Root growth response of rainfed lowland rice to aerobic conditions in northeastern Thailand

Yoichiro Kato, Ryosuke Tajima, Koki Homma, Akiko Toriumi, Junko Yamagishi, Tatsuhiko Shiraiwa, Poonsak Mekwatanakarn, Boonrat Jongdee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and aims: Rice plants alternately experience anaerobic and aerobic conditions during their life cycle in rainfed lowlands. Each condition affects root growth differently. Our objective was to clarify the specific rice root response to aerobic conditions in rainfed lowlands. Methods: At the Ubon Ratchathani Rice Research Center in northeastern Thailand, we obtained root samples from 17 'Surin1' (Thai variety) BC3-derived lines and 7 CT9993-5-10-1-M × IR62266-42-6-2 doubled-haploid lines from flooded and non-flooded paddy fields at the reproductive stage in 2010 and 2011. Results: In the non-flooded trial, rice was grown aerobically by draining the perched water; soil moisture at a depth of 20 cm fluctuated between -10 and -30 kPa. Deep rooting was likely promoted under aerobic conditions, but slightly drier soils under longer dry spells seemed to restrict root penetration, as the topsoil rapidly hardened during dry spells of only a few days. Fine-root development in the topsoil was inhibited under aerobic conditions. Conclusions: Even without drought stress, rice roots respond significantly to the disappearance of standing water in rainfed lowlands via deep rooting and root branching. We identified one promising 'Surin1' BC3-derived line showing an adaptive response of deep rooting under aerobic conditions, which can be used as a breeding material for rainfed lowland rice in Thailand.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)557-567
Number of pages11
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume368
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Jul

Keywords

  • Drought
  • Northeast Thailand
  • Rainfed lowland rice
  • Root system architecture

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Soil Science
  • Plant Science

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