Food for thought: how nutrients regulate root system architecture

Abstract

HighlightsRoot system architecture is a precise readout of nutrient signalling.RSA is regulated by transcriptional, translational, redox and cell-wall processes.Peptides act as local and systemic signals in N and P signalling.Crosstalk of nutrient signalling pathways underpins interactive effects.RSA correlates with nutrient use efficiency and yield in crop genotypes.

Inoculation with the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis modulates the relationship between root growth and nutrient content in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.)

“…Root development is regulated by the combined action of internal developmental pathways and external environmental stimuli (Malamy and Ryan, 2001), conditioning both plasticity and intra- and inter-specific variation. These pathways are based on the action of plant hormones, signal receptors, transcription factors and secondary messengers, including Ca 2+ , nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (Fukaki and Tasaka, 2009; Garay-Arroyo et al, 2012; Jung and McCouch, 2013; Schlicht et al, 2013; Zhang et al, 2015; Shahzad and Amtmann, 2017). Auxin works with cytokinin to regulate LR initiation (Aloni et al, 2006), and with gibberellin to modulate cell proliferation and elongation (Fu and Harberd, 2003).…”

Nitrate affects transcriptional regulation of UPBEAT1 and ROS localisation in roots of Zea mays L.

“…Roots have to quickly sense and respond to changes in the physical and chemical features of the soil environment (White et al 2013), and attempts to understand how they do this have focused in particular on the striking effects of nitrate (NO 3 − ) on root growth and branching (Bhardwaj et al 2015). NO 3 − has a dual nutritional/signalling function and can exert a profound impact on the root system architecture (RSA) by altering the number, length, angle and diameter of the roots and root hairs (Zhang et al 1999, Shahzad and Amtmannm 2017, Sun et al 2017.…”

Transcriptome Changes Induced by Different Potassium Levels in Banana Roots

“…It is significant to study the response mechanism of root system under potassium stress. There has been extensive research on root structural changes in response to stress of nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate and the signaling pathways that mediate these changes [22], and practical breakthroughs have been made. However, the mechanism of root structural change and response to potassium stress is still unclear.With the purpose to explore the molecular mechanism of plant root response to potassium pressure, there are more and more reports on transcriptome, metabolome and proteomics of potassium stress (especially low potassium stress) in recent years.…”

“…It is significant to study the response mechanism of root system under potassium stress. There has been extensive research on root structural changes in response to stress of nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate and the signaling pathways that mediate these changes [22], and practical breakthroughs have been made. However, the mechanism of root structural change and response to potassium stress is still unclear.…”