BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Senescence is the process of losing fitness when growing old, and is shaped by the trade-off between maintenance and reproduction that makes reproduction more unsure and maintenance more costly with age. In repeatedly reproducing plants, reductions in growth and fertility are signs of senescence. Disturbance, however, provides an opportunity to reset the ageing clock and consequently potentially ameliorate senescence. METHODS: To test the effects of disturbance on traits closely related to fitness and thus to senescence, a long-term garden experiment was established with two short-lived perennial congeners,Barbarea vulgaris and Barbarea stricta, that differ in their ability to resprout after injury. In the experiment, five damage treatments were applied to plants in four different phenophases. KEY RESULTS: It was found that damage to the plant body significantly prolonged life span in B. vulgaris but decreased whole-life seed production in both species. High concentration of seed production in one growing season characterized short life spans. Both more severe damage and a more advanced phenological phase at the time of damage caused reproduction to be spread over more than one growing season and equalized per-season seed production. In terms of seed quality, average weight of a single seed decreased and seed germination rate increased with age regardless of damage. CONCLUSIONS: Although disturbance is able to reset the ageing clock of plants, it is so harmful to plant fitness that resprouting serves, at best, only to alleviate slightly the signs of senescence. Thus, in terms of whole-life seed production, injured plants were not more successful than uninjured ones in the two studied species. Indeed, in these species, injury only slightly postponed or decelerated senescence and did not cause effective rejuvenation.
- MeSH
- Barbarea growth & development MeSH
- Models, Biological MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Germination * MeSH
- Plant Roots growth & development MeSH
- Reproduction MeSH
- Seeds growth & development MeSH
- Models, Statistical MeSH
- Body Size MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adventitious sprouting from the hypocotyle and roots in monocarpic herbs has been confirmed in previous experimental studies as a means to avoid bud limitation after severe injury in annual and biennial plants. Data regarding the role of adventitious sprouting in natural populations, however, were lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess whether adventitious sprouting occurs in natural populations and how it is affected by plant size, plant injury, plant cover and environmental characteristics. METHODS: Data were sampled from 14 037 individual plants from 389 populations belonging to 22 annual and biennial species. Growth parameters were measured in individual plants, species composition and plant cover in communities were evaluated, and environmental characteristics were estimated using Ellenberg indicator values. KEY RESULTS: It was confirmed that adventitious sprouting occurs in natural populations of all but five species examined. Adventitious sprouting was positively affected by plant size and plant injury. Environmental factors including availability of soil nitrogen were not shown to affect adventitious sprouting. Annual and biennial plants did not differ in sprouting, but upright annuals had a lower number of and longer adventitious shoots than prostrate annuals. CONCLUSIONS: Adventitious bud formation is used to overcome meristem limitation when stem parts are lost due to injury, and thus resprouting in short-lived monocarps should not be overlooked.
- MeSH
- Biodiversity MeSH
- Nitrogen pharmacology MeSH
- Hypocotyl MeSH
- Plant Roots growth & development MeSH
- Soil analysis MeSH
- Plant Transpiration MeSH
- Plant Shoots drug effects growth & development physiology MeSH
- Environment MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The root is the below-ground organ of a plant, and it has evolved multiple signaling pathways that allow adaptation of architecture, growth rate, and direction to an ever-changing environment. Roots grow along the gravitropic vector towards beneficial areas in the soil to provide the plant with proper nutrients to ensure its survival and productivity. In addition, roots have developed escape mechanisms to avoid adverse environments, which include direct illumination. Standard laboratory growth conditions for basic research of plant development and stress adaptation include growing seedlings in Petri dishes on medium with roots exposed to light. Several studies have shown that direct illumination of roots alters their morphology, cellular and biochemical responses, which results in reduced nutrient uptake and adaptability upon additive stress stimuli. In this review, we summarize recent methods that allow the study of shaded roots under controlled laboratory conditions and discuss the observed changes in the results depending on the root illumination status.
- MeSH
- Adaptation, Physiological * MeSH
- Plant Roots metabolism radiation effects MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant radiation effects MeSH
- Plant Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- Plants metabolism radiation effects MeSH
- Seedlings metabolism radiation effects MeSH
- Light * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may improve plant performance at disturbed sites, but inoculation may also suppress root colonization by native AMF and decrease the diversity of the root-colonizing AMF community. This has been shown for the roots of directly inoculated plants, but little is known about the stability of inoculation effects, and to which degree the inoculant and the inoculation-induced changes in AMF community composition spread into newly emerging seedlings that were not in direct contact with the introduced propagules. We addressed this topic in a greenhouse experiment based on the soil and native AMF community of a post-mining site. Plants were cultivated in compartmented pots with substrate containing the native AMF community, where AMF extraradical mycelium radiating from directly inoculated plants was allowed to inoculate neighboring plants. The abundances of the inoculated isolate and of native AMF taxa were monitored in the roots of the directly inoculated plants and the neighboring plants by quantitative real-time PCR. As expected, inoculation suppressed root colonization of the directly inoculated plants by other AMF taxa of the native AMF community and also by native genotypes of the same species as used for inoculation. In the neighboring plants, high abundance of the inoculant and the suppression of native AMF were maintained. Thus, we demonstrate that inoculation effects on native AMF propagate into plants that were not in direct contact with the introduced inoculum, and are therefore likely to persist at the site of inoculation.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The maize lrt1 (lateral rootless1) mutant is impaired in its development of lateral roots during early post-embryonic development. The aim of this study was to characterize, in detail, the influences that the mutation exerts on lateral root initiation and the subsequent developments, as well as to describe the behaviour of the entire plant under variable environmental conditions. METHODS: Mutant lrt1 plants were cultivated under different conditions of hydroponics, and in between sheets of moist paper. Cleared whole mounts and anatomical sections were used in combination with both selected staining procedures and histochemical tests to follow root development. Root surface permeability tests and the biochemical quantification of lignin were performed to complement the structural data. KEY RESULTS: The data presented suggest a redefinition of lrt1 function in lateral roots as a promoter of later development; however, neither the complete absence of lateral roots nor the frequency of their initiation is linked to lrt1 function. The developmental effects of lrt1 are under strong environmental influences. Mutant primordia are affected in structure, growth and emergence; and the majority of primordia terminate their growth during this last step, or shortly thereafter. The lateral roots are impaired in the maintenance of the root apical meristem. The primary root shows disturbances in the organization of both epidermal and subepidermal layers. The lrt1-related cell-wall modifications include: lignification in peripheral layers, the deposition of polyphenolic substances and a higher activity of peroxidase. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides novel insights into the function of the lrt1 gene in root system development. The lrt1 gene participates in the spatial distribution of initiation, but not in its frequency. Later, the development of lateral roots is strongly affected. The effect of the lrt1 mutation is not as obvious in the primary root, with no influences observed on the root apical meristem structure and maintenance; however, development of the epidermis and cortex are impaired.
- MeSH
- Cell Wall metabolism MeSH
- Plant Epidermis anatomy & histology genetics growth & development MeSH
- Hydroponics MeSH
- Plant Roots cytology genetics growth & development MeSH
- Zea mays cytology genetics growth & development MeSH
- Lignin metabolism MeSH
- Meristem cytology genetics growth & development MeSH
- Mutation MeSH
- Polyphenols metabolism MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant * MeSH
- Plant Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- Seedlings cytology genetics growth & development MeSH
- Plant Shoots cytology genetics growth & development MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental MeSH
- Environment MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Root hairs and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) coexist in root systems for nutrient and water absorption, but the relation between AM and root hairs is poorly known. A pot study was performed to evaluate the effects of four different AM fungi (AMF), namely, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Diversispora versiformis, Funneliformis mosseae, and Rhizophagus intraradices on root hair development in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings grown in sand. Mycorrhizal seedlings showed significantly higher root hair density than non-mycorrhizal seedlings, irrespective of AMF species. AMF inoculation generally significantly decreased root hair length in the first- and second-order lateral roots but increased it in the third- and fourth-order lateral roots. AMF colonization induced diverse responses in root hair diameter of different order lateral roots. Considerably greater concentrations of phosphorus (P), nitric oxide (NO), glucose, sucrose, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were found in roots of AM seedlings than in non-AM seedlings. Levels of P, NO, carbohydrates, IAA, and MeJA in roots were correlated with AM formation and root hair development. These results suggest that AMF could alter the profile of root hairs in trifoliate orange through modulation of physiological activities. F. mosseae, which had the greatest positive effects, could represent an efficient AM fungus for increasing fruit yields or decreasing fertilizer inputs in citrus production.
- MeSH
- Biomass MeSH
- Citrus growth & development microbiology MeSH
- Glomeromycota physiology MeSH
- Plant Roots growth & development metabolism microbiology MeSH
- Mycorrhizae growth & development physiology MeSH
- Poncirus growth & development microbiology MeSH
- Soil MeSH
- Soil Microbiology MeSH
- Seedlings growth & development metabolism microbiology MeSH
- Symbiosis physiology MeSH
- Plant Shoots growth & development metabolism microbiology MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The apical hook is a transiently formed structure that plays a protective role when the germinating seedling penetrates through the soil towards the surface. Crucial for proper bending is the local auxin maxima, which defines the concave (inner) side of the hook curvature. As no sign of asymmetric auxin distribution has been reported in embryonic hypocotyls prior to hook formation, the question of how auxin asymmetry is established in the early phases of seedling germination remains largely unanswered. Here, we analyzed the auxin distribution and expression of PIN auxin efflux carriers from early phases of germination, and show that bending of the root in response to gravity is the crucial initial cue that governs the hypocotyl bending required for apical hook formation. Importantly, polar auxin transport machinery is established gradually after germination starts as a result of tight root-hypocotyl interaction and a proper balance between abscisic acid and gibberellins.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
- MeSH
- Arabidopsis MeSH
- Plants, Genetically Modified MeSH
- Gibberellins metabolism MeSH
- Hypocotyl growth & development MeSH
- Germination physiology MeSH
- Plant Roots growth & development MeSH
- Abscisic Acid metabolism MeSH
- Indoleacetic Acids metabolism MeSH
- Meristem growth & development MeSH
- Gravity Sensing physiology MeSH
- Arabidopsis Proteins metabolism MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
- Plant Growth Regulators metabolism MeSH
- Seedlings growth & development MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND: Many experimental studies have confirmed collateral sprouting of axons after end-to-side neurorrhaphy and its possible clinical application. There is still controversy about how the surgical method should be carried out. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate collateral sprouting of motor and sensory axons after end-to-side neurorrhaphy with and without the perineurial window. METHODS: End-to-side neurorrhaphy of the distal stump of transected musculocutaneous nerve with intact ulnar nerve with or without a perineurial window was performed in a rat model. Collateral sprouts were quantitatively evaluated by counting of motor and sensory neurons following their retrograde labeling by Fluoro-Ruby and Fluoro-Emerald applied to the ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves, respectively. RESULTS: Our results show that significantly more motor and sensory axons sent their collateral branches into the recipient nerve in the group with a perineurial window. Some axons were injured during preparation of the perineurial window; the injured axons reinnervated directly into the recipient nerve to contribute to results of functional reinnervation. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that it is necessary to create a perineurial window when using end-to-side neurorrhaphy in clinical practice, especially in brachial plexus reconstruction.
- MeSH
- Anastomosis, Surgical MeSH
- Axons MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Motor Neurons cytology MeSH
- Sensory Receptor Cells cytology MeSH
- Musculocutaneous Nerve cytology growth & development surgery MeSH
- Ulnar Nerve cytology growth & development MeSH
- Grooming physiology MeSH
- Peripheral Nerves cytology surgery MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Ganglia, Spinal cytology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
The cytokinin response factors (CRFs) are a group of related AP2/ERF transcription factors that are transcriptionally induced by cytokinin. Here we explore the role of the CRFs in Arabidopsis thaliana growth and development by analyzing lines with decreased and increased CRF function. While single crf mutations have no appreciable phenotypes, disruption of multiple CRFs results in larger rosettes, delayed leaf senescence, a smaller root apical meristem (RAM), reduced primary and lateral root growth, and, in etiolated seedlings, shorter hypocotyls. In contrast, overexpression of CRFs generally results in the opposite phenotypes. The crf1,2,5,6 quadruple mutant is embryo lethal, indicating that CRF function is essential for embryo development. Disruption of the CRFs results in partially insensitivity to cytokinin in a root elongation assay and affects the basal expression of a significant number of cytokinin-regulated genes, including the type-A ARRs, although it does not impair the cytokinin induction of the type-A ARRs. Genes encoding homeobox transcription factors are mis-expressed in the crf1,3,5,6 mutant, including STIMPY/WOX9 that is required for root and shoot apical meristem maintenance roots and which has previously been linked to cytokinin. These results indicate that the CRF transcription factors play important roles in multiple aspects of plant growth and development, in part through a complex interaction with cytokinin signaling.
- MeSH
- Arabidopsis genetics growth & development physiology MeSH
- Cytokinins metabolism MeSH
- Gene Expression MeSH
- Phenotype MeSH
- Homeodomain Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- Plant Roots genetics growth & development physiology MeSH
- Meristem genetics growth & development physiology MeSH
- Mutation MeSH
- Arabidopsis Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
- Plant Growth Regulators metabolism MeSH
- Seedlings genetics growth & development physiology MeSH
- Signal Transduction * MeSH
- Transcription Factors genetics metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Root-hemiparasitic plants of the genus Rhinanthus acquire resources through a water-wasting physiological strategy based on high transpiration rate mediated by the accumulation of osmotically active compounds and constantly open stomata. Interestingly, they were also documented to withstand moderate water stress which agrees with their common occurrence in rather dry habitats. Here, we focused on the water-stress physiology of Rhinanthus alectorolophus by examining gas exchange, water relations, stomatal density, and biomass production and its stable isotope composition in adult plants grown on wheat under contrasting (optimal and drought-inducing) water treatments. We also tested the effect of water stress on the survival of Rhinanthus seedlings, which were watered either once (after wheat sowing), twice (after wheat sowing and the hemiparasite planting) or continuously (twice and every sixth day after that). Water shortage significantly reduced seedling survival as well as the biomass production and gas exchange of adult hemiparasites. In spite of that drought-stressed and even wilted plants from both treatments still considerably photosynthesized and transpired. Strikingly, low-irrigated plants exhibited significantly elevated photosynthetic rate compared with high-irrigated plants of the same water status. This might relate to biochemical adjustments of these plants enhancing the resource uptake from the host. Moreover, low-irrigated plants did not acclimatize to water stress by lowering their osmotic potential, perhaps due to the capability to tolerate drought without such an adjustment, as their osmotic potential at full turgor was already low. Contrary to results of previous studies, hemiparasites seem to close their stomata in response to severe drought stress and this happens probably passively after turgor is lost in guard cells. The physiological traits of hemiparasites, namely the low osmotic potential associated with their parasitic lifestyle and the ability to withstand drought and recover from the wilting likely enable them to grow in dry habitats. However, the absence of osmotic adjustment of adults and sensitivity of seedlings to severe drought stress demonstrated here may result in a substantial decline of the hemiparasitic species with ongoing climate change.
- MeSH
- Biomass MeSH
- Dehydration MeSH
- Photosynthesis MeSH
- Stress, Physiological physiology MeSH
- Plant Roots MeSH
- Plant Leaves anatomy & histology physiology MeSH
- Orobanchaceae anatomy & histology physiology MeSH
- Plant Stomata anatomy & histology physiology MeSH
- Seedlings anatomy & histology physiology MeSH
- Plant Transpiration MeSH
- Water * metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
