Does the root to shoot ratio show a hormetic response to stress? An ecological and environmental perspective

Root/shoot(R/S)ratio is an important index for assessing plant health,and has received increased attention in the last decades as a sensitive indicator of plant stress induced by chemical or physical agents.The R/S ratio has been discussed in the context of ecological theory and its potential importance in ecological succession,where species follow different strategies for above-ground growth for light or below-ground competition for water and nutrients.We present evidence showing the R/S ratio follows a biphasic dose–response relationship under stress,typical of hormesis.The R/S ratio in response to stress has been widely compared among species and ecological succession classes.It is constrained by a variety of factors such as ontogeny.Furthermore,the current literature lacks dose-response studies incorporating the full dose–response continuum,hence limiting scientific understanding and possible valuable application.The data presented provide an important perspective for new-generation studies that can advance current ecological understanding and improve carbon storage estimates by R/S ratio considerations.Hormetic response of the R/S ratio can have an important role in forestry for producing seedlings with desired characteristics to achieve maximum health/productivity and resilience under plantation conditions.

Water Deficit Stress Effects on Corn (<i>Zea mays</i>, L.) Root:Shoot Ratio

A study was conducted at Akron, CO, USA, on a Weld silt loam in 2004 to quantify the effects of water deficit stress on corn (Zea mays, L.) root and shoot biomass. Corn plants were grown under a range of soil bulk density and water conditions caused by previous tillage, crop rotation, and irrigation management. Water deficit stress (Dstress) was quantified by the number of days when the water content in the surface 0.3 m deviated from the water content range determined by the Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR). Root and shoot samples were collected at the V6, V12, and R1 growth stages. There was no significant correlation between Dstress and shoot or root biomass at the V6 growth stage. At the V12 and R1 growth stages, there were negative, linear correlations among Dstress and both root biomass and shoot biomass. The proportional decrease of shoot biomass was greater than the proportional decrease in root biomass, leading to an increase in the root:shoot ratio as water deficit stress increased at all growth stages. Determining restrictive soil conditions using the LLWR may be useful for evaluating improvement or degradation of the soil physical environment caused by soil management.

Establishment of highly efficient plant regeneration of Paeonia ostii‘Fengdan’through optimization of callus,adventitious shoot,and rooting induction

Tree peony is a famous ornamental plant,while the low propagation rate is the main hurdles hindering the industry development.Till now,the highly efficient regeneration system for tree peony is not established.In this study,using Paeonia ostii’Fengdan’mature embryos,the effects of variations in inoculation method,initiating culture,adventitious shoot induction,rooting media,plant growth regulators(PGRs),and a nonconventional PGR(plant extracts)on regeneration from explants were evaluated.In embryo cultures,embryonic callus induction rate of 1/4 embryos was the highest among those of embryos with other three technical treatments(whole embryos,1/2 embryos,and pieces of embryos).The woody plant medium(WPM)containing 1.0 mg·L^(-1)6-BA,0.5 mg·L^(-1)GA3,30.0 g·L^(-1)sucrose,and 3.0 g·L^(-1)phytagel significantly improved shoot induction and multiplication.3.0 mg·L^(-1)plant extracts promoted hypocotyl germination,rooting,and root growth,in direct embryo culture,and a combination of 3.0 mg·L^(-1)plant extracts+2.0 mg·L^(-1)IBA+1.5 mg·L^(-1)IAA produced optimal rooting induction rate for multiple shoots in direct embryo culture and indirect somatic embryogenesis.For the three in vitro micropropagation methods,the highest shoot proliferation coefficient(5.4±0.2)was obtained with indirect somatic embryogenesis.Fortunately,the propagation ability of shoots remains high,even when culture propagation was continued for more than two years.Thus,a reliable system for plant regeneration from mature embryos derived from P.ostii’Fengdan’callus and two direct embryo culture systems have been established.The novel regeneration system could facilitate uniform seedling production.

Lateral root elongation in maize is related to auxin synthesis and transportation mediated by N metabolism under a mixed NO_(3)^(–) and NH_(4)^(+) supply

A mixed nitrate (NO_(3)^(–)) and ammonium (NH_(4)^(+)) supply can promote root growth in maize (Zea mays),however,the changes in root morphology and the related physiological mechanism under different N forms are still unclear.Here,maize seedlings were grown hydroponically with three N supplied in three different forms (NO_(3)^(–)only,75/25 NO_(3)^(–)/NH_(4)^(+)and NH_(4)^(+)only).Compared with sole NO_(3)^(–)or NH_(4)^(+),the mixed N supply increased the total root length of maize but did not affect the number of axial roots.The main reason was the increased total lateral root length,while the average lateral root (LR) length in each axle was only slightly increased.In addition,the average LR density of 2nd whorl crown root under mixed N was also increased.Compared with sole nitrate,mixed N could improve the N metabolism of roots (such as the N influx rate,nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthase (GS)enzyme activities and total amino content of the roots).Experiments with exogenously added NR and GS inhibitors suggested that the increase in the average LR length under mixed N was related to the process of N assimilation,and whether the NR mediated NO synthesis participates in this process needs further exploration.Meanwhile,an investigation of the changes in root-shoot ratio and carbon (C) concentration showed that C transportation from shoots to roots may not be the key factor in mediating lateral root elongation,and the changes in the sugar concentration in roots further proved this conclusion.Furthermore,the synthesis and transportation of auxin in axial roots may play a key role in lateral root elongation,in which the expression of ZmPIN1B and ZmPIN9 may be involved in this pathway.This study preliminarily clarified the changes in root morphology and explored the possible physiological mechanism under a mixed N supply in maize,which may provide some theoretical basis for the cultivation of crop varieties with high N efficiency.

Regulation of phytohormones on root primordium initiation and adventitious root formation in the etiolated shoots of Paeonia suffruticosa'Yinfen Jinlin'

Tree peony is well known and sought after for its large, colorful flowers. Its propagation is via vegetative methods. Mech- nisms of the adventitious rooting and the regulation of rooting processes are the principles and techniques of plant propagation and improvement. Microstructures and fluctuations of phytohormones in the adventitious rooting were studied with the etiolated soft- wood shoots of Paeonia suffkuticosa ＇Yinfen Jinlin＇. There are no pre-primordia in the shoots of the cultivar. Adventitious roots are produced in five stages： shoot selection, primordium initiation, primordium growth, conducting tissue differentiation and root protru- sion. Primordia initiated in the cortex. The contents of the endogenous hormones, IAA, ABA and GA, were 5.842, 0.873 and 1.043 nmol·g^-1 FW on the bases of shoots, respectively. CTKs which included isopentenyl adenine （iPA）, zeatin riboside （ZR） and dihy- drozeatin riboside （DHZR） were 0.949, 0.695 and 2.034 nmol·g^-1 FW, respectively. DHZR is active among CTKs. The ratio of IAA to GA, CTK and ABA clearly increased at the stage of primordium initiation, while they showed low levels at the stages of primor- dium growth. The ratios were restored at the shoot levels at the stage of root protrusion. IBA provoked primordia initiation in the cortex, the vascular cambium, the pith and even in the callus induced on the base of shoots. ]AA levels in the treated shoots increased gradually to its highest level （three times of control） at the stage of conducting tissue differentiation. The ratios of IAA to GA, CTK and ABA clearly decreased at the stage of primordium initiation. The ratio of IAA to ABA is regulated at 10：1.

Effects of Free-air CO2 Enrichment on Root Characteristics and C:N Ratio of Rice at the Heading Stage

A hydroponics experiment was conducted to investigate the rice root growth in FACE （free-air carbon dioxide enrichment）. The root biomass, root volume, ratio of root/shoot, number of adventitious roots and root diameter significantly increased under FACE conditions, while the CO2 enrichment decreased the N concentration in rice roots without any change in the C content, leading to an increase in root C：N ratio. Moreover, the elevated CO2 resulted in a remarkable decrease of root activity, expressed as per unit root dry weight, which might be responsible for decreased N concentration in roots.

The Equilibrium and Growth Stability of Winter Wheat Root and Shoot Under Different Soil Water Conditions

The equilibrium between root, shoot and growth stability under different soil water conditions were investigated in a tube experiment of winter wheat. The water supplying treatments included： sufficient irrigation at whole growth phase, moderate deficiency irrigation at whole growth phase, serious deficiency irrigation at whole growth phase, sufficient irrigation at jointing stage, tillering stage, flowering stage, and fillering respectively, after moderate and serious water deficit during their previous growth stage. Root and shoot biomass were measured. On the basis of the cooperative root-shoot interactions model, the equilibrium and growth stability were studied on the strength of the kinetics system theory. There was only one varying equilibrium point between the root and shoot over the life time of the winter wheat plant. Water stress prolonged the duration of stable growth, the more serious the water deficit, the longer the period of stable growth. The duration of stable growth was shortened and that of unstable growth was prolonged after water recovery. The growth behavior of the plants exposed to moderate water deficit shifted from stable to unstable until the end of the growth, after rewatering at flowering. In the life-time of the crop, the root and shoot had been adjusting themselves in structure and function so as to maintain an equilibrium, but could not achieve the equilibrium state for long. They were always in an unbalanced state from the beginning to the end of growth. This was the essence of root-shoot equilibrium. Water stress inhibited the function of root and shoot, reduced root shoot interactions, and as a result, the plant growth gradually tended to stabilize. Rewatering enhanced root shoot interactions, prolonged duration of instable growth. Rewatering at flowering could upset the inherent relativity during the long time of stable growth from flowering to filling stage, thus leading to unstable growth and enhanced dry matter accumulating rate in the whole plant.

Effects of Soil Moisture on Dynamic Distribution of Dry Matter Between Winter Wheat Root and Shoot

The dynamic relationship of dry matter accumulation and distribution between winter wheat root and shoot was studied under different soil water conditions. The dry matter accumulation in root was greatly influenced by water stress, so as to the final root weight of the treatment with 40% field moisture capacity(FMC) was less than 1/4 of that of the treatment with 80% FMC on average. Water stress during the 3-leaf stage to the tillering stage had the greatest influence on root, and the influence of water stress during the jointing stage to the booting stage on shoot was greater than root. However, water stress during the tillering stage to the booting stage had a balanced effect on root and shoot, and the proportion of dry matter that distributed to root and shoot was almost the same after rewatering. Water recovery during the jointing stage to booting stage could promote R/S, but the increasing degree was related to the duration of water limitation. Soil water condition had the lowest effect on R/S during the flowering stage to the filling stage and the maximal effect on R/S during the jointing stage to the heading stage, R/S of 40% FMC treatment was 20.93 and 126.09% higher than that of 60% FMC and 80% FMC treatments respectively at this period.

Differential responses of root growth to nutrition with different ammonium/nitrate ratios involve auxin distribution in two tobacco cultivars

Nitrogen(N), the major forms of which are nitrate(NO3–) and ammonium(NH4+), plays an important role in plant growth and mediation of root development. However, the role of auxin in root growth in response to different NH4+/NO3– ratios remains unclear. Two tobacco cultivars(Nicotiana tabacum L.) were adopted in this study, which displayed variant growth features under the situations with sole NO3– nutrition ratio(NH4+/NO3– ratio: 0/100), low NO3– nutrition ratio(NH4+/NO3– ratio: 97/3), and optimal NH4+/NO3– ratio(50/50). We investigated the effects of the different NH4+/NO3– ratios on the formation and elongation of lateral roots(LRs), auxin concentration, DR5::GUS expression, 3 H-labeled indole acetic acid([3 H]IAA) transport, and the expression of six PIN genes in tobacco roots. We also examined the effects of exogenous auxin and a transport inhibitor on LRs growth. The results are shown as follows, compared to optimal N nutrition conditions, the biomass and nitrogen(N) accumulation were largely reduced by sole and low NO3– nutrition treatment in NC89, but no difference was observed in Zhongyan 100. In most cases, sole and low NO3– nutrition impaired the elongation and formation of firstorder lateral roots(1° LRs), only in NC89, thus reducing the root growth. IAA concentration and DR5::GUS expression levels decreased in roots when NC89 was subjected to sole and low NO3– nutrition media, suggesting that different NH4+/NO3– ratios affect the transport of auxin from leaves to roots. Results were similar following exogenous NAA application to low NO3– nutrition treated seedlings. Based on direct [3 H]IAA transport measurement, the transport of polar auxin from shoots to roots decreased due to low NO3– nutrition. PIN4 expression levels were markedly decreased in roots of NC89by sole and low NO3– nutrition, while they were unaffected in Zhongyan 100 roots. Overall, our findings suggest that LRs formation in tobacco seedlings is regulated by NH4+/NO3– ratios via modifying polar transport of auxin.

Root-shoot relationships of Fraxinus mandchurica

In this paper, root-shoot relationships of seedlings of Manchurican ash (Fraxinus mandchurica) in pots is studied in green house. The results show that roots and shoots have the co-ordination of growth and roots and shoots of ash have the same growth dynamics. There are very close relationships between toall root mass and total shoot mass, between fine root mass and leaf mass in this experiments. At the end growing season, ash root-shoot mass ratio and fine root-leaf mass ratio are 1 .85 and 2.01 respectively. These ratios are difference during growth season. There are larger roots than shoots on seedling stage. Low nitrogen and phosphorus produce higher root-shoot ratio, and high nutrient concentrations decrease the ratios.

Variations in shoot and root growth of three provenances of Faidherbia albida in clay and sand soil

The variation in shoot and root seedling growth traits was compared among three Faidherbia albida （Del）. A. Chev. provenances originating from Kenya （Taveta）, Malawi （Bolero） and Ghana （Bolgatanga）; representing east, south and west Africa, respectively. Bulked seeds from three provenances were grown in two soil types （clay and sand） at the World Agroforestry Centre nursery, Nairobi. Seedlings grown in clay soil had high shoot growth and shoot to root ratios but shorter root length, lower number of nodules and specific root length compared to seedlings in sand soil. Shoot to root ratios reduced with time and this was more pronounced in sand soil. Overall, the Bolero and Taveta provenances had higher growth than the Bolgatanga provenance. This was probably because plants grown in nutrient-rich clay soil invest more in shoot growth as compared to root growth. Longer root growth in sand soil shows a better adaptive mechanism that increases competitive ability and survival in nutrient-poor systems. Variations observed among the seedling variables such us shoot and root growth could be used for early selection for reforestation and agroforestry in predominantly clay and sand soil areas.

Phytohormones Accumulation and Distribution in Shoots and Roots of Haploid,Diploid and Tetraploid Barley Seedlings Derived from Microspore Culture

Phytohormones play important roles in plant growth and development,and polyploids are thought to be an important method for plant breeding.However,the relationship between ploidy and phytohormone is still unclear.In this study,barley at three ploidy levels were produced by microspore culture.Therefore,we further analyzed the phytohormone content in the shoots and roots of the three kinds of barley materials to study the effect of ploidy on phytohormones accumulation and distribution.The results showed that Abscisic acid(ABA),gibberellin(GA),jasmonic acid(JA),auxin(IAA),salicylic acid(SA)and cytokinin(CTK)were successfully determined in shoots and roots using LC-MS(liquid chromatography mass spectrometry).By comparing the shoots of the haploid and diploid plants,it was found that the distribution trend of the six phytohormones was consistent,and another consistent trend was found in the roots of the diploid and tetraploid plants.In addition,we further analyzed the shoot/root ratio of the different phytohormones to identify the potential differences for haploid,diploid and tetraploid.Here,the relationship between ploidy and phytohormone we provided would provide new insights into understanding the new phenotypes that occur in polyploid species.

Root to crown ratio of permanent teeth of people living in Shanghai

The aim of this study is to assess if there is a significant difference between crown to root ratio of male and female permanent teeth in Chinese people in Shanghai.Methods: For this purpose one thousand four hundred (700,male and 700,female) extracted teeth were collected between age 25-35 and the crown length (CL) and root length (RL) of permanent teeth were measured by a precise caliper.Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS 17 software by Student's t-test method.Results: The mean crown length of permanent teeth of male was found to be larger than that of female except for maxillary central incisor and the mean root length of male was found to be comparatively larger than that of female.Conclusion: There was a significant difference in root to crown ratio (RL/CL) between male maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth and female ones.The RL/CL ratio of male tends to be larger than those of female in Shanghai population.

Effect of Shoot-Fruit Ratio on Grape Yield,Quality and Storage Nutrient

With the grape variety ＂Summer Black＂ as the test material, the effects of different shoot-fruit ratios on grape yield, fruit quality and grapevine storage nutrient were investigated for 2 consecutive years, so as to determine the optimized load for Summer Black grapes in Shandong. The results showed that the grapes with shoot-fruit ratio of 1∶ 1 had the highest soluble solid content, vitamin C content and grapevine storage nutrient. Based on the comprehensive analysis, the shoot-fruit ratio of 1∶ 1 was the optimized load for Summer Black grapes in Tai an of Shandong Province, and the yield was 1 179.37-1 288.63 kg per 667 m^2.

iRoot SP冷侧压法与热牙胶垂直加压法在C形根管充填治疗牙体牙髓病患者中的应用效果比较

目的:比较iRoot SP冷侧压法与热牙胶垂直加压法在C形根管充填治疗牙体牙髓病患者中的应用效果。方法:选取2021年1月至2021年12月该院收治的60例牙体牙髓病患者进行前瞻性研究,按照随机数字表法将其分为对照组和观察组各30例。两组均进行C形根管充填治疗,对照组采用热牙胶垂直加压法,观察组采用iRoot SP冷侧压法,比较两组充填效果(适填率、充填面积比),随访6个月时临床疗效,治疗前和治疗后1、2、3 d疼痛程度[数字评价量表(NRS)]评分,不良反应发生率,以及随访6个月时复发率。结果:两组适填率、充填面积比、治疗总有效率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后1、2、3 d,观察组NRS评分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组不良反应发生率为10.00%(3/30),低于对照组的33.33%(10/30),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组复发率为3.45%(1/29),低于对照组的28.57%(8/28),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:iRoot SP冷侧压法行C形根管充填治疗牙体牙髓病患者,可减轻疼痛程度,减少不良反应,降低复发率,但充填效果和临床疗效与热牙胶垂直加压法相当。

影响‘红满堂’绿枝插条生根因子的研究

[目的]研究扦插基质、插穗部位、生长调节剂及生长调节剂处理时间对‘红满堂’品种绿枝扦插生根效果的影响,筛选绿枝扦插的适宜组合,可为其工厂化育苗提供理论依据和技术支撑。[方法]以‘红满堂’品种当年生绿枝为材料,采用L9(34)正交试验设计,从扦插后3 d开始,每3~4 d观察插穗基部变化,并记录插穗生根状况,在扦插50 d时,调查不同处理水平下插穗的生根率以及不定根数量、不定根均长和最长根长,综合评价生根效果。[结果]影响‘红满堂’品种绿枝扦插生根的主导因子是插穗部位,同一枝条发育充实、木质化程度相对较高的中、下部位插穗的生根率(36.67%、40.67%)显著高于上部插穗(9.33%)。生长调节剂的种类、浓度和处理时间长短是影响扦插繁殖的关键因素,对扦插繁殖的生根率、不定根条数、不定根均长、最长不定根长和生根效果综合评价值均有极显著影响,不同生长调节剂和时间处理‘红满堂’绿枝扦插的生根率、不定根条数、不定根均长、最长不定根长、生根效果综合评价值分别为14.67%~38.00%和23.33%~36.00%、2.40~5.03条和3.40~4.57条、1.93~2.27 cm和1.10~2.93 cm、2.47~3.41 cm和1.66~3.39 cm、43.70%~86.40%和56.00%~81.07%。扦插基质显著影响不定根的生长发育,不同基质的不定根条数、不定根均长、生根效果综合评价值分别为3.37~5.00条、1.34~3.10 cm、58.43%~76.37%。[结论]‘红满堂’品种绿枝扦插属综合生根类型,以愈伤组织生根类型为主。绿枝插穗生根最佳处理组合为:采用当年生绿枝下部做插穗,用生长调节剂IBA(吲哚丁酸)2500 mg·L^(-1)浸蘸插穗基部20 s,扦插于椰糠∶蛭石∶珍珠岩(1∶2∶4)的基质中。根系发育最佳的处理组合为:采用当年生绿枝的中间部位做插穗,用生长调节剂IBA 2500 mg·L^(-1)浸蘸插穗基部5 s,扦插于草炭∶蛭石∶珍珠岩(1∶2∶4)的基质中。

西南桦立木生物量模型的研建

基于2019—2020年在云南省境内采集并测定的157株西南桦立木生物量(其中地上生物量106株、全树生物量51株),建立地上、地下生物量一元(二元)独立模型W=a×D^(b)、W=a×D^(b)×HC,并采用相容性生物量模型建立西南桦地上总生物量与树枝、树叶、树干各分项生物量之和相容的西南桦立木生物量模型,采用根茎比建立地下生物量模型。结果表明:对于西南桦地上生物量,一元、二元模型分别选用权函数W=1/(D^(2))、W=1/(D^(2)H),对于西南桦地下生物量,一元、二元模型分别选用权函数W=1/(D^(0.5))、W=1/(D^(0.5)H^(0.5)),进行加权回归求解模型参数,可明显减小异方差影响及提高模型稳定性;相容性生物量模型解决了立木树枝、树叶、树干等分项生物量之和与地上总生物量不相等问题;从评价指标来看,西南桦地上总生物量和树干生物量模型预估精度均在94%以上;树枝、树叶生物量模型预估精度在92%以上,地下生物量模型预估精度在87%以上。总之,各模型预估精度均达到了国家相关精度要求;研究成果可应用于西南桦生物量的估算。

不同浓度矮壮素、萘乙酸和烯效唑对大葱苗期生长的影响

为探究不同植物生长调节剂对大葱苗期徒长的控制效果,研究了矮壮素、萘乙酸和烯效唑3种植物生长调节剂对大葱苗期生长的影响。结果表明,喷施3种植物生长调节剂均能显著增加大葱幼苗的根系数量、茎粗、壮苗指数和根冠比;矮壮素和烯效唑处理显著降低株高,萘乙酸处理则增加株高;矮壮素和萘乙酸处理的叶绿素含量增加,干质量增加,而喷施不同浓度烯效唑的叶片和假茎干质量在处理后35 d时分别较对照降低7.56%~31.59%和27.95%~47.33%。综合考虑大葱幼苗的形态指标和干物质分配比例,500 mg·L^(-1)烯效唑处理对大葱幼苗控制徒长的效果最好,壮苗指数和根冠比分别较对照提高111.00%和91.30%。

播期推迟对棉花根系生长发育特征及产量的影响

【目的】研究推迟播期对棉花根系生长发育特征和产量的影响,为黄河流域棉区棉花适期播种提供依据。【方法】2022―2023年在河北农业大学威县试验站开展田间试验,设置常规播期(4月15日)和推迟播期(5月1日)2个处理,分析推迟播期对棉花品种冀农大23号的根系分布、根系生长速率、根冠比、干物质积累量和产量等的影响。【结果】与常规播期相比,推迟播期条件下,棉花根系长度和生物量的最大增长速率分别增加2.92~5.35 cm·d^(-1)和0.40~0.76 mg·d^(-1);深层土壤中棉花根系占比提高,其中30~60 cm土层根系长度占比和根系生物量占比分别增加2.99~3.55百分点和3.94~4.42百分点;生育后期棉株地上部干物质积累量和根冠比无明显差异;根系载荷能力显著降低6.43%~17.69%;2022年籽棉产量无显著差异,2023年单位面积铃数和籽棉产量分别显著增加9.72%和7.66%。相关分析表明,0~60 cm土层根长密度、0~60 cm土层根系生物量密度、根系生物量最大增长速率和30~60 cm土层根系长度占比均与籽棉产量极显著正相关。【结论】黄河流域棉区推迟播期(5月1日)可通过提高棉花根系生长速率、深层土壤中根系长度和根系生物量的占比,增强根系吸收功能以保障地上部干物质的积累,促进棉花高产。