Electrical capacitance estimates crop root traits best under dry conditions—a case study in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Gu, Hannian; Liu, Liantao; Butnor, John R.; Sun, Hang; Zhang, Xiying; Li, Cundong; Liu, Xiuwei

doi:10.1007/s11104-021-05094-6

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Furthermore, these fits were weaker for each cultivar and year than for the regressions between C R * and flag-leaf parameters (R 2 : 0.33–0.74) or GM (R 2 : 0.55–0.70), providing further evidence of the influence of the root system on the measured capacitance. This confirms previous reports that AC is able to penetrate to deeper roots, particularly when the soil is much drier than the field capacity and the roots offer a more favorable current path [ 13 , 37 ]. It should be noted that though C R * values are associated with water-saturated soil, the capacitance measurements in the present study were always taken in considerably drier soil (θ rel from 0.18 to 0.42 vs. θ rel of 0.65 at field capacity).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…A root excision experiment in potted maize partially resolved the conflicting findings, demonstrating that C R was mainly determined by the roots in the soil, but was also influenced by the size-dependent capacitance of the stem base (which was responsible for 31–39% of the total capacitance) [ 12 ]. Furthermore, roots make the greatest contribution to the capacitance when the surrounding soil is dry and, therefore, less electrically conductive than the roots [ 13 ]. A generally accepted advantage is that, as C R depends not only on root size but also on root tissue characteristics (e.g., maturation and suberization), the method provides related information on root functionality [ 6 , 8 , 10 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Root Electrical Capacitance Can Be a Promising Plant Phenotyping Parameter in Wheat

Cseresnyés

Pokovai

Bányai

et al. 2022

Plants

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As root electrical capacitance (CR*) was assumed to depend on the stem properties, the efficiency of measuring CR* at flowering for whole-plant phenotyping was assessed in five wheat cultivars in three replicate plots over two years. Linear regression analysis was used to correlate CR* with plant-size parameters and flag-leaf traits (extension and SPAD chlorophyll content) at flowering, and with yield components at maturity. The plot-mean CR* was correlated with the plot leaf area index (LAI), the chlorophyll quantity (LAI×SPAD), and the grain yield across years. At plant scale, CR* was found to show the strongest positive regression with total chlorophyll in the flag leaf (flag leaf area × SPAD; R2: 0.65–0.74) and with grain mass (R2: 0.55–0.70) for each cultivar and year (p < 0.001). Likewise, at plot scale, the regression was strongest between CR* and the LAI×SPAD value (R2: 0.86–0.99; p < 0.01) for the cultivars. Consequently, CR* indicated the total plant nutrient and photosynthate supply at flowering, which depended on root uptake capacity, and strongly influenced the final yield. Our results suggested that the polarization of the active root membrane surfaces was the main contributor to CR*, and that the measurement could be suitable for evaluating root size and functional intensity. In conclusion, the capacitance method can be applied for nondestructive whole-plant phenotyping, with potential to estimate root and shoot traits linked to the nutrient supply, and to predict grain yield. CR* can be incorporated into allometric models of cereal development, contributing to optimal crop management and genetic improvement.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root Electrical Capacitance Can Be a Promising Plant Phenotyping Parameter in Wheat

Cseresnyés

Pokovai

Bányai

et al. 2022

Plants

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“…Furthermore, C R * was unaffected by the reduction in SDM, implying that the capacitance is more or less determined by the root traits and not merely by the root-neck and stem-base properties. This corroborates previous ndings byGu et al (2021), who reported poorer correlations between stem diameter and C R under relatively dry soil conditions when the current used for…”

supporting

confidence: 92%

“…It is commonly agreed that, as root current pathways are affected by root water content, tissue density and suberization, the C R values represent not only the geometrical size but also the functional activity of the root system (Dalton 1995 (Chloupek et al 2006;Středa et al 2012). Variation in soil water content (SWC) has a marked effect on C R due to changes in soil-ground electrode contact (Ellis et al 2013) and in the root to soil conductance ratio (Gu et al 2021). A close positive relationship between C R and the SWC of the root zone was previously shown for several species (Cseresnyés et al 2018(Cseresnyés et al , 2020a.…”

Section: ; Cabal Et Al 2021)mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Recent work revealed the potential of C R to directly quantify root traits in dry soil (which is more electrically resistive than the roots) rather than under wet conditions, i.e. at eld capacity (Gu et al 2021), a result which is relevant mainly for eld studies. It is commonly agreed that, as root current pathways are affected by root water content, tissue density and suberization, the C R values represent not only the geometrical size but also the functional activity of the root system (Dalton 1995 (Chloupek et al 2006;Středa et al 2012).…”

Section: ; Cabal Et Al 2021)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Root electrical capacitance as an indicator of wheat growth and yield in a free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiment

Cseresnyés

Pokovai

Barcza

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background and aims This study was the first to test the efficiency of monitoring root electrical capacitance (CR*) non-destructively in the field to evaluate crop development under different environmental conditions.Methods A free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiment was performed with two winter wheat cultivars, two levels (low and high) of nitrogen supply and two (ambient and elevated) of [CO2] in three replicate plots over two years. The validity of CR* as a proxy for root uptake activity was confirmed by tracking the ceptometer-based leaf area index (LAI).Results Repeated CR* measurements clearly demonstrated the seasonal dynamics in root development, with a peak at flowering, and the delayed growth in the second year caused by the unfavourable meteorological conditions. From the vegetative to flowering stages, CR* was strongly correlated with LAI (R2: 0.897–0.962). The positive effect of higher N supply and elevated [CO2] on crop growth was clearly indicated by the higher CR* values, associated with increased LAI, shoot dry mass (SDM) at flowering and grain yield (GY). The maximum CR* was closely related to GY (R2: 0.805 and 0.867) when the data were pooled across the N and CO2 treatments and the years. Unlike CR* and GY, SDM and LAI were significantly lower in the second year, presumably due to the enhanced root/shoot ratio induced by a severe spring drought.Conclusions The present results convincingly demonstrated the potential of the in situ root capacitance method to assess root responses dynamically, and to predict crop GY.

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Limited effect of mycorrhizal inoculation depending on soil type and fertilization level in a central European field trial

Prettl,

Biró,

Nugroho

et al. 2024

Plant Growth Regul

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Recent trends indicate a substantial increase in the application of mycorrhizal inoculants (Myc) across Central Europe. These inoculants are projected to contribute to a reduction in fertilizer dependency and to facilitate the mobilization of soil nutrients. Nevertheless, most studies are conducted in tropical or arid regions with very few data on wether mycorrhizal inoculants affect soil biological activity and cereal growth in temperate climates. A 4-year field trial was set up to assess the effects of Myc treatments (Funneliformis, Clariodeoglomus, Rhizophagus)on two different soil types. Myc was applied in combination with conventional fertilization in the first three years (sowing corn-wheat-corn) and substantially reduced fertilizer application in the fourth year (sowing corn). Weather conditions and fertilizer application rates had the highest impact on crop yields and shoot biomass throughout the four-year period. Mycorrhizal inoculants consistently caused significantly greater root colonization than the control each year, regardless of the fertilization rate. Myc also enhanced root capacity, phosphatase enzyme activity, and yield, but these benefits were most pronounced when combined with reduced fertilization and Luvisol with nutrient deficiency. In contrast, higher levels of soil organic matter and microbial activity in Gleysol led to a greater yield and diminished the impact of Myc compared to Luvisol. In this experiment, the Myc’s capacity to increase yield was not enough to compensate for the yield decrease caused by reduced fertilization. Our results indicate how critical soil types and fertilizer application rates are in determining the effectiveness of Myc in Central European cereal production.

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Electrical capacitance estimates crop root traits best under dry conditions—a case study in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cited by 14 publications

References 52 publications

Root Electrical Capacitance Can Be a Promising Plant Phenotyping Parameter in Wheat

Root Electrical Capacitance Can Be a Promising Plant Phenotyping Parameter in Wheat

Root electrical capacitance as an indicator of wheat growth and yield in a free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiment

Limited effect of mycorrhizal inoculation depending on soil type and fertilization level in a central European field trial

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