Root decisions

Research output: Contribution to journalLiterature reviewpeer-review

Abstract

Root systems have recognizable developmental plans when grown in solution or agar; however, these plans often must be modified to cope with the prevailing conditions in the soil environment such as the avoidance of obstacles and the exploitation of nutrient-rich patches or water zones. The modular structure of roots enables them to respond to their environment, and roots are very adaptive at modifying growth throughout the root system to concentrate their efforts in the areas that are the most profitable. Roots also form associations with microorganisms as a strategy to enhance resource capture. However, while the responses of roots in nutrient patches are well-recognized, overall 'rules of response' and variation in strategy among plant species that can be applied in a number of different environments are still lacking. Finally, there is increasing evidence that root-root interactions are much more sophisticated than previously thought, and the evidence for roots to identify self from non-self roots will be briefly discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)628-640
Number of pages13
JournalPlant, Cell and Environment
Volume32
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • mycorrhizas
  • root-released compounds
  • root response to heterogeneity
  • root-root interactions
  • root system coordination
  • Tragedy-of-the-Commons response
  • SELF/NON-SELF DISCRIMINATION
  • BELOW-GROUND COMPETITION
  • NUTRIENT-RICH PATCHES
  • ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS
  • PLANT PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY
  • SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
  • NITROGEN CAPTURE
  • PHOSPHATE AVAILABILITY
  • MORPHOLOGICAL PLASTICITY
  • N-CAPTURE

Cite this