Multiseriate Cortical Sclerenchyma Enhance Root Penetration in Compacted Soils
Multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma enhance root penetration in compacted soils Hannah M. Schneidera, Christopher F. Strocka, Meredith T. Hanlona, Dorien J. Vanheesb,c, Alden C. Perkinsa, Ishan B. Ajmeraa, Jagdeep Singh Sidhua, Sacha J. Mooneyb,d, Kathleen M. Browna, and Jonathan P. Lyncha,b,d,1 aDepartment of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802; bDivision of Agricultural and Environment Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom; cThe James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie DD2 5DA, United Kingdom; and dCentre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom Edited by Philip N. Benfey, Duke University, Durham, NC, and approved January 3, 2021 (received for review June 11, 2020) Mechanical impedance limits soil exploration and resource capture Root anatomical phenes have a large effect on penetration by plant roots. We examine the role of root anatomy in regulating ability (11). Thicker roots are more resistant to buckling and plant adaptation to mechanical impedance and identify a root deflection when encountering hard soils (12, 13). However, in anatomical phene in maize (Zea mays) and wheat (Triticum aesti- maize, cortical cell wall thickness, cortical cell count, cortical cell vum ) associated with penetration of hard soil: Multiseriate cortical wall area, and stele diameter predict root penetration and bend sclerenchyma (MCS). We characterize this trait and evaluate the strength better than root diameter (14). Smaller cells in the outer utility of MCS for root penetration in compacted soils. Roots with cortical region in maize are associated with increased root pen- MCS had a greater cell wall-to-lumen ratio and a distinct UV emis- sion spectrum in outer cortical cells.
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