Comparative systemic analysis of the cellular growth of leaves and roots in controlled conditions

Systemic research of plant growth and stress in a specially designed climatic hydroponics system

“…In performing the causality analysis, it was shown that the larger linear growth rate in leaves is mainly determined by the meristematic growth rate. So, the cytological reason (multicellular scale) for the rapid leaf growth is the same as in case of the prolonged meristem mentioned above (Šimkūnas et al., ).…”

“…In this research direction, we intend to estimate differences in the linear growth rates of the aboveground and underground plant organs and to identify the growth component (meristematic or elongation growth) responsible for these differences (Šimkūnas et al., ). It should be mentioned that a comparative analysis of the growth of plant organs is usually carried out with some methodical uncertainties that is, such an analysis is mainly performed based on data obtained in experiments carried out under different (not identical) conditions (temperature, illumination, simultaneity, etc.)…”

“…This in turn enables the determination of causality, that is, application of mathematical techniques to identify which components and to which extent are responsible for the differences in the growth of the shoots and roots. More details of these techniques and results obtained from them are provided in Šimkūnas et al., .…”

“…The assumption that the long lifespan of the cells in the leaf meristem is responsible for a longer leaf meristem and higher leaf growth rate (compared to the roots) should also be verified (the cell cycle duration in the leaves and roots is similar) (Šimkūnas et al., ). Recent literature has stated that the lifespan of the cells in the meristem is not influenced by factors such as X‐radiation, cytostatics or some protein biosynthesis inhibitors.…”

“…However, it is this level where the functional and structural organizations of an entire plant are often revealed and the biological significance of a particular phenomenon has been more often observed and evaluated. Some examples of that could include the polar development of the entire plant, the tropical balance of above and underground organs, and the phenomenon of apical dominance (Šimkūnas, Valašinaitė, & Denisov, ; Valašinaitė, Šimkūnas, & Denisov, ; Wuyts, Dhondt, & Inzé, ). Therefore, even the identification of molecular level data, concerned with which specific molecules and processes are needed at that level for a particular plant function, often lies at the intermediate level of research, that is, at the organism, organ and tissue levels.…”