Distinctive plasticity of maize (Zea mays) root types to variable nitrate concentration

Maize roots vary their growth in response to nitrate (NO-3) concentration in the environment, but growth plasticity differs among root types. We assessed the morphological response of lateral and axial roots on the primary, seminal, and crown root types exposed to 0, 1, 2, 3.9, and 7.8 mmol L-1NO-3. Higher NO-3 concentration did not change the growth of all axial roots and laterals of primary roots but caused positive quadratic growth in laterals of the seminal and crown root types. Maize root plasticity to NO-3 concentrations is the result of differential growth of laterals on seminal and crown root types.

Automated summary

Maize roots adjust their growth according to the nitrate (NO-3) concentration in the environment, but the plasticity differs among different types of roots. We investigated the morphological response of lateral and axial roots on primary, seminal, and crown root types exposed to various concentrations of NO-3. Higher NO-3 concentration did not affect the growth of all axial roots and laterals of primary roots, but resulted in positive quadratic growth in laterals of the seminal and crown root types. The plasticity of maize roots to NO-3 concentrations is influenced by the differential growth of laterals on seminal and crown root types.