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New discovery paves way for crops to grow in damaged soils
11 February 2021 |
The technology holds huge potential for farmers in the UK, Professor Sacha Mooney says
Scientists have discovered a signal that causes roots to stop growing in hard soils which can be ‘switched off’ to allow them to punch through, a finding which may have ‘huge implications’ for agriculture.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have discovered that roots do not stop growing in hard soils because of physical obstruction, but instead as a reaction to the plant hormone ethylene.
Ethylene is given off by plant roots, but in compressed soils is more likely to stay concentrated around the root, triggering a response by the root to stop growing.
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IMAGE: Twelve wheat genotypes and six corn genotypes were grown in a greenhouse at the University Park campus. Large growth containers, or mesocosms, were set up with a compacted soil layer. view more
Credit: Hannah Schneider, Penn State
A previously unknown root trait allows some cereal plants to grow deeper roots capable of punching through dry, hard, compacted soils, according to Penn State researchers, who suggest that harnessing the inherited characteristic could lead to crops better able to deal with a changing climate. This discovery bodes well for American and global agriculture because the trait helps corn, wheat and barley grow deeper roots, which is important for drought tolerance, nitrogen efficiency and carbon sequestration, said Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor in plant science. Breeding for this trait should be helpful in developing new crops for climate mitigation.