Biological adhesion in seagrasses: The role of substrate roughness in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile seedling anchorage via adhesive root hairs

Zenone, Arturo; Alagna, Adriana; D’Anna, Giovanni; Kovalev, Alexander; Kreitschitz, Agnieszka; Badalamenti, Fabio; Gorb, Stanislav N.

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105012

Cited by 18 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Our analysis of the morphology and ultrastructure of P. oceanica seedlings showed a unique pad formation process characterized by the root hair tip branching behavior and by the presence of a solidifying (filler) substance at the substrate/ pad interface. These two features, reported here for the first time, together with the presented numerical model simulations allow for better understanding of the adhesion mechanism of P. oceanica described in previous works (Alagna et al, 2015;Badalamenti et al, 2015;Tomasello et al, 2018;Zenone et al, 2020). The numerical model simulated the contact formation of the P. oceanica seedling root hair on hard rough substrates, clarifying what role the physical properties of the root hairs play in pad formation and in the facilitation of the attachment process.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…and 3) Can attachment properties of the root hair be explained exclusively by mechanical interlocking? In this work, we hypothesize that: 1) root hair softness plays a fundamental role in the adhesion process; 2) the substrate micro-roughness at to the scale of the root hair diameter improves proper contact area formation and additionally contributes to the mechanical interlocking; and 3) a glue-like substance may be additionally involved in the adhesion mechanism, as hypothesized by Zenone et al (2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Root hairs appear soon after germination at the hypocotyl and both at the principal and adventitious roots. When not in contact with the substrate, root hair tips remain long and straight, but they quickly begin to branch after contact formation (Alagna et al, 2015;Badalamenti et al, 2015;Zenone et al, 2020). P. oceanica may thrive in habitats characterized by high hydrodynamism (Montefalcone et al, 2016) hence its anchorage system has to be highly efficient, especially in the early life stages, when seeds reach the recruitment sites and settlement occurs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Posidonia oceanica roots form a pad starting from the branching of a single cell, the root hair, which determines the anchoring via mechanical interlocking (Zenone et al, 2020). Root hairs adapt themselves to the characteristics of the substrate on which the attachment process occurs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Root hairs adapt themselves to the characteristics of the substrate on which the attachment process occurs. The pad morphology depends on the substrate micro-roughness and optimal adhesion is achieved at a micro-roughness of 3-52 µm (asperities diameter), while the maximum adhesion force occurs at a micro-roughness of 12 µm, a value similar to the average diameter of the root hair (Zenone et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Root Hair Adhesion in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Seedlings: A Numerical Modelling Approach

Zenone¹,

Filippov²,

Kovalev³

et al. 2020

Front. Mech. Eng.

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Animals and plants use adhesion to move, to anchor to a substrate, or to disperse seeds and fruits. Some plants developed a root pad as a common strategy to adhere to consolidated substrates. In the marine environment, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica attaches firmly to consolidated substrates via adhesive root hairs, forming a pad structure. We used novel morphological and ultrastructural data to develop a numerical model to study the dynamics of root hair adhesion during contact formation on rough consolidated substrates for this species. Morphological analysis, conducted using Scanning Electron Microscope, highlighted the role of root hair branching in pad formation. Transmission Electron Microscope microscopy allowed us to identify a glue-like substance at the pad/ substrate interface. The numerical model highlighted the role played by the cell wall's elasticity in pad formation and its importance in guaranteeing a firm adhesion. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these mechanisms was assessed at different simulated roughness levels. Increasing knowledge on the adhesion mechanism of seagrass to consolidated substrates could be pivotal in developing advanced seedling-based restoration protocols. The findings of this study could contribute to restoration activities planned to contrast seagrass regression. Transplanting initiatives using seedlings can now better address the search for suitable and low-impact ways to fix germinated plants to the substrate.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Root Hair Adhesion in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Seedlings: A Numerical Modelling Approach

Zenone¹,

Filippov²,

Kovalev³

et al. 2020

Front. Mech. Eng.

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Functional Ecology of Vascular Epiphytes

Zotz

Hietz

Einzmann

2021

Annual Plant Reviews Online

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The epiphytic life form characterizes almost 10% of all vascular plants. Defined by their mechanical dependence throughout their life and their non‐parasitic relationship with the host, the term epiphyte describes a very heterogenous and taxonomically diverse group of plants. This article explores the functional ecology of this group, acknowledging from the start that our current knowledge is highly biased, e.g. with a strong focus on particular families like bromeliads or orchids. This bias goes along with a number of problematic and weakly founded generalizations in the literature. Our article covers a set of particularly important aspects of epiphyte ecology, e.g. germination, water and nutrient relationships, and biomechanical aspects of the epiphyte‐host relationship. Throughout our article, we describe ways for future research projects to reach a more comprehensive and representative understanding of the biological responses to the varying challenges of the arboreal habitat, and emphasize that the study of epiphytes should not only be of interest to the narrow expert: a comparison of the functional ecology of epiphytes and ground‐rooted terrestrials offers unique perspectives to understanding both evolutionary and ecological, phenotypic responses to the diverse habitats of vascular plants in general.

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Holding on or falling off: The attachment mechanism of epiphytic Anthurium obtusum changes with substrate roughness

Tay

Kovalev

Zotz

et al. 2022

American J of Botany

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Premise: For vascular epiphytes, secure attachment to their hosts is vital for survival. Yet studies detailing the adhesion mechanism of epiphytes to their substrate are scarce. Examination of the root hair-substrate interface is essential to understand the attachment mechanism of epiphytes to their substrate. This study also investigated how substrate microroughness relates to the root-substrate attachment strength and the underlying mechanism(s). Methods: Seeds of Anthurium obtusum were germinated, and seedlings were transferred onto substrates made of epoxy resin with different defined roughness. After 2 months of growth, roots that adhered to the resin tiles were subjected to anchorage tests, and root hair morphology at different roughness levels was analyzed using light and cryo scanning electron microscopy. Results: The highest maximum peeling force was recorded on the smooth surface (glass replica, 0 µm). Maximum peeling force was significantly higher on fine roughness (0, 0.3, 12 µm) than on coarse (162 µm). Root hair morphology varied according to the roughness of the substrate. On smoother surfaces, root hairs were flattened to achieve large surface contact with the substrate. Attachment was mainly by adhesion with the presence of a glue-like substance. On coarser surfaces, root hairs were tubular and conformed to spaces between the asperities on the surface. Attachment was mainly via mechanical interlocking of root hairs and substrate. Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time that the attachment mechanism of epiphytes varies depending on substrate microtopography, which is important for understanding epiphyte attachment on natural substrates varying in roughness.

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Biological adhesion in seagrasses: The role of substrate roughness in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile seedling anchorage via adhesive root hairs

Cited by 18 publications

References 45 publications

Root Hair Adhesion in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Seedlings: A Numerical Modelling Approach

Root Hair Adhesion in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Seedlings: A Numerical Modelling Approach

Functional Ecology of Vascular Epiphytes

Holding on or falling off: The attachment mechanism of epiphytic Anthurium obtusum changes with substrate roughness

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