Root responses of triticale and soybean to soil compaction in the field are reproducible under controlled conditions
Tino Colombi A B and Achim Walter A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), Universitätstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
B Corresponding author. Email: tino.colombi@usys.ethz.ch
Functional Plant Biology 43(2) 114-128 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP15194
Submitted: 13 July 2015 Accepted: 10 September 2015 Published: 20 October 2015
Abstract
Soil compaction includes a set of underlying stresses that limit root growth such as increased impedance and limited oxygen availability. The aims of the present study were to (i) find acclimations of triticale (× Triticosecale) and soybean (Glycine max L.) roots to compacted soils in the field; (ii) reproduce these under controlled conditions; and (iii) associate these responses with soil physical properties. To this end, plants were grown at two different soil bulk densities in the field and under controlled conditions representing mature root systems and the seedling stage respectively. Diameters, lateral branching densities, the cortical proportion within the total root cross-section and the occurrence of cortical aerenchyma of main roots were quantified. Soil compaction caused decreasing root branching and increasing cortical proportions in both crops and environments. In triticale, root diameters and the occurrence of aerenchyma increased in response to compaction in the field and under controlled conditions. In soybean, these acclimations occurred at an initial developmental stage but due to radial root growth not in mature roots. These results showed that responses of root systems to compacted soils in the field are, to a large extent, reproducible under controlled conditions, enabling increased throughput, phenotyping-based breeding programs in the future. Furthermore, the occurrence of aerenchyma clearly indicated the important role of limited oxygen availability in compacted soils on root growth.
Additional keywords: phenotype, root anatomy, root architecture, shovelomics, soil compaction, X-ray computed tomography.
References
Alameda D, Villar R (2012) Linking root traits to plant physiology and growth in Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. seedlings under soil compaction conditions. Environmental and Experimental Botany 79, 49–57.| Linking root traits to plant physiology and growth in Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. seedlings under soil compaction conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arvidsson J, Håkansson I (2014) Response of different crops to soil compaction – short-term effects in Swedish field experiments. Soil & Tillage Research 138, 56–63.
| Response of different crops to soil compaction – short-term effects in Swedish field experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arvidsson J, Etana A, Rydberg T (2014) Crop yield in Swedish experiments with shallow tillage and no-tillage 1983–2012. European Journal of Agronomy 52, 307–315.
| Crop yield in Swedish experiments with shallow tillage and no-tillage 1983–2012.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barraclough PB, Weir AH (1988) Effects of a compacted subsoil layer on root and shoot growth, water use and nutrient uptake of winter wheat. Journal of Agricultural Science 110, 207–216.
| Effects of a compacted subsoil layer on root and shoot growth, water use and nutrient uptake of winter wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Batey T (2009) Soil compaction and soil management – a review. Soil Use and Management 25, 335–345.
| Soil compaction and soil management – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bengough AG, McKenzie BM, Hallett PD, Valentine TA (2011) Root elongation, water stress, and mechanical impedance: a review of limiting stresses and beneficial root tip traits. Journal of Experimental Botany 62, 59–68.
| Root elongation, water stress, and mechanical impedance: a review of limiting stresses and beneficial root tip traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsFamurbI&md5=b4e388835cd05d0ffcad33df237e1411CAS | 21118824PubMed |
Bingham IJ, Bengough AG (2003) Morphological plasticity of wheat and barley roots in response to spatial variation in soil strength. Plant and Soil 250, 273–282.
| Morphological plasticity of wheat and barley roots in response to spatial variation in soil strength.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXit1Cisbw%3D&md5=5db11c3892c8d870e11ca821fffa6f6fCAS |
Botta GF, Tolon-Becerra A, Lastra-Bravo X, Tourn M (2010) Tillage and traffic effects (planters and tractors) on soil compaction and soybean (Glycine max L.) yields in Argentinean pampas. Soil & Tillage Research 110, 167–174.
| Tillage and traffic effects (planters and tractors) on soil compaction and soybean (Glycine max L.) yields in Argentinean pampas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bucksch A, Burridge J, York LM, Das A, Nord E, Weitz JS, Lynch JP (2014) Image-based high-throughput field phenotyping of crop roots. Plant Physiology 166, 470–486.
| Image-based high-throughput field phenotyping of crop roots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhvFKrurvP&md5=107d06b8f18eb1235cb726ebabe3bd24CAS | 25187526PubMed |
Buttery BR, Tan CS, Drury CF, Park SJ, Armstrong RJ, Park KY (1998) The effects of soil compaction, soil moisture and soil type on growth and nodulation of soybean and common bean. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 78, 571–576.
| The effects of soil compaction, soil moisture and soil type on growth and nodulation of soybean and common bean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen YL, Palta J, Clements J, Buirchell B, Siddique KHM, Rengel Z (2014a) Root architecture alteration of narrow-leafed lupin and wheat in response to soil compaction. Field Crops Research 165, 61–70.
| Root architecture alteration of narrow-leafed lupin and wheat in response to soil compaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen G, Weil RR, Hill RL (2014b) Effects of compaction and cover crops on soil least limiting water range and air permeability. Soil & Tillage Research 136, 61–69.
| Effects of compaction and cover crops on soil least limiting water range and air permeability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chimungu JG, Maliro MFA, Nalivata PC, Kanyama-Phiri G, Brown KM, Lynch JP (2015) Utility of root cortical aerenchyma under water limited conditions in tropical maize (Zea mays L.). Field Crops Research 171, 86–98.
| Utility of root cortical aerenchyma under water limited conditions in tropical maize (Zea mays L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coelho Filho MA, Colebrook EH, Lloyd DPA, Webster CP, Mooney SJ, Phillips AL, Hedden P, Whalley WR (2013) The involvement of gibberellin signalling in the effect of soil resistance to root penetration on leaf elongation and tiller number in wheat. Plant and Soil 371, 81–94.
| The involvement of gibberellin signalling in the effect of soil resistance to root penetration on leaf elongation and tiller number in wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsFaqs7%2FP&md5=59b7fd641b3b9d960c80e84ac5a7e593CAS |
Colombi T, Kirchgessner N, Le Marié CA, York LM, Lynch JP, Hund A (2015) Next generation shovelomics: set up a tent and REST. Plant and Soil 388, 1–20.
| Next generation shovelomics: set up a tent and REST.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXitlOku7g%3D&md5=66224c044828b3b48d9973301cc2534bCAS |
Czyż EA (2004) Effects of traffic on soil aeration, bulk density and growth of spring barley. Soil & Tillage Research 79, 153–166.
| Effects of traffic on soil aeration, bulk density and growth of spring barley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dexter AR (1991) Amelioration of soil by natural processes. Soil & Tillage Research 20, 87–100.
| Amelioration of soil by natural processes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dresbøll DB, Thorup-Kristensen K, McKenzie BM, Dupuy LX, Bengough G (2013) Timelapse scanning reveals spatial variation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) root elongation rates during partial waterlogging. Plant and Soil 369, 467–477.
| Timelapse scanning reveals spatial variation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) root elongation rates during partial waterlogging.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Flavel R, Guppy C, Tighe M (2012) Non-destructive quantification of cereal roots in soil using high-resolution x-ray tomography. Journal of Experimental Botany 63, 2503–2511.
| Non-destructive quantification of cereal roots in soil using high-resolution x-ray tomography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XmvF2rsbg%3D&md5=5c3ac0d59827df2e3c7ecfca5ddc856eCAS | 22271595PubMed |
Grzesiak S, Grzesiak MT, Hura T, Marcińska I, Rzepka A (2013) Changes in root system structure, leaf water potential and gas exchange of maize and triticale seedlings affected by soil compaction. Environmental and Experimental Botany 88, 2–10.
| Changes in root system structure, leaf water potential and gas exchange of maize and triticale seedlings affected by soil compaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grzesiak MT, Ostrowska A, Hura K, Rut G, Janowiak F, Rzepka A, Hura T, Grzesiak S (2014) Interspecific differences in root architecture among maize and triticale genotypes grown under drought, waterlogging and soil compaction. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 36, 3249–3261.
| Interspecific differences in root architecture among maize and triticale genotypes grown under drought, waterlogging and soil compaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hamza MA, Anderson WK (2005) Soil compaction in cropping systems. Soil & Tillage Research 82, 121–145.
| Soil compaction in cropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hargreaves C, Gregory P, Bengough A (2009) Measuring root traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare and ssp. spontaneum) seedlings using gel chambers, soil sacs and x-ray microtomography. Plant and Soil 316, 285–297.
| Measuring root traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare and ssp. spontaneum) seedlings using gel chambers, soil sacs and x-ray microtomography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFOksbk%3D&md5=1fe8e450bba7bdf741ad790986174efeCAS |
Hernandez-Ramirez G, Lawrence-Smith EJ, Sinton SM, Tabley F, Schwen A, Beare MH, Brown HE (2014) Root responses to alterations in macroporosity and penetrability in a silt loam soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 78, 1392–1403.
| Root responses to alterations in macroporosity and penetrability in a silt loam soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhs1equrnN&md5=2920c68fa6e1caab59cb70f5719e7570CAS |
Iijima M, Kato J (2007) Combined soil physical stress of soil drying, anaerobiosis and mechanical impedance to seedling root growth of four crop species. Plant Production Science 10, 451–459.
| Combined soil physical stress of soil drying, anaerobiosis and mechanical impedance to seedling root growth of four crop species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jin K, Shen J, Ashton RW, Dodd IC, Parry MAJ, Whalley WR (2013) How do roots elongate in a structured soil? Journal of Experimental Botany 64, 4761–4777.
| How do roots elongate in a structured soil?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhslCrsbjL&md5=d3c1cd7055bc9cfb53cfdc60d5b6b2a2CAS | 24043852PubMed |
Kuncoro PH, Koga K, Satta N, Muto Y (2014a) A study on the effect of compaction on transport properties of soil gas and water. II: Soil pore structure indices. Soil & Tillage Research 143, 180–187.
| A study on the effect of compaction on transport properties of soil gas and water. II: Soil pore structure indices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kuncoro PH, Koga K, Satta N, Muto Y (2014b) A study on the effect of compaction on transport properties of soil gas and water I: Relative gas diffusivity, air permeability, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Soil & Tillage Research 143, 172–179.
| A study on the effect of compaction on transport properties of soil gas and water I: Relative gas diffusivity, air permeability, and saturated hydraulic conductivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lesturgez G, Poss R, Hartmann C, Bourdon E, Noble A, Development L (2004) Roots of Stylosanthes hamata create macropores in the compact layer of a sandy soil. Plant and Soil 260, 101–109.
| Roots of Stylosanthes hamata create macropores in the compact layer of a sandy soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXksFGlsbo%3D&md5=15a69b3516188995876ebd9869d2caafCAS |
Lipiec J, Hatano R (2003) Quantification of compaction effects on soil physical properties and crop growth. Geoderma 116, 107–136.
| Quantification of compaction effects on soil physical properties and crop growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lipiec J, Horn R, Pietrusiewicz J, Siczek A (2012) Effects of soil compaction on root elongation and anatomy of different cereal plant species. Soil and Tillage Research 121, 74–81.
| Effects of soil compaction on root elongation and anatomy of different cereal plant species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lynch JP (1995) Root architecture and plant productivity. Plant Physiology 109, 7–13.
Mairhofer S, Zappala S, Tracy S (2012) RooTrak: automated recovery of three-dimensional plant root architecture in soil from x-ray microcomputed tomography images using visual tracking. Plant Physiology 158, 561–569.
| RooTrak: automated recovery of three-dimensional plant root architecture in soil from x-ray microcomputed tomography images using visual tracking.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XltVOkt78%3D&md5=49646dbc7a00e40584d393c8d36c28edCAS | 22190339PubMed |
Marashi SK, Mojaddam M (2014) Adventitious root and aerenchyma development in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) subjected to waterlogging. International Journal of Biosciences 6655, 168–173.
Materechera SA, Alston AM, Kirby JM, Dexter AR (1992) Influence of root diameter on the penetration of seminal roots into a compacted subsoil. Plant and Soil 144, 297–303.
| Influence of root diameter on the penetration of seminal roots into a compacted subsoil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nosalewicz A, Lipiec J (2014) The effect of compacted soil layers on vertical root distribution and water uptake by wheat. Plant and Soil 375, 229–240.
| The effect of compacted soil layers on vertical root distribution and water uptake by wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhslCltr7L&md5=90057f6f64e713e14a1b28818c3b7f2cCAS |
Ozcoban MS, Cetinkaya N, Celik SO, Demirkol GT, Cansiz V, Tufekci N (2013) Hydraulic conductivity and removal rate of compacted clays permeated with landfill leachate. Desalination and Water Treatment 51, 6148–6157.
| Hydraulic conductivity and removal rate of compacted clays permeated with landfill leachate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXjslKrs7o%3D&md5=85e15c352179c949c78b09db2e190507CAS |
Pfeifer J, Faget M, Walter A, Blossfeld S, Fiorani F, Schurr U, Nagel KA (2014) Spring barley shows dynamic compensatory root and shoot growth responses when exposed to localised soil compaction and fertilisation. Functional Plant Biology 41, 581–597.
| Spring barley shows dynamic compensatory root and shoot growth responses when exposed to localised soil compaction and fertilisation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXnsFeltrk%3D&md5=60688b1bed6c2875cd8a305a05277ba0CAS |
Ramos JC, Del S, Imhoff C, Pilatti MÁ, Carlos A (2010) Morphological characteristics of soybean root apexes as indicators of soil compaction. Scientia Agricola 67, 707–712.
| Morphological characteristics of soybean root apexes as indicators of soil compaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saengwilai P, Nord EA, Chimungu JG, Brown KM, Lynch JP (2014) Root cortical aerenchyma enhances nitrogen acquisition from low-nitrogen soils in maize. Plant Physiology 166, 726–735.
| Root cortical aerenchyma enhances nitrogen acquisition from low-nitrogen soils in maize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhvFKrtbfI&md5=aa94dd73b8a5ec4063a008338aaf1426CAS | 24891611PubMed |
Shimamura S, Mochizuki T, Nada Y, Fukuyama M (2003) Formation and function of secondary aerenchyma in hypocotyl, roots and nodules of soybean (Glycine max) under flooded conditions. Plant and Soil 251, 351–359.
| Formation and function of secondary aerenchyma in hypocotyl, roots and nodules of soybean (Glycine max) under flooded conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXis1Cit78%3D&md5=fe5e85bef947bbc3942a10344c5e581cCAS |
Siczek A, Lipiec J (2011) Soybean nodulation and nitrogen fixation in response to soil compaction and surface straw mulching. Soil & Tillage Research 114, 50–56.
| Soybean nodulation and nitrogen fixation in response to soil compaction and surface straw mulching.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Siczek A, Lipiec J, Wielbo J, Szarlip P, Kidaj D (2013) Pea growth and symbiotic activity response to Nod factors (lipo-chitooligosaccharides) and soil compaction. Applied Soil Ecology 72, 181–186.
| Pea growth and symbiotic activity response to Nod factors (lipo-chitooligosaccharides) and soil compaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Simojoki A, Fazekas-becker O, Horn R (2008) Macro- and microscale gaseous diffusion in a Stagnic Luvisol as affected by compaction and reduced tillage. Agricultural and Food Science 17, 252–264.
| Macro- and microscale gaseous diffusion in a Stagnic Luvisol as affected by compaction and reduced tillage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVWju7%2FM&md5=822af5634e823729d84e44ff3cbae670CAS |
Striker GG, Insausti P, Grimoldi AA, Vega AS (2007) Trade-off between root porosity and mechanical strength in species with different types of aerenchyma. Plant, Cell & Environment 30, 580–589.
| Trade-off between root porosity and mechanical strength in species with different types of aerenchyma.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2s3gsVOqsg%3D%3D&md5=2cd2b725b61f948b18c61b72affdb3a7CAS |
Takahashi H, Yamauchi T, Colmer TD (2014) Low-oxygen stress in plants. In ‘Low-oxygen stress plants. Plant cell monographs’. (Eds JT van Dongen, F Licausi) pp. 247–265. (Springer: Vienna)
Thomas AL, Guerreiro SMC, Sodek L (2005) Aerenchyma formation and recovery from hypoxia of the flooded root system of nodulated soybean. Annals of Botany 96, 1191–1198.
| Aerenchyma formation and recovery from hypoxia of the flooded root system of nodulated soybean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MnhsVCgsg%3D%3D&md5=e5a495ddd6ab1f88823970a242516920CAS | 16199486PubMed |
Thomson CJ, Colmer TD, Watkin ELJ, Greenway H (1992) Tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum cvs. Gamenya and Kite) and triticale (Triticosecale cv. Muir) to waterlogging. New Phytologist 120, 335–344.
| Tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum cvs. Gamenya and Kite) and triticale (Triticosecale cv. Muir) to waterlogging.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Trachsel S, Kaeppler SM, Brown KM, Lynch JP (2011) Shovelomics: high throughput phenotyping of maize (Zea mays L.) root architecture in the field. Plant and Soil 341, 75–87.
| Shovelomics: high throughput phenotyping of maize (Zea mays L.) root architecture in the field.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXjt1Wjsrc%3D&md5=ad14f890a85f3906836f28ec2145ca0fCAS |
Tracy SR, Black CR, Roberts JA, Mooney SJ (2011) Soil compaction: a review of past and present techniques for investigating effects on root growth. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 91, 1528–1537.
| Soil compaction: a review of past and present techniques for investigating effects on root growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXnt1Kktrs%3D&md5=6023b615c81078b490177eee489e1cddCAS | 21538366PubMed |
Tracy SR, Black CR, Roberts JA, Sturrock C, Mairhofer S, Craigon J, Mooney SJ (2012) Quantifying the impact of soil compaction on root system architecture in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by x-ray micro-computed tomography. Annals of Botany 110, 511–519.
| Quantifying the impact of soil compaction on root system architecture in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by x-ray micro-computed tomography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22362666PubMed |
Valentine TA, Hallett PD, Binnie K, Young MW, Squire GR, Hawes C, Bengough AG (2012) Soil strength and macropore volume limit root elongation rates in many UK agricultural soils. Annals of Botany 110, 259–270.
| Soil strength and macropore volume limit root elongation rates in many UK agricultural soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtVOjurnJ&md5=ace20b59fd72b429b961ff7c4e759da8CAS | 22684682PubMed |
Van den Akker JJH, Canarache A (2001) Two European concerted actions on subsoil compaction. Land Use and Development 42, 15–22.
Walter A, Silk WK, Schurr U (2009) Environmental effects on spatial and temporal patterns of leaf and root growth. Annual Review of Plant Biology 60, 279–304.
| Environmental effects on spatial and temporal patterns of leaf and root growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXntFGls7c%3D&md5=e894e0b62eb16d0d0b0ce9a3528dc32eCAS | 19575584PubMed |
Watkin EL, Thomson CJ, Greenway H (1998) Root development and aerenchyma formation in two wheat cultivars and one triticale cultivar grown in stagnant agar and aerated nutrient solution. Annals of Botany 81, 349–354.
| Root development and aerenchyma formation in two wheat cultivars and one triticale cultivar grown in stagnant agar and aerated nutrient solution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xu QT, Yang L, Zhou ZQ, Mei FZ, Qu LH, Zhou GS (2013) Process of aerenchyma formation and reactive oxygen species induced by waterlogging in wheat seminal roots. Planta 238, 969–982.
| Process of aerenchyma formation and reactive oxygen species induced by waterlogging in wheat seminal roots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtleku7%2FO&md5=0869870cf1b6d649c786f2132c1f9504CAS | 23975011PubMed |
Yamauchi T, Shimamura S, Nakazono M, Mochizuki T (2013) Aerenchyma formation in crop species: a review. Field Crops Research 152, 8–16.
| Aerenchyma formation in crop species: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yamauchi T, Abe F, Kawaguchi K, Oyanagi A, Nakazono M (2014) Adventitious roots of wheat seedlings that emerge in oxygen-deficient conditions have increased root diameters with highly developed lysigenous aerenchyma. Plant Signaling & Behavior 9, e28506
| Adventitious roots of wheat seedlings that emerge in oxygen-deficient conditions have increased root diameters with highly developed lysigenous aerenchyma.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
