Changes in gene expression when rice roots of rice plants encounter mechanical impedance have been investigated. A sand core system is used so that mechanical impedance can be varied independently of aeration and water status. Plants of genotypes known to be tolerant or susceptible to mechanical impedance will be grown under control and impeded conditions and changes in gene expression studied in the different tissues using cDNA-AFLP, differential display and subtractive hybridisation techniques. The work will increase understanding of impedance and so improve future physiological screens, as well as providing DNA sequences both for the screening of young plants and for the future production of transgenic crops.
Mechanically strong soil decreases root growth of many crop species. The resulting exploration of a smaller volume of soil can restrict water and nutrient uptake and lead to yield losses. Strong soil can result from compaction associated with tillage operations or from drought, as soil strength increases with decreasing water content. High soil strength leads to root axes becoming thicker as well as shorter and increased ethylene biosynthesis has been implicated in these responses. When the root system is severely mechanically impeded, shoot growth is also reduced, and complete mechanical impedance increases root turgor pressure. However, whether plant responses to mechanical impedance are caused by changes in gene expression has not been studied. The aim of this project is therefore to investigate changes in gene expression when roots encounter mechanical impedance, and in particular to isolate sequences specifically induced in genotypes that grow relatively well under impedance. This approach offers great potential for increasing our fundamental understanding of crop responses to strong soil (leading to new physiological screens) and provides DNA sequences for both the rapid, sensitive sampling of young plants and the future production of transgenic plants able to grow well in strong soil.
Mechanically strong soil decreases root growth of many crop species. The resulting exploration of a smaller volume of soil can restrict water and nutrient uptake and lead to yield losses. Strong soil can result from compaction associated with tillage operations or from drought, as soil strength increases with decreasing water content. High soil strength leads to root axes becoming thicker as well as shorter and increased ethylene biosynthesis has been implicated in these responses. When the root system is severely mechanically impeded, shoot growth is also reduced, and complete mechanical impedance increases root turgor pressure. However, whether plant responses to mechanical impedance are caused by changes in gene expression has not been studied. The aim of this project is therefore to investigate changes in gene expression when roots encounter mechanical impedance, and in particular to isolate sequences specifically induced in genotypes that grow relatively well under impedance. This approach offers great potential for increasing our fundamental understanding of crop responses to strong soil (leading to new physiological screens) and provides DNA sequences for both the rapid, sensitive sampling of young plants and the future production of transgenic plants able to grow well in strong soil.
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