Root Anatomical Traits and Their Possible Contribution to Drought Tolerance in Grain Legumes

Abstract

These root segments were thinner in both groundnut and pigeonpea than in other legumes but similar to those of pearl millet. Soybean and pigeonpea had a relatively thinner cortex than the other legumes. Xylem vessel size and the numbers were apparently the most discriminating traits of legumes. Pigeonpea is equipped to conduct small quantities of water per unit time with a few narrow xylem vessels and that explains the conservative early growth of pigeonpea. Chickpea and cowpea showed moderate xylem passage per root indicating that they are capable of absorbing water moderately and are well equipped for regular drought episodes. The development of cortical and stele tissue and their proportion is markedly influenced by moisture availability to the root system.

Morphoanatomical and Biochemical Changes in the Roots of Rice Plants Induced by Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms

“…Br.) [27,28]. This tolerance may result in higher productivity compared to plants not treated with PGPMs in upland systems [29,30].…”

Traits of relevance to improve yield under terminal drought stress in chickpea (C. arietinum L.)

“…Compared to most other legumes, root system of chickpea is known to be well adapted for growing under receding soil moisture conditions by possessing more number of thin xylem vessels facilitating effective, less energy-requiring soil moisture absorption (Purushothaman et al, 2013). Also in chickpea, a large genetic diversity has been reported on the root biomass as well as rooting depth, and promising genotypes were also identified (Kashiwagi et al, 2005).…”

Plant Water Uptake in Drying Soils

“…The anatomy of xylem vessels also displays a large variability in Zea spp. (Burton et al, 2013), rice (Uga et al, 2008), legumes (Purushothaman et al, 2013), or coniferous (McCulloh et al, 2010). Transient modifications of the axial conductance occur as a result of xylem vessel embolism, or cavitation, following the nucleation and rapid expansion of gas bubbles under high tension.…”