A mechanical theory of competition between plant root growth and soil pressure reveals a potential mechanism of root penetration.
Sci Rep
; 13(1): 7473, 2023 05 09.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37160914
ABSTRACT
Root penetration into the soil is essential for plants to access water and nutrients, as well as to mechanically support aboveground structures. This requires a combination of healthy plant growth, adequate soil mechanical properties, and compatible plant-soil interactions. Despite the current knowledge of the static rheology driving the interactions at the root-soil interface, few theoretical approaches have attempted to describe root penetration with dynamic rheology. In this work, we experimentally showed that radish roots in contact with soil of specific density during a specific growth stage fail to penetrate the soil. To explore the mechanism of root penetration into the soil, we constructed a theoretical model to explore the relevant conditions amenable to root entry into the soil. The theory indicates that dimensionless parameters such as root growth anisotropy, static root-soil competition, and dynamic root-soil competition are important for root penetration. The consequent theoretical expectations were supported by finite element analysis, and a potential mechanism of root penetration into the soil is discussed.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Suelo
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci Rep
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Japón