Uncovering root compaction response mechanisms: new insights and opportunities

Pandey, Bipin K.; Bennett, Malcolm J.

Abstract

Compaction disrupts soil structure, reducing root growth, nutrient and water uptake, gas exchange, and microbial growth. Root growth inhibition by soil compaction was originally thought to reflect the impact of mechanical impedance and reduced water availability. However, using a novel gas diffusion-based mechanism employing the hormone ethylene, recent research has revealed that plant roots sense soil compaction. Non-compacted soil features highly interconnected pore spaces that facilitate diffusion of gases such as ethylene which are released by root tips. In contrast, soil compaction stress disrupts the pore network, causing ethylene to accumulate around root tips and trigger growth arrest. Genetically disrupting ethylene signalling causes roots to become much less sensitive to compaction stress. Such new understanding about the molecular sensing mechanism and emerging root anatomical traits provides novel opportunities to develop crops resistant to soil compaction by targeting key genes and their signalling pathways. This expert view discusses these recent advances and the molecular mechanisms associated with root–soil compaction responses.

Citation

Pandey, B. K., & Bennett, M. J. (2024). Uncovering root compaction response mechanisms: new insights and opportunities. Journal of Experimental Botany, 75(2), 578-583. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erad389

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 3, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 9, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 10, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 10, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 10, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Experimental Botany
• Print ISSN: 0022-0957
• Electronic ISSN: 1460-2431
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 75
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 578-583
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erad389
• Keywords: ABA, auxin, ethylene, root responses, soil compaction
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/27379177
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jxb/article/75/2/578/7404887?login=false