Broad Hormonal Responses Induced by Aluminum in Roots of Dwarf Transgenics of Solanum lycopersicum L. cv “Micro-Tom”

The spatial pattern distribution of plant hormones in response to aluminum (Al) toxicity in roots remains to be shown. This study was performed to assess the root hormonal accumulation and gene expression in response to Al toxicity in five transgenic miniature dwarf tomatoes cv. Micro-Tom (MT). MT and MT transgenics to acid indole acetic, cytokinin, gibberellin, abscisic acid and ethylene were cultivated in nutrient solutions containing different Al concentrations. Root growth elongation was measured and cellular damage was visualized by staining Evans’s blue. The GUS reporter gene staining technique was used to visualize hormonal changes in MT apex root tissues. Data indicated that the MT is sensitive to Al that induced significant growth inhibition and cellular damage. Al concentration of 27 μM was significantly toxic, inducing root apex darkening and inhibition of root development. The qualitative evaluation of GUS reporter gene expression showed intense crosstalk among all hormones studied, underscoring the complexity of signaling induced by Al in apex roots. Results point out to a major understanding of the hormonal signaling in response to Al toxicity, which may induce a change of root growth and architecture with growth inhibition and cell constraints modulated by all different hormones evaluated.

Fast,simple,efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation system to non-heading Chinese cabbage with transgenic roots

Non-heading Chinese cabbage, a variety of Brassica campestris, is an important vegetable crop in the Yangtze River Basin of China. However,the immaturity of its stable transformation system and its low transformation efficiency limit gene function research on non-heading Chinese cabbage. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated(ARM) transgenic technology is a rapid and effective transformation method that has not yet been established for non-heading Chinese cabbage plants. Here, we optimized conventional ARM approaches(one-step and two-step transformation methods) suitable for living non-heading Chinese cabbage plants in nonsterile environments. Transgenic roots in composite non-heading Chinese cabbage plants were identified using phenotypic detection, fluorescence observation, and PCR analysis. The transformation efficiency of a two-step method on four five-day-old non-heading Chinese cabbage seedlings(Suzhouqing, Huangmeigui, Wuyueman, and Sijiu Caixin) was 43.33%-51.09%, whereas using the stout hypocotyl resulted in a transformation efficiency of 54.88% for the 30-day-old Sijiu Caixin.The one-step method outperformed the two-step method;the transformation efficiency of different varieties was above 60%, and both methods can be used to obtain transgenic roots for functional studies within one month. Finally, optimized ARM transformation methods can easily,quickly, and effectively produce composite non-heading Chinese cabbage plants with transgenic roots, providing a reliable foundation for gene function research and non-heading Chinese cabbage genetic improvement breeding.

The response of roots and the rhizosphere environment to integrative cultivation practices in paddy rice

Integrative cultivation practices(ICPs)are essential for enhancing cereal yield and resource use efficiency.However,the effects of ICP on the rhizosphere environment and roots of paddy rice are still poorly understood.In this study,four rice varieties were produced in the field.Each variety was treated with six different cultivation techniques,including zero nitrogen application(0 N),local farmers’practice(LFP),nitrogen reduction(NR),and three progressive ICP techniques comprised of enhanced fertilizer N practice and increased plant density(ICP1),a treatment similar to ICP1 but with alternate wetting and moderate drying instead of continuous flooding(ICP2),and the same practices as ICP2 with the application of organic fertilizer(ICP3).The ICPs had greater grain production and nitrogen use efficiency than the other three methods.Root length,dry weight,root diameter,activity of root oxidation,root bleeding rate,zeatin and zeatin riboside compositions,and total organic acids in root exudates were elevated with the introduction of the successive cultivation practices.ICPs enhanced nitrate nitrogen,the activities of urease and invertase,and the diversity of microbes(bacteria)in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil,while reducing the ammonium nitrogen content.The nutrient contents(ammonium nitrogen,total nitrogen,total potassium,total phosphorus,nitrate,and available phosphorus)and urease activity in rhizosphere soil were reduced in all treatments in comparison with the non-rhizosphere soil,but the invertase activity and bacterial diversity were greater.The main root morphology and physiology,and the ammonium nitrogen contents in rhizosphere soil at the primary stages were closely correlated with grain yield and internal nitrogen use efficiency.These findings suggest that the coordinated enhancement of the root system and the environment of the rhizosphere under integrative cultivation approaches may lead to higher rice production.

Involvement of the ABA-and H_(2)O_(2)-Mediated Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle in the Drought Stress Responses of Wheat Roots

Abscisic acid(ABA),hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) and ascorbate(AsA)–glutathione(GSH)cycle are widely known for their participation in various stresses.However,the relationship between ABA and H_(2)O_(2) levels and the AsA–GSH cycle under drought stress in wheat has not been studied.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted in wheat seedlings subjected to 15%polyethylene glycol(PEG)6000–induced dehydration.Drought stress caused the rapid accumulation of endogenous ABA and H_(2)O_(2) and significantly decreased the number of root tips compared with the control.The application of ABA significantly increased the number of root tips,whereas the application of H_(2)O_(2) markedly reduced the number of root tips,compared with that under 15%PEG-6000.In addition,drought stress markedly increased the DHA,GSH and GSSG levels,but decreased the AsA levels,AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios compared with those in the control.The activities of the four enzymes in the AsA–GSH cycle were also markedly increased under drought stress,including glutathione reductase(GR),ascorbate peroxidase(APX),monodehydroascorbate reductase(MDHAR)and dehydroascorbate reductase(DHAR),compared with those in the control.However,the application of an ABA inhibitor significantly inhibited GR,DHAR and APX activities,whereas the application of an H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly inhibited DHAR and MDHAR activities.Furthermore,the application of ABA inhibitor significantly promoted the increases of H_(2)O_(2) and the application of H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly blocked the increases of ABA,compared with those under 15% PEG-6000.Taken together,the results indicated that ABA and H_(2)O_(2) probably interact under drought stress in wheat;and both of them can mediate drought stress by modulating the enzymes in AsA–GSH cycle,where ABA acts as the main regulator of GR,DHAR,and APX activities,and H_(2)O_(2) acts as the main regulator of DHAR and MDHAR activities.

THE ROOTS AND FRUITS OF CHINESE SPRING FESTIVAL

Traditional festivals forge a nation’s cultural identity and solidarity.Through opulent customs and celebratory activities,they convey the collective psyche,emotions,and aspirations of a nation.As a key part of Chinese culture,traditional Chinese festivals reinforce the bond among Chinese people and preserve our cultural roots.Of all Chinese festivals,the Spring Festival is the most important,both culturally and historically.

The SmMYB36-SmERF6/SmERF115 module regulates the biosynthesis of tanshinones and phenolic acids in salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots

Tanshinone and phenolic acids are the most important active substances of Salvia miltiorrhiza,and the insight into their transcriptional regulatory mechanisms is an essential process to increase their content in vivo.SmMYB36 has been found to have important regulatory functions in the synthesis of tanshinone and phenolic acid;paradoxically,its mechanism of action in S.miltiorrhiza is not clear.Here,we demonstrated that SmMYB36 functions as a promoter of tanshinones accumulation and a suppressor of phenolic acids through the generation of SmMYB36 overexpressed and chimeric SmMYB36-SRDX(EAR repressive domain)repressor hairy roots in combination with transcriptomic-metabolomic analysis.SmMYB36 directly down-regulate the key enzyme gene of primary metabolism,SmGAPC,up-regulate the tanshinones biosynthesis branch genes SmDXS2,SmGGPPS1,SmCPS1 and down-regulate the phenolic acids biosynthesis branch enzyme gene,SmRAS.Meanwhile,SmERF6,a positive regulator of tanshinone synthesis activating SmCPS1,was up-regulated and SmERF115,a positive regulator of phenolic acid biosynthesis activating SmRAS,was down-regulated.Furthermore,the seven acidic amino acids at the C-terminus of SmMYB36 are required for both self-activating domain and activation of target gene expression.As a consequence,this study contributes to reveal the potential relevance of transcription factors synergistically regulating the biosynthesis of tanshinone and phenolic acid.

The SmNPR4-SmTGA5 module regulates SA-mediated phenolic acid biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots

Phenolic acids are the main bioactive compounds in Salvia miltiorrhiza,which can be increased by salicylic acid(SA)elicitation.However,the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear.The nonexpresser of PR genes 1(NPR1)and its family members are essential components of the SA signaling pathway.Here,we report an NPR protein,SmNPR4,that showed strong expression in hairy root after SA treatment,acting as a negative moderator of SA-induced phenolic acid biosynthesis in S.miltiorrhiza(S.miltiorrhiza).Moreover,a basic leucine zipper family transcription factor SmTGA5 was identified and was found to interact with SmNPR4.SmTGA5 activates the expression of phenolic acid biosynthesis gene SmTAT1 through binding to the as-1 element.Finally,a series of biochemical assays and dual gene overexpression analysis demonstrated that the SmNPR4 significantly inhibited the function of SmTGA5,and SA can alleviate the inhibitory effect of SmNPR4 on SmTGA5.Overall,our results reveal the molecular mechanism of salicylic acid regulating phenolic acid biosynthesis in S.miltiorrhiza and provide new insights for SA signaling to regulate secondary metabolic biosynthesis.

牙体牙髓病根管治疗应用iRoot SP冷侧法的效果

目的探讨牙体牙髓病根管治疗应用iRoot SP冷侧法的效果。方法筛选2018-06至2020-06在解放军总医院京南医疗区就诊的牙体牙髓病患者100例,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组50例,均进行根管治疗,其中对照组充填根管采用热牙胶垂直加压法,试验组采用iRoot SP冷侧法。比较两组根管充填效果、临床总有效率、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及咀嚼功能。结果两组治疗后根管充填效果和临床总有效率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);试验组治疗后1周[(4.13±0.79)vs.(5.11±0.98)]及1个月[(2.45±0.37)vs.(3.11±0.67)]VAS评分低于对照组,治疗后咬合力[(131.25±11.21)lbs vs.(120.34±14.09)lbs]及咀嚼效率[(90.12±4.13)%vs.(78.98±7.45)%]均优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论根管治疗牙体牙髓病中应用iRoot SP冷侧法的充填效果和疗效与热牙胶垂直加压法基本相同,但iRoot SP冷侧法在减轻患者疼痛,改善咀嚼功能方面更具优势。

Identification of the HAK gene family reveals their critical response to potassium regulation during adventitious root formation in apple rootstock

Adventitious root formation is a bottleneck during vegetative proliferation.Potassium(K^(+))is an essential macronutrient for plants.K^(+)accumulation from the soil and its distribution to the different plant organs is mediated by K^(+)transporters named K^(+)transporter(KT),K^(+)uptake(KUP),or high-affinity K^(+)(HAK).This study aimed to identify members of the HAK gene family in apples and to characterize the effects of K^(+)supply on adventitious root formation and on the expression of HAK genes and the genes that putatively control auxin transport,signaling,and cell fate during adventitious root formation.In this study,34 HAK genes(MdHAKs)were identified in the apple(Malus×domestica‘Golden Delicious’)genome.A phylogenetic analysis divided MdHAKs into four clusters(Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,andⅣ),comprising 16,1,4,and 13 genes,respectively.The syntenic relationships revealed that 62.5%of the total MdHAK genes arise from genomic duplication events.Chromosome location,domain structure,motif analysis,and physico-chemical characteristics were subsequently investigated.Furthermore,the application of K^(+)indicated the emergence of adventitious roots at 8 d and produced more adventitious roots at 16 d than the K^(+)-free control(CK)treatment.In addition,various MdHAKs showed root-specific expression in B9 apple rootstock stem cuttings and enhanced expression during the initiation and emergence stages of adventitious root formation in response to K^(+)treatment.Additionally,K^(+)treatment enhanced the expression levels of MdPIN1,MdPIN2,and MdAUX1.Further data indicated that a higher expression of MdWOX11,MdLBD16,and MdLBD29 and of cell cycle-related genes contributed to the auxin-stimulated adventitious root formation in response to K^(+).

Regulation of the growth of sprouting roots of black locust seedlings using root barrier panels

How can we regulate an invasive alien species of high commercial value?Black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia L.)has a unique capacity for seed dispersal and high germination.Field surveys indicate that black locust increases its growing area with sprouting roots and the elongation of horizontal roots at a soil depth of 10 cm.Therefore,a method to regulate the development of horizontal roots could be eff ective in slowing the invasiveness of black locust.In this study,root barrier panels were tested to inhibit the growth of horizontal roots.Since it is labor intensive to observe the growth of roots in the fi eld,it was investigated in a nursery setting.The decrease in secondary fl ush,an increase in yellowed leafl ets,and the height in the seedlings were measured.Installing root barrier panels to a depth of 30 cm eff ectively inhibit the growth of horizontal roots of young black locust.

Impact of Inulin Extracted, Purified from (Chicory and Globe Artichoke) Roots and the Combination with Maltodextrin as Prebiotic Dietary Fiber on the Functional Properties of Stirred Bio-Yogurt

Inulin is a prebiotic dietary fiber that plays an integral role in producing functional dairy products with improved health benefits. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: extract and purify inulin from chicory roots and globe artichoke roots;evaluate the physicochemical, functional properties and functional groups of the purified inulin;determine the functional properties of chicory roots inulin-maltodextrin and globe artichoke roots inulin-maltodextrin and compare it with that of the commercial inulin;examine the impact of various inulin on physiochemical, microstructural, textural, sensory characteristics and as prebiotic dietary fiber on probiotic bacteria’s viability of stirred bio-yogurt. The characteristics of the microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy to detect the functional group. The resulting inulin exhibited a high yield and purity along with enhanced functional properties. Stirred bio-yogurt fortified with chicory roots inulin or globe artichoke roots inulin showed enhanced physicochemical, microstructural, microbiological, and overall sensorial acceptability followed by chicory roots inulin-maltodextrin or globe artichoke roots inulin-maltodextrin and the commercial inulin as compared to the control. Stirred bio-yogurt samples can offer various health benefits and wide applications as supplement of prebiotic dietary fiber in dairy industry.

CG hypermethylation of the bHLH39 promoter regulates its expression and Fe deficiency responses in tomato roots

Iron(Fe)is an essential micronutrient for all organisms,including plants,whose limited bioavailability restricts plant growth,yield,and nutritional quality.While the transcriptional regulation of plant responses to Fe deficiency have been extensively studied,the contribution of epigenetic modulations,such as DNA methylation,remains poorly understood.Here,we report that treatment with a DNA methylase inhibitor repressed Fe deficiency-induced responses in tomato(Solanum lycopersicum)roots,suggesting the importance of DNA methylation in regulating Fe deficiency responses.Dynamic changes in the DNA methylome in tomato roots responding to short-term(12 hours)and long-term(72 hours)Fe deficiency identified many differentially methylated regions(DMRs)and DMR-associated genes.Most DMRs occurred at CHH sites under short-term Fe deficiency,whereas they were predominant at CG sites following long-term Fe deficiency.Furthermore,no correlation was detected between the changes in DNA methylation levels and the changes in transcript levels of the affected genes under either short-term or long-term treatments.Notably,one exception was CG hypermethylation at the bHLH39 promoter,which was positively correlated with its transcriptional induction.In agreement,we detected lower CG methylation at the bHLH39 promoter and lower bHLH39 expression in MET1-RNA interference lines compared with wild-type seedlings.Virus-induced gene silencing of bHLH39 and luciferase reporter assays revealed that bHLH39 is positively involved in the modulation of Fe homeostasis.Altogether,we propose that dynamic epigenetic DNA methylation in the CG context at the bHLH39 promoter is involved in its transcriptional regulation,thus contributing to the Fe deficiency response of tomato.

Hormones and carbohydrates synergistically regulate the formation of swollen roots in a Chinese cabbage translocation line

The genus Brassica contains a rich diversity of species and morphological types,including leaf,root,and oil crops,all of which show substantial phenotypic variation.Both Chinese cabbage and cabbage are typical leaf-type crops with normal roots.We created translocation lines based on interspecific crosses between Chinese cabbage and cabbage and identified qdh225,which exhibited a swollen-root phenotype.The swollen root of qdh225 contained a large number of granular substances,and the formation of its irregular morphological tissue was caused by a thickening of the phloem.Transcriptomic and metabolomic data suggested that differential expression of genes encoding nine types of enzymes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism caused changes in starch synthesis and degradation in the swollen root.These genes jointly regulated sucrose and starch levels,leading to significant enrichment of starch and soluble proteins in the swollen root and a reduction in the content of soluble sugars such as d-glucose and trehalose 6-phosphate.A significant increase in auxin(IAA)and abscisic acid(ABA)contents and a decrease in gibberellin(GA)content in the swollen root likely promoted the differential expression of genes associated with hormone signal transduction,thereby regulating the development of the swollen root.Taken together,our data suggest that accumulation of IAA and ABA and reduction in GA promote swollen root formation by regulating hormone-mediated signaling,leading to a thickening of phloem,root enlargement,and substantial accumulation of starch and soluble proteins.The latter provide materials,energy,and nutrient sources for the development of swollen roots.

Single-cell transcriptome atlas reveals spatiotemporal developmental trajectories in the basal roots of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

Roots are essential for plant growth and development.Bamboo is a large Poaceae perennial with 1642 species worldwide.However,little is known about the transcriptional atlas that underpins root cell-type differentiation.Here,we set up a modified protocol for protoplast preparation and report single-cell transcriptomes of 14279 filtered single cells derived from the basal root tips of moso bamboo.We identified four cell types and defined new cell-type-specific marker genes for the basal root.We reconstructed the developmental trajectories of the root cap,epidermis,and ground tissues and elucidated critical factors regulating cell fate determination.According to in situ hybridization and pseudotime trajectory analysis,the root cap and epidermis originated from a common initial cell lineage,revealing the particularity of bamboo basal root development.We further identified key regulatory factors for the differentiation of these cells and indicated divergent root developmental pathways between moso bamboo and rice.Additionally,PheWOX13a and PheWOX13b ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis inhibited primary root and lateral root growth and regulated the growth and development of the root cap,which was different from WOX13 orthologs in Arabidopsis.Taken together,our results offer an important resource for investigating the mechanism of root cell differentiation and root system architecture in perennial woody species of Bambusoideae.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Salvia miltiorrhiza with orange roots uncovers the role of Sm2OGD3 in catalyzing 15,16-dehydrogenation of tanshinones

Salvia miltiorrhiza is well known for its clinical practice in treating heart and cardiovascular diseases.Its roots,used for traditional Chinese medicine materials,are usually brick-red due to accumulation of red pigments,such as tanshinone IIA and tanshinone I.Here we report a S.miltiorrhiza line(shh)with orange roots.Compared with the red roots of normal S.miltiorrhiza plants,the contents of tanshinones with a single bond at C-15,16 were increased,whereas those with a double bond at C-15,16 were significantly decreased in shh.We assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome of shh.Phylogenomic analysis showed that the relationship between two S.miltiorrhiza lines with red roots was closer than the relationship with shh.It indicates that shh could not be the mutant of an extant S.miltiorrhiza line with red roots.Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses showed that a 1.0 kb DNA fragment was deleted in shh Sm2OGD3m.Complementation assay showed that overexpression of intact Sm2OGD3 in shh hairy roots recovered furan D-ring tanshinone accumulation.Consistently,in vitro protein assay showed that Sm2OGD3 catalyzed the conversion of cyptotanshinone,15,16-dihydrotanshinone I and 1,2,15,16-tetrahydrotanshinone I into tanshinone IIA,tanshinone I and 1,2-dihydrotanshinone I,respectively.Thus,Sm2OGD3 functions as tanshinone 15,16-dehydrogenase and is a key enzyme in tanshinone biosynthesis.The results provide novel insights into the metabolic network of medicinally important tanshinone compounds.

The worldwide allometric relationship in anatomical structures for plant roots

The cortex(i.e.,absorptive tissue)and stele(transportive vascular tissue)are fundamental to the function of plant roots.Unraveling how these anatomical structures are assembled in absorptive roots is essential for our understanding of plant ecology,physiology,and plant responses to global environmental changes.In this review,we first compile a large data set on anatomical traits in absorptive roots,including cortex thickness and stele radius,across 698 observations and 512 species.Using this data set,we reveal a common root allometry in absorptive root structures,i.e.,cortex thickness increases much faster than stele radius with increasing root diameter(hereafter,root allometry).Root allometry is further validated within and across plant growth forms(woody,grass,and liana species),mycorrhiza types(arbuscular mycorrhiza,ectomycorrhiza,and orchid mycorrhizas),phylogenetic gradients(from ferns to Orchidaceae),and environmental change scenarios(e.g.,elevation of atmospheric CO_(2)concentration and nitrogen fertilization).These findings indicate that root allometry is common in plants.Importantly,root allometry varies greatly across species.We then summarize recent research on the mechanisms of root allometry and potential issues regarding these mechanisms.We further discuss ecological and evolutionary implications of root allometry.Finally,we propose several important research directions that should be pursued regarding root allometry.

Effects of solar radiation and fine roots on suction of Amorpha fruticose-vegetated soil

The thickness of shallow landslides is generally less than 2 m,which is of the same order of magnitude as the growth range of vegetation roots.Vegetation roots can improve the stability of shallow soil through mechanical and hydraulic effects.Therefore,the landslide process is closely related to the plant roots growing on the slope surface.Plant roots play a dominant role in the regulation of soil suction through solar radiation induced transpiration.However,little is known about the correlation between cumulative solar radiation and soil suction.Moreover,the specific effects of fine roots on the suction distribution are not clear in most previous studies.In this study,a vegetated soil of a drought-tolerant and water-tolerant shrub,namely Amorpha fruticose,was adopted.The suction and volumetric water content of bare and vegetated soils were monitored under natural conditions for 4 months.The results demonstrate that there is a nearly linear relationship between cumulative solar radiation and suction ranging from zero to 100 kPa.Regarding the modeling of the soil-plant-atmosphere interactions,this relationship could serve a significant role in calculating the root water uptake under given solar radiation conditions.In addition,higher suctions were observed at the lower layer of the vegetated soil than those at the middle layer,which is different from the results of vegetated soil from previous investigations.This is due to the fact that the root area index(RAI)of fine roots at the lower layer is twice that of the middle layer.Importantly,the higher concentration of fine roots at the lower layer of vegetated soil sample resembles the root distribution of shrub near the soil-bedrock interface on shallow bedrock landslides.The fine roots would increase soil suction through transpiration,and hence reduce the permeability and increase shear strength of landslides.Eventually,these new findings serve as a preliminary step on the evaluation of the stability of this common type of landslides.

Changes in concentrations and transcripts of plant hormones in wheat seedling roots in response to Fusarium crown rot

Fusarium crown rot(FCR) is a soilborne disease causing severe yield losses in many wheat-growing areas of the world. Diseased plants show browning and necrosis of roots and stems causing white heads at maturity. Little is known about the molecular processes employed by wheat roots to respond to the disease. We characterized morphological, transcriptional and hormonal changes in wheat seedling roots following challenge with Fusarium pseudograminearum(Fp), the main pathogen of FCR. The pathogen inhibited root development to various extents depending on plants' resistance level. Many genes responsive to FCR infection in wheat roots were enriched in plant hormone pathways. The contents of compounds involved in biosynthesis and metabolism of jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, cytokinin and auxin were drastically changed in roots at five days post-inoculation. Presoaking seeds in methyl jasmonate for 24 h promoted FCR resistance, whereas presoaking with cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine made plants more susceptible. Overexpression of TaOPR3, a gene involved in jasmonic acid biosynthesis, enhanced plant resistance as well as root and shoot growth during infection.

Shear resistance characteristics and influencing factors of root-soil composite on an alpine metal mine dump slope with different recovery periods

Artificial vegetation restoration is the main measure for vegetation restoration and soil and water conservation in alpine mine dumps on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China.However,there are few reports on the dynamic changes and the influencing factors of the soil reinforcement effect of plant species after artificial vegetation restoration under different recovery periods.We selected dump areas of the Delni Copper Mine in Qinghai Province,China to study the relationship between the shear strength and the peak displacement of the root-soil composite on the slope during the recovery period,and the influence of the root traits and soil physical properties on the shear resistance characteristics of the root-soil composite via in situ direct shear tests.The results indicate that the shear strength and peak displacement of the rooted soil initially decreased and then increased with the increase of the recovery period.The shear strength of the rooted soil and the recovery period exhibited a quadratic function relationship.There is no significant function relationship between the peak displacement and the recovery period.Significant positive correlations(P<0.05)exists between the shear strength of the root-soil composite and the root biomass density,root volume density,and root area ratio,and they show significant linear correlations(P<0.05).There are no significant correlations(P>0.05)between the shear strength of the root-soil composite and the root length density,and the root volume ratio of the coarse roots to the fine roots.A significant negative linear correlation(P<0.05)exists between the peak displacement of the rooted soil and the coarse-grain content,but no significant correlations(P>0.05)with the root traits,other soil physical property indices(the moisture content and dry density of the soil),and slope gradient.The coarse-grain content is the main factor controlling the peak displacement of the rooted soil.

Increasing root-lower characteristics improves drought tolerance in cotton cultivars at the seedling stage

Drought is an important abiotic stress factor in cotton production.The root system architecture(RSA)of cotton shows high plasticity which can alleviate drought-related stress under drought stress(DS)conditions;however,this alleviation is cultivar dependent.Therefore,this study estimated the genetic variability of RSA in cotton under DS.Using the paper-based growth system,we assessed the RSA variability in 80 cotton cultivars at the seedling stage,with 0 and 10%polyethylene glycol 6000(PEG6000)as the control(CK)and DS treatment,respectively.An analysis of 23 aboveground and root traits in the 80 cotton cultivars revealed different responses to DS.On the 10th day after DS treatment,the degree of variation in the RSA traits under DS(5–55%)was greater than that of CK(5–49%).The 80 cultivars were divided into drought-tolerant cultivars(group 1),intermediate drought-tolerant cultivars(group 2),and drought-sensitive cultivars(group 3)based on their comprehensive evaluation values of drought resistance.Under DS,the root lengthlower,root area-lower,root volume-lower,and root length density-lower were significantly reduced by 63,71,76,and 4%in the drought-sensitive cultivars compared to CK.Notably,the drought-tolerant cultivars maintained their root lengthlower,root area-lower,root volume-lower,and root length density–lower attributes.Compared to CK,the root diameter(0–2 mm)-lower increased by 21%in group 1 but decreased by 3 and 64%in groups 2 and 3,respectively,under DS.Additionally,the drought-tolerant cultivars displayed a plastic response under DS that was characterized by an increase in the root-lower characteristics.Drought resistance was positively correlated with the root area-lower and root length density-lower.Overall,the RSA of the different cotton cultivars varied greatly under DS.Therefore,important root traits,such as the root-lower traits,provide great insights for exploring whether drought-tolerant cotton cultivars can effectively withstand adverse environments.