Publication: Root hair phenotypes influence nitrogen acquisition in maize
2
Issued Date
2021-11-09
Resource Type
ISSN
10958290
03057364
03057364
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85121139352
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Annals of Botany. Vol.128, No.7 (2021), 849-858
Suggested Citation
Patompong Saengwilai, Christopher Strock, Harini Rangarajan, Joseph Chimungu, Jirawat Salungyu, Jonathan P. Lynch Root hair phenotypes influence nitrogen acquisition in maize. Annals of Botany. Vol.128, No.7 (2021), 849-858. doi:10.1093/aob/mcab104 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/75538
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Root hair phenotypes influence nitrogen acquisition in maize
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background and Aims: The utility of root hairs for nitrogen (N) acquisition is poorly understood. Methods: We explored the utility of root hairs for N acquisition in the functional-structural model SimRoot and with maize genotypes with variable root hair length (RHL) in greenhouse and field environments. Key Results: Simulation results indicate that long, dense root hairs can improve N acquisition under varying N availability. In the greenhouse, ammonium availability had no effect on RHL and low nitrate availability increased RHL, while in the field low N reduced RHL. Longer RHL was associated with 216 % increase in biomass and 237 % increase in plant N content under low-N conditions in the greenhouse and a 250 % increase in biomass and 200 % increase in plant N content in the field compared with short-RHL phenotypes. In a low-N field environment, genotypes with long RHL had 267 % greater yield than those with short RHL. We speculate that long root hairs improve N capture by increased root surface area and expanded soil exploration beyond the N depletion zone surrounding the root surface. Conclusions: We conclude that root hairs play an important role in N acquisition. We suggest that root hairs merit consideration as a breeding target for improved N acquisition in maize and other crops.