Reduced crown root number improves water acquisition under water deficit stress in maize (Zea mays L.)

• Published in: Journal of experimental botany Vol. 67; no. 15; pp. 4545 - 4557
• Main Authors: Gao, Yingzhi, Lynch, Jonathan P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.08.2016
• Subjects: biomass; canopy; corn; Dehydration - pathology; Dehydration - physiopathology; drought tolerance; flowering; greenhouses; leaf relative water content; leaves; oxygen isotopes; Plant Roots - anatomy & histology; Plant Roots - physiology; RESEARCH PAPER; stomatal conductance; subsoil; Water - metabolism; water stress; Zea mays - anatomy & histology; Zea mays - physiology; water stress; respiration; rooting depth; Crown root number; drought; maize

In this study we test the hypothesis that maize genotypes with reduced crown root number (CN) will have greater root depth and improved water acquisition from drying soil. Maize recombinant inbred lines with contrasting CN were evaluated under water stress in greenhouse mesocosms and field rainout s...