Maize brace root mechanics vary by whorl, genotype, and reproductive stage

Author(s)Hostetler, Ashley N.
Author(s)Erndwein, Lindsay
Author(s)Ganji, Elahe
Author(s)Reneau, Jonathan W.
Author(s)Killian, Megan L.
Author(s)Sparks, Erin E.
Date Accessioned2022-04-06T18:18:38Z
Date Available2022-04-06T18:18:38Z
Publication Date2022-03-03
DescriptionThis is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Annals of Botany following peer review. The version of record Ashley N Hostetler, Lindsay Erndwein, Elahe Ganji, Jonathan W Reneau, Megan L Killian, Erin E Sparks, Maize brace root mechanics vary by whorl, genotype, and reproductive stage, Annals of Botany, 2022;, mcac029, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac029 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac029. This article will be embargoed until 03/03/2023.en_US
AbstractBackground and Aims: Root lodging is responsible for significant crop losses world-wide. During root lodging, roots fail by breaking, buckling, or pulling out of the ground. In maize, above-ground roots, called brace roots, have been shown to reduce root lodging susceptibility. However, the underlying structural-functional properties of brace roots that prevent root lodging are poorly defined. In this study, we quantified structural mechanical properties, geometry, and bending moduli for brace roots from different whorls, genotypes, and reproductive stages. Methods: Using 3-point bend tests, we show that brace root mechanics are variable by whorl, genotype, and reproductive stage. Key Results: Generally, we find that within each genotype and reproductive stage, the brace roots from the first whorl (closest to the ground) had higher structural mechanical properties and a lower bending modulus than brace roots from the second whorl. There was additional variation between genotypes and reproductive stages. Specifically, genotypes with higher structural mechanical properties also had a higher bending modulus, and senesced brace roots had lower structural mechanical properties than hydrated brace roots. Conclusions: Collectively these results highlight the importance of considering whorl-of-origin, genotype, and reproductive stage for quantification of brace root mechanics, which is important for mitigating crop loss due to root mechanical failure.en_US
SponsorThis research was made possible by funding from the University of Delaware Research Foundation and the Thomas Jefferson Fund to EES.en_US
CitationAshley N Hostetler, Lindsay Erndwein, Elahe Ganji, Jonathan W Reneau, Megan L Killian, Erin E Sparks, Maize brace root mechanics vary by whorl, genotype, and reproductive stage, Annals of Botany, 2022;, mcac029, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac029en_US
ISSN1095-8290
URLhttps://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/30757
Languageen_USen_US
PublisherAnnals of Botanyen_US
Keywords3-point bend testingen_US
KeywordsAnchorageen_US
KeywordsBiomechanicsen_US
KeywordsBrace rootsen_US
KeywordsLodgingen_US
KeywordsMaizeen_US
KeywordsNodal rootsen_US
KeywordsZea maysen_US
TitleMaize brace root mechanics vary by whorl, genotype, and reproductive stageen_US
TypeArticleen_US
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