Challenges of modifying root traits in crops for agriculture

Meister, Robert J.; Rajani, M.S.; Ruzicka, Daniel J.; Schachtman, Daniel P.

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2014.08.005

Cited by 217 publications

(162 citation statements)

References 114 publications

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“…The indications are that any enhancement in RH function may offer a potential route to improving the productivity and stress tolerance of crops that are grown in poor soils (Meister et al, 2014). Last, but not least, the root epidermis of grass species represents a useful model for cell differentiation (Marzec and Kurczynska, 2014).…”

Section: +mentioning

confidence: 99%

Root Hair Development in the Grasses: What We Already Know and What We Still Need to Know

2015

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ORCID IDs: 0000-0002-5261-6662 (M.Ma.); 0000-0001-7390-7234 (I.S.).A priority in many crop improvement programs for a long time has been to enhance the tolerance level of plants to both abiotic and biotic stress. Recognition that the root system is the prime determinant of a plant's ability to extract both water and minerals from the soil implies that its architecture is an important variable underlying a cultivar's adaptation. The density and/or length of the root hairs (RHs) that are formed are thought to have a major bearing on the plant's performance under stressful conditions. Any attempt to improve a crop's root system will require a detailed understanding of the processes of RH differentiation. Recent progress in uncovering the molecular basis of root epidermis specialization has been recorded in the grasses. This review seeks to present the current view of RH differentiation in grass species. It combines what has been learned from molecular-based analyses, histological studies, and observation of the phenotypes of both laboratory-and field-grown plants.

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Section: +mentioning

confidence: 99%

Root Hair Development in the Grasses: What We Already Know and What We Still Need to Know

2015

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“…As shown by the impact of the N status-dependent regulatory module CLAVATA3/ EMBRYO-SURROUNDING REGION-related peptides-CLAVATA1 leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase, economizing the costs for root development is pivotal for a resource-efficient strategy in nutrient acquisition (Araya et al, 2014). In recent years, strategies on yield and efficiency improvement have been developed that are primarily based on the manipulation of root system architecture (Gregory et al, 2013;Lynch, 2014;Meister et al, 2014). A common imperative of these strategies is to develop crops that use water and nutrients more efficiently, allowing the reduction of fertilizer input and potentially hazardous environmental contamination.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression Analyses by RNA Sequencing Reveal Local High Nitrate-Triggered Lateral Root Initiation in Shoot-Borne Roots of Maize by Modulating Auxin-Related Cell Cycle Regulation

Eggert

Wirén

et al. 2015

Plant Physiol.

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Plants have evolved a unique plasticity of their root system architecture to flexibly exploit heterogeneously distributed mineral elements from soil. Local high concentrations of nitrate trigger lateral root initiation in adult shoot-borne roots of maize (Zea mays) by increasing the frequency of early divisions of phloem pole pericycle cells. Gene expression profiling revealed that, within 12 h of local high nitrate induction, cell cycle activators (cyclin-dependent kinases and cyclin B) were up-regulated, whereas repressors (Kip-related proteins) were down-regulated in the pericycle of shoot-borne roots. In parallel, a ubiquitin protein ligase S-Phase Kinase-Associated Protein1-cullin-F-box protein S-Phase Kinase-Associated Protein 2B -related proteasome pathway participated in cell cycle control. The division of pericycle cells was preceded by increased levels of free indole-3-acetic acid in the stele, resulting in DR5-red fluorescent protein-marked auxin response maxima at the phloem poles. Moreover, laser-capture microdissectionbased gene expression analyses indicated that, at the same time, a significant local high nitrate induction of the monocot-specific PIN-FORMED9 gene in phloem pole cells modulated auxin efflux to pericycle cells. Time-dependent gene expression analysis further indicated that local high nitrate availability resulted in PIN-FORMED9-mediated auxin efflux and subsequent cell cycle activation, which culminated in the initiation of lateral root primordia. This study provides unique insights into how adult maize roots translate information on heterogeneous nutrient availability into targeted root developmental responses.

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“…A number of specific root architectural traits have been suggested for application in breeding programs to improve yield in drought-prone environments (Wasson et al, 2012;Comas et al, 2013;Brown et al, 2013;Lynch et al, 2014;Lynch and Wojciechowski, 2015). Successful incorporation of these traits depends on the heritability of the trait, ability to accurately and efficiency phenotype the trait, soil properties and target environments (Meister et al, 2014).…”

Section: Root System Architecturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, better knowledge of root functional traits and how traits are related to the whole plant strategies would provide the opportunity for breeding programs to design optimized root ideotypes for crop improvement in a range of environments (de Dorlodot et al, 2007;Hammer et al, 2009;Lynch, 2013;White et al, 2013;Brown et al, 2013;Meister et al, 2014).…”

Section: Root Function and Impact On Crop Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

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Breeding wheat for drought adaptation: Development of selection tools for root architectural traits

Richard¹

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A crop's ability to explore the soil profile and extract available water at different depths is largely determined by root system architecture. For instance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), it has been suggested that a narrow and deep root system can provide better access to deep soil moisture. Such root systems are particularly beneficial for rain-fed regions where crops rely heavily on stored soil moisture at depth, as encountered in the eastern Australian wheat belt. Thus, by targeting desirable root architectural traits, wheat breeders could increase genetic gain for yield in response to the growing demand for food. Yet, selection for these below-ground traits is challenging because roots are difficult to measure and are under complex genetic control. The aim of this project was to develop new phenotypic and molecular selection tools to facilitate selection for root architectural traits in Australian wheat breeding programs targeting terminal moisture stress adaptation. This project focuses on narrow seminal root angle and high number of seminal roots in wheat seedlings; two proxy traits for desirable mature root system architecture. Firstly, to overcome the lack of efficient root screening methods, a high-throughput and cost-effective method for phenotyping seminal root angle and number in wheat was developed, using clear pots in a controlled environment growth facility. Compared to pre-existing phenotyping methods, the newly developed method successfully provided higher heritability, greater repeatability, and better efficiency in terms of time, space, and labour. Further, the clear-pot method revealed a high degree of phenotypic variation for both seminal root traits. Subsequently, to test the ability to introgressed allelic variation for seminal root angle into elite Australian wheat cultivars via phenotypic selection, backcross tail populations for both narrow and wide root angle were developed, using the clear-pot method. Rapid shifts in both population distribution and allele frequency were observed after just two rounds of selection. Further, comparison of the tail populations revealed some genomic regions under selection, for which marker-assisted selection appeared successful. Hence, genetic diversity can be exploited via phenotypic and molecular selection to target desired root system architecture in wheat breeding programs.

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Challenges of modifying root traits in crops for agriculture

Cited by 217 publications

References 114 publications

Root Hair Development in the Grasses: What We Already Know and What We Still Need to Know

Root Hair Development in the Grasses: What We Already Know and What We Still Need to Know

Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression Analyses by RNA Sequencing Reveal Local High Nitrate-Triggered Lateral Root Initiation in Shoot-Borne Roots of Maize by Modulating Auxin-Related Cell Cycle Regulation

Breeding wheat for drought adaptation: Development of selection tools for root architectural traits

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