Abstract
The spatial distribution of lateral roots in the soil is an important factor influencing water and nutrient absorption. However, lateral root development has rarely been studied in detail, especially concerning morphological variations, mainly because such examinations are both time‐consuming and laborious. We measured the number and length of all first‐order lateral roots on the seminal roots of maize ( Zea mays L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) to investigate variations in linear frequency and length. This was conducted with reference to species, root types, and positions on their parental roots. Although the linear frequency of first‐order lateral roots varied along the root axis in maize, the variation was not as great as in wheat. Variations were found in the length of lateral roots among plant species, root types, and positions on their parental root axes. Such variations in the length of lateral roots along the root axes were caused by differences in the elongation period of lateral roots rather than those in the elongation rate. Additionally, we examined the effects of soil drying on lateral root development. As a response to soil drying, the length of lateral roots varied depending on the period they were placed under the stressed condition. Moderate soil drying could also accelerate the elongation of some lateral roots. Variations in the length of first‐order lateral roots and their responses to soil drying could help distribute their tips thoroughly throughout the soil. This might be adaptive for water absorption for root system development when resources are limited.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Linear frequency of first-order laterals varied less along maize root axes than wheat axes.
- Organ / stage
- first‐order lateral rootse0
- Outcome
- linear frequency of first‐order lateral rootse0
- Direction
- not as greate0
- Comparator
- wheate0
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Although the linear frequency of first‐order lateral roots varied along the root axis in maize, the variation was not as great as in wheat.”
Claim · model-written summary
Lateral root length varied among species, root types and parental-root positions.
- Organ / stage
- lateral rootse0
- Outcome
- length of lateral rootse0
- Direction
- Variationse0
- Qualifier
- plant species, root types, and positions on their parental root axese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Variations were found in the length of lateral roots among plant species, root types, and positions on their parental root axes.”
t0“maize (Zea mays)”
Claim · model-written summary
Position-dependent length variation arose from elongation-period rather than elongation-rate differences.
- Organ / stage
- lateral rootse0
- Outcome
- variations in the length of lateral rootse0
- Qualifier
- differences in the elongation period of lateral roots rather than those in the elongation ratee0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Such variations in the length of lateral roots along the root axes were caused by differences in the elongation period of lateral roots rather than those in the elongation rate.”
t0“maize (Zea mays)”
Claim · model-written summary
Under soil drying, lateral root length varied with duration of stress.
- Organ / stage
- lateral rootse0
- Treatment
- soil dryinge0
- Outcome
- length of lateral rootse0
- Direction
- variede0
- Qualifier
- period they were placed under the stressed conditione0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“As a response to soil drying, the length of lateral roots varied depending on the period they were placed under the stressed condition.”
t0“maize (Zea mays)”
Claim · model-written summary
Moderate soil drying accelerated elongation of some lateral roots.
- Organ / stage
- lateral rootse0
- Treatment
- Moderate soil dryinge0
- Outcome
- elongation of some lateral rootse0
- Direction
- acceleratee0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Moderate soil drying could also accelerate the elongation of some lateral roots.”
t0“maize (Zea mays)”
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processing · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
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See all 73 papers →Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.