Oilseed Root Structure and Function
Project Investigators: William Pan, WSU; Richard Koenig, WSU; Ron Bolton, WSU; Ashley Hammac
January, 2008 Progress Report
What is known:
- Brassica tap roots anchor the plant and create root channels (Goodman et al., 2001)
- Brassica species have extensive root systems, including root hairs (Weiss, 1983)
- Brassica roots are efficient in the acquisition of N (Rossato et al., 2001) and P (Lambers et al., 2006)
- Brassica roots do not and flax roots do form functional mycorrhizal associations
- Brassica genotypes differ in P uptake efficiency
What is not known:
- Environmental factors affecting root hair induction/elongation (nutrients, water, cold, heat)
- Why brassicas have extensive root systems and the implications for resource acquisition (nutrient, water)
- Net benefit of brassica roots on soil tilth (possible increased nutrient availability, aeration, infiltration, for crops following brassicas)
- Structural morphology of flax and camelina roots
Current research:
Understanding root structure and function will improve oilseed crop production. Preliminary experiments are being conducted to observe changes in, and differences between, root growth and morphology of canola, camelina, flax, and wheat to prepare for a full scale experiment.
In the full scale experiment, we will compare roots/root hairs of different species (canola, camelina, flax, wheat, barley, lentil, chick pea) grown under controlled conditions. Treatments will consist of varying phosphorus (P) levels and placement. Roots will be digitally scanned to observe daily changes in and differences between roots of each species at each treatment level.
Information gained from this experiment will allow us to conduct further field research to examine optimum P rate and placement strategies, as well as P acquisition efficiency of oilseed crops. In addition, the field study may reveal beneficial effects of oilseed roots on soil such as increased infiltration and aeration, decreased soil erosion, bulk density, and nitrate leaching, and improved cereal P acquisition and rooting depth.
Resources:
Goodman, A.M., M.J. Crook, and A.R. Ennos. 2001. Anchorage mechanics of the tap root system of winter-sown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) Ann. Bot. 87:397-404.
Lambers, H., M. Shane, M. Cramer, S. Pearse and E. Veneklaas. 2006. Root structure and functioning for efficient acquisition of phosphorus: matching morphological and physiological traits. Ann. Bot. 98:693-713.
Marschner, P., Z Solaiman, and Z. Rengel. 2007. Brassica genotypes differ in growth, phosphorus uptake and rhizosphere properties under P-limiting conditions. Soil Biol. Biochem. 39: 87-98.
Rossato, L., P. Lainé, A. Ourry. 2001. Nitrogen storage and remobilization in Brassica napus L. during the growth cycle: nitrogen fluxes within the plant and changes in soluble protein patterns. J. Exp. Bot. 52:1655-1663.
Waisel, Y. and A. Eshel. 1996. Plant roots: the hidden half. 2nd ed. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, NY. (electronic resource link)
Weiss, E.A. 1983. Rapeseed. p. 161-215 In G. Wrigley (ed) Oilseed crops. Longman Inc. New York, NY.
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