Change in hydraulic properties of the rhizosphere of maize under different abiotic stresses

Wang, Di, Gao, Yang, Li, Ming ORCID: 0000-0002-4825-6385, Sturrock, Craig J, Gregory, Andrew S and Zhang, Xiaoxian (2020) Change in hydraulic properties of the rhizosphere of maize under different abiotic stresses. PLANT AND SOIL, 452 (1-2). pp. 615-626.

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Abstract

Background and aims: Root growth alters the rhizosphere thereby affecting root uptake of water and nutrients. However, the influence of abiotic stress on this process is poorly understood. In this study we investigated the effects of water and salinity stresses (both in isolation and combined) on maize (Zea mays L.). Methods: Seedlings were grown in pots packed with a loamy sand soil for two weeks and then subjected to water and salinity stresses, together with an unstressed control. After an additional two weeks, plants were removed from the pots and the soil aggregates adhering to the roots were collected and scanned using X-ray Computed Tomography. The ability of the aggregates to conduct water was calculated from pore-scale simulation of water flow using the lattice Boltzmann method. Results: It was found that both water and salinity stresses reduced the permeability of the rhizospheric aggregates, although the reduction under salinity stress was more significant than under water stress. Combining water and salinity stresses reduced the permeability of the rhizosphere by one order in magnitude compared to the unstressed rhizosphere. Conclusions: Abiotic stresses work with root-induced activity to reshape the rhizosphere. As water and nutrients need to pass through the rhizosphere before being taken up by roots, understanding such rhizosphere changes has an important implication in plant acquisition of soil resources.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Rhizospheric permeability, Pore-scale modelling, Abiotic stress, Tortuosity
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	17 Jan 2022 10:40
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 21:15
DOI:	10.1007/s11104-020-04592-3
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3147010

Available Versions of this Item

• Change in hydraulic properties of the rhizosphere of maize under different abiotic stresses. (deposited 04 Jun 2020 09:17)
  • Change in hydraulic properties of the rhizosphere of maize under different abiotic stresses. (deposited 17 Jan 2022 10:40) [Currently Displayed]