Micro-scale water potential gradients visualized in soil around plant root tips using microbiosensors

• Published in: Plant, cell and environment Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 199 - 210
• Main Authors: HERRON, PATRICK M, GAGE, DANIEL J, CARDON, ZOE G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; bioreporter; Biosensing Techniques; Escherichia coli; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes, Reporter; Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism; Meristem - metabolism; Pantoea - metabolism; Pantoea agglomerans; Plant Roots - metabolism; Plant Transpiration; Pseudomonas putida; Pseudomonas putida - metabolism; rhizosphere; Soil - analysis; Water - metabolism; Zea mays; Zea mays - metabolism; Monocotyledones; Gradient; Zea mays; Root; Use; Plant ecology; bioreporter; Water potential; Cereal crop; Rhizosphere; Soils; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Apex

Water availability and movement in soil are critical determinants of resource availability to, and interactions among, members of the soil community. However, it has been impossible to observe gradients in soil water potential empirically at millimetre spatial scales. Here we describe progress towar...