new approach for the quantification of root-cap mucilage exudation in the soil

Direct evidence on the functions of root-cap mucilage during plant root growth in soil is limited mainly due to the lack of a method for in situ measurements. In this paper, we offer a method that facilitates the measurement of mucilage exudation when roots are growing in soil. We observed the mucil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 2003-08, Vol.255 (1), p.399-407
Main Authors: Iijima, M, Sako, Y, Rao, T.P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biochemistry and biology
Biological and medical sciences
cameras
ccd cameras
Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties
Corn
diurnal variation
Economic plant physiology
Epidermal cells
Exudation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Generalities
image analysis
In situ measurement
Liquids
Morphology. Anatomy. Histology. Cytology
mucilages
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils
Plant growth
Plant roots
Plants
Root cap
root exudates
Root growth
Root tips
Roots
Seedlings
Soil science
Soils
Zea mays
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Summary:Direct evidence on the functions of root-cap mucilage during plant root growth in soil is limited mainly due to the lack of a method for in situ measurements. In this paper, we offer a method that facilitates the measurement of mucilage exudation when roots are growing in soil. We observed the mucilage exudation directly through a transparent panel located on the side of a root box in which plant roots were growing. We used a CCD camera attached to a microscope to observe and record mucilage exudation. Using image analysis, the activity of mucilage exudation was evaluated based on the area occupied by the mucilage on the root tip. The area of mucilage observed on the root tips after 1-h growth in soil corresponded with the weight of mucilage that was originally observed on the tips before they were transplanted. This relationship suggests that the observed area on root tip relates to total exudation. The area of mucilage exudation on the root tips was high (0.48 mm2) at night and low (0.35 mm2) at midday, suggesting that the activity of mucilage exudation follows diurnal changes. Furthermore, the mucilage exudation positively correlated with the root elongation rate, implying that fast-growing roots exude more mucilage.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1023/a:1026183109329