Aerenchyma formed under phosphorus deficiency contributes to the reduced root hydraulic conductivity in maize roots

Mingshou Fan, Ruiqin Bai, Xuefeng Zhao, Jianhua ZHANG*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Root hydraulic conductivity has been shown to decrease under phosphorus (P) deficiency. This study investigated how the formation of aerenchyma is related to this change. Root anatomy, as well as root hydraulic conductivity was studied in maize (Zea mays L.) roots under different phosphorus nutrition conditions. Plant roots under P stress showed enhanced degradation of cortical cells and the aerenchyma formation was associated with their reduced root hydraulic conductivity, supporting our hypothesis that air spaces that form in the cortex of phosphorus-stressed roots impede the radial transport of water in a root cylinder. Further evidence came from the variation in aerenchyma formation due to genotypic differences. Five maize inbred lines with different porosity in their root cortex showed a significant negative correlation with their root hydraulic conductivity. Shoot relative water content was also found lower in P-deficient maize plants than that in P-sufficient ones when such treatment was prolonged enough, suggesting a limitation of water transport due to lowered root hydraulic conductivity of P-deficient plants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)598-604
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Integrative Plant Biology
Volume49
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 May 2007

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Plant Science

User-Defined Keywords

  • Aerenchyma
  • Maize (Zea mays)
  • Phosphorus deficiency
  • Root
  • Root hydraulic conductivity

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