What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the relationship between specific root respiration rate, tissue concentration of reduced nitrogen, and lateral root branching in maize.

July 1, 1989Physiologia Plantarum

Respiration rate in maize roots is related to concentration of reduced nitrogen and proliferation of lateral roots

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Authors

TGTom C. GranatoNorth Carolina State University CRC. David RaperUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill GWGail G. WilkersonNorth Carolina State University

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Implication

Experimental split-root study shows root respiration correlates with reduced nitrogen and lateral branching in maize, indicating root growth drives metabolic energy demands.

Key Points

To evaluate the relationship between specific root respiration rate, tissue concentration of reduced nitrogen, and lateral root branching in maize.
Grew maize (Zea mays L.) plants with two primary nodal root axes for 8 days in a split-root hydroponic system supplied with nitrate at 1.0/1.0, 1.0/0.0, or 0.0/0.0 mol m⁻³.
Measured specific root respiration rates (respiration rate per unit dry weight) and root morphological traits at 2-day intervals.
Specific rate of respiration was positively and nonlinearly correlated with reduced nitrogen concentration, ranging from lowest levels at <9 mg g⁻¹ without exogenous nitrate to highest levels at >35 mg g⁻¹ during active nitrate uptake.
At 23 mg g⁻¹ reduced nitrogen—a critical threshold below which lateral branch initiation fell by 30% to 50%—respiration was 17% higher in roots actively absorbing nitrate compared to non-absorbing roots.
Increases in specific respiration rate at reduced nitrogen concentrations above 23 mg g⁻¹ were driven primarily by lateral root branch proliferation.

Cite This Study

Granato et al. (1989) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8a7d4481f71cbdf7de8587 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1989.tb06213.x

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Implication

Experimental split-root study shows root respiration correlates with reduced nitrogen and lateral branching in maize, indicating root growth drives metabolic energy demands.

Respiration rate in maize roots is related to concentration of reduced nitrogen and proliferation of lateral roots

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Respiration rate in maize roots is related to concentration of reduced nitrogen and proliferation of lateral roots

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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