Statistical modeling of nitrogen-dependent modulation of root system architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana

• Published in: Journal of integrative plant biology 2016-03, Vol.58 (3), p.254-265
• Main Authors: Araya, Takao, Kubo, Takuya, von Wirén, Nicolaus, Takahashi, Hideki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonium; ammonium nitrate; ammonium nitrogen; Arabidopsis - anatomy & histology; Arabidopsis - drug effects; Arabidopsis thaliana; Availability; branching; data collection; Datasets; Elongation; Inhibition; Linear Models; mathematical modeling; Mathematical models; meta-analysis; Models, Statistical; Modulation; nitrate; nitrate nitrogen; Nitrogen; Nitrogen - pharmacology; Nutrient availability; Nutrients; phenotype; Phenotypes; Plant roots; Plant Roots - anatomy & histology; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - growth & development; Regression analysis; Root development; root growth; root system architecture; root systems; Roots; Statistical analysis; Statistical models; Structure-function relationships; time series analysis; 养分有效性; 拟南芥; 时间调制; 根系发育; 根系结构; 氮素供应; 统计模型; 营养供应
• ISSN: 1672-9072; 1744-7909
• DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12433

Plant root development is strongly affected by nutrient availability. Despite the importance of structure and function of roots in nutrient acquisition,statistical modeling approaches to evaluate dynamic and temporal modulations of root system architecture in response to nutrient availability have remained as widely open and exploratory areas in root biology. In this study,we developed a statistical modeling approach to investigate modulations of root system architecture in response to nitrogen availability. Mathematical models were designed for quantitative assessment of root growth and root branching phenotypes and their dynamic relationships based on hierarchical con figuration of primary and lateral roots formulating the fishbone-shaped root system architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana. Time-series datasets reporting dynamic changes in root developmental traits on different nitrate or ammonium concentrations were generated for statistical analyses. Regression analyses unraveled key parameters associated with：（i） inhibition of primary root growth under nitrogen limitation or on ammonium;（ii） rapid progression of lateral root emergence in response to ammonium; and（iii） inhibition of lateral root elongation in the presence of excess nitrate or ammonium. This study provides a statistical framework for interpreting dynamic modulation of root system architecture,supported by metaanalysis of datasets displaying morphological responses of roots to diverse nitrogen supplies.