From nutrients to root shape: How nutrients alter root mechanics and shape for an efficient uptake

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K23661
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0601:Agricultural chemistry and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Beier Marcel Pascal 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 特任助教 (30850367)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: plant nutrition / mechanics / boron

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Plant roots change their morphology in response to nutrient availability for an improved uptake. These morphological changes are known and the involvement of phytohormone distribution patterns is well established. This project dealt with the measurement of root mechanical properties in response to altered nutrient supply. The nitrogen dependent root growth alteration reported in rice cannot easily be observed in Arabidopsis thaliana. Since the use of the micropillar device for the measurement of the Young`s modulus is not feasible under this condition, the focus was switched from nitrogen to boron. We established the measurement of mechanical properties under different boron conditions and show a correlation between the external boron supply and the mechanical stiffness. Furthermore, a link between the metabolic balance of the root and the mechanical properties was analyzed. We were able to link sucrose supply to an altered root diameter and a changed mechanical stiffness of the root.

Free Research Field

plant nutrition

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

While nutrients change root morphology, their direct involvement in changes of root mechanical properties is not well understood. This study demonstrated that nutrients (boron) and the metabolic state (sucrose) play a role in root stiffness and form.