but is also a result of higher phytomass as such. The weight of the above-ground phytomass did not correlate with undesirable traits such as plant height or susceptibility to lodging, but it did have a positive relationship with days to yellow ripening. The applicability of phytomass weight in indirect yield breeding of oats in the northern growing conditions is discussed.     

籼稻品种的氮素累积量与根系性状的关系

2001和2002年,在群体水培条件下,分别以国内外不同年代育成的籼稻代表品种88个和122个为材料,测定植株的干物重、全氮含量以及13个有关根系性状,采用组内最小平方和的动态聚类方法对供试籼稻品种成熟期的氮素累积量进行聚类,分析不同氮素累积量类型籼稻品种根系有关性状的差异以及影响籼稻品种氮素累积量的主要根系性状。结果表明：(1) 供试籼稻品种成熟期氮素累积量差异很大,2001年A、B、C、D、E、F类籼稻品种的氮素累积量分别为10.40、13.47、16.17、18.50、20.72、25.13 g·m^-2,2002年分别为8.53、12.44、15.80、19.87、25.15、33.31 g·m^-2,类型间的差异均达显著水平;（2）全生育期天数和每日氮素吸收量对品种成熟期氮素累积量均有显著影响（R² = 0.960～0.996）,并且后者显著大于前者;（3）成熟期氮素累积量与单株不定根数、单株根干重、单株不定根总长、单株根系总吸收面积、单株根系活跃吸收面积、单株根系α-NA氧化量等全株根系性状关系密切,与单条不定根长、单条不定根粗、单条不定根重等单条不定根性状和单位干重根系总吸收面积、单位干重根系活跃吸收面积等单位干重根系活性指标关系不密切;（4）多元逐步回归分析表明,单株根干重、冠根比、单株不定根数和单株不定根总长是影响籼稻品种氮素累积量的主要根系性状（R²=0.429～0.591）。     

Organic input quality is more important than its quantity: C turnover coefficients in different cropping systems

Annual C input to soil is a major factor affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. However different types of C-sources can have different behaviour, in relation to their chemical characteristics and how they interact with soil. Root-derived C, in particular, should be more efficient than other organic materials as a result of the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the surrounding environment, leading to a reduction in the C decomposition rate.To test this hypothesis, we considered a long-term experiment underway in Northern Italy since 1962, comparing permanent meadow and 6 different crop rotations over a wide range of nutrient inputs, in both organic and inorganic forms. C inputs from amendments were measured and those from crops were calculated using allometric functions and crop and residues yields. The time evolution of SOC was studied through a single-pool, first-order kinetic model, allowing the estimation of humification coefficients for residues, roots, farmyard manure and cattle slurries.The highest value of the humification coefficient was estimated for farmyard manure, which confirmed its high efficiency in stabilising SOC content. Root C presented a humification coefficient 1.9 times higher than above-ground plant materials while slurries were intermediate, with a humification coefficient roughly half that of farmyard manure and even lower that of roots.The quality of C input thus seems of fundamental importance for evaluating the sustainability of different cropping systems in terms of SOC dynamics.     

地下水位对油菜生长及产量的影响

长江流域油菜生产主要采用水稻油菜轮作种植模式,地下水位高,易产生湿害。本试验采用PVC筒,在油菜4个生育期分别进行0、30、60和90 cm的地下水位处理,然后恢复至60 cm水位,比较2个耐渍性不同的油菜品系在不同生育期、不同水位条件下的生长状况及产量,从而确定油菜各生育阶段的适宜地下水位,为南方稻茬油菜排水降湿管理提供依据。试验结果表明: (1)地下水位高低影响了油菜的根系发育、地上部生长及产量形成;(2)就产量而言,各生育期对水分的敏感性依次为蕾薹期、花期﹥苗期、角果发育成熟期;(3)油菜苗期适宜地下水位为30~90 cm,蕾薹期、花期为30~60 cm,角果发育成熟期为30~90 cm;(4)就全生育期而言,即使选用耐渍性较弱的品种,地下水位控制在30~60 cm时能满足油菜生长发育及产量形成需求。     

适用于转录组测序的棉花幼根总RNA提取方法筛选

棉花幼根中含有大量酚类物质、多糖和单宁等多种次生代谢物,且根部取样时会带有少量的泥土和有机质等污染物,因此棉花幼根RNA提取难度较大.本文采用两种试剂盒法和改良的异硫氰酸胍法,筛选适合转录组测序的提取棉花幼根RNA的方法.与试剂盒法相比,改良的异硫氰酸胍法具有浓度高、质量好等特点,能够满足转录组测序的要求.