Authors
Zhihui Wen, Hongbo Li, Qi Shen, Xiaomei Tang, Chuanyong Xiong, Haigang Li, Jiayin Pang, Megan H Ryan, Hans Lambers, Jianbo Shen
Publication date
2019
Journal
New Phytologist
Description
- Plant roots exhibit diverse root functional traits to enable soil phosphorus (P) acquisition, including changes in root morphology, root exudation and mycorrhizal symbioses. Yet, whether these traits are differently coordinated among crop species to enhance P acquisition is unclear.
- Here, eight root functional traits for P acquisition were characterized in 16 major herbaceous crop species grown in a glasshouse under limiting and adequate soil P availability.
- We found substantial interspecific variation in root functional traits among species. Those with thinner roots showed more root branching and less first‐order root length, and had consistently lower colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), fewer rhizosheath carboxylates and reduced acid phosphatase activity. In response to limiting soil P, species with thinner roots showed a stronger response in root branching, first‐order root length and specific root …
Scholar articles
Z Wen, H Li, Q Shen, X Tang, C Xiong, H Li, J Pang… - New Phytologist, 2019