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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Water Management and Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #368772
Research Project: Improving the Sustainability of Irrigated Farming Systems in Semi-Arid Regions

Location: Water Management and Systems Research

Title: Root anatomy

Author
item ZADWORNY, MARCIN - Polish Academy Of Sciences
item Comas, Louise
item BAGNIEWSKA-ZADWORNA, AGNIESZKA - Adam Mickiewicz University

Submitted to: New Phytologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/22/2021
Publication Date: 10/5/2021
Citation: Zadworny, M., Comas, L.H., Bagniewska-Zadworna, A. 2021. Root anatomy. New Phytologist. 232(3):1028-1037. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17572.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17572

Interpretive Summary: Root anatomy is the general term that refers to the internal structure of roots and the internal makeup of root tissue in relation to overall root shape and size. Anatomical examination of root tissues allows for a unique perspective on root functioning because this internal structure affects the path of water and nutrient movement through root tissues, physical interactions of root tissues with soil microbiota, and plant adaptation to environmental conditions (e.g., structure and profile, nutrient availability, oxygen limitation, drought, low temperature). However, studies of root anatomy and its relation to root functioning among different species are particularly rare. Simple methods for examining root anatomy are developed and detailed here for the purpose of making procedures accessible and facilitate data collection across a broad range of studies.

Technical Abstract: Root anatomy is the general term that refers to the internal structure of roots and the internal makeup of root tissue in relation to overall root shape and size. Anatomical examination of root tissues allows for a unique perspective on root functioning because this internal structure affects the path of water and nutrient movement through root tissues, physical interactions of root tissues with soil microbiota, and plant adaptation to environmental conditions (e.g., structure and profile, nutrient availability, oxygen limitation, drought, low temperature). However, studies of root anatomy and its relation to root functioning among different species are particularly rare. Simple methods for examining root anatomy are developed and detailed here for the purpose of making procedures accessible and facilitate data collection across a broad range of studies.