Location: Water Management and Systems Research
Project Number: 3012-13000-010-012-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 15, 2019
End Date: Jun 11, 2021
Objective:
1) Determine the presence/absence and intensity of root pressure of maze as it develops from seed through to senescence. This objective is in support of a larger objective to better understand and model maize growth under deficit irrigation and full-watered regimes, for which root pressure measurements are needed.
2) Develop a better understanding of how root pressure is generated by maize and how it is regulated.
Approach:
1) Objective 1 will be assessed across 4-8 different corn genotypes, using field and/or greenhouse facilities at the University of Guam. Root pressure will be measured at increasing height within the canopy using Omega pressure sensors and arduino-based dataloggers. Pressure will be measured from the 3-leaf stage through to senescence for all genotypes.
2) Objective 2 will be pursued at the USDA-ARS greenhouse facility in Fort Collins using the same genotypes as used in Objective 1. Aquaporin inhibitors will be used to investigate the role of aquaporins in the development of root pressure. Water potential, light, and osmolytes will be altered to determine the physical cues that are either required for the development of root pressure, or which directly initiate its development.
