Does plant root architecture respond to potassium nutrition under water stress? A case from rice seedling root system architectural and growth responses.

Published: Aug. 6, 2020, 6:03 p.m.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.05.237685v1?rss=1 Authors: Patel, D., Bardhan, K., Parekh, V., Patel, D. Abstract: The root is the primary sensing organ for potassium (K) and water availability and thus we test the hypothesis that K may influence root architecture and contribute to drought tolerance under moisture stress. Rice seedlings failed to maintained favourable root architecture with low K under water stress and more reduction was observed in root projected area, maximum width, width to depth ratio. High K helps to maintain root top and bottom angle and reduce root steepness under mild water stress, however, high K supply does not warrant higher water productivity. In severe water stress, the steepness was more regulated by water than K availability. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info