Root Ratio (root + ratio)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Mitochondrial respiratory pathways modulate nitrate sensing and nitrogen-dependent regulation of plant architecture in Nicotiana sylvestris

THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 6 2008
Till K. Pellny
Summary Mitochondrial electron transport pathways exert effects on carbon,nitrogen (C/N) relationships. To examine whether mitochondria,N interactions also influence plant growth and development, we explored the responses of roots and shoots to external N supply in wild-type (WT) Nicotiana sylvestris and the cytoplasmic male sterile II (CMSII) mutant, which has a N-rich phenotype. Root architecture in N. sylvestris seedlings showed classic responses to nitrate and sucrose availability. In contrast, CMSII showed an altered ,nitrate-sensing' phenotype with decreased sensitivity to C and N metabolites. The WT growth phenotype was restored in CMSII seedling roots by high nitrate plus sugars and in shoots by gibberellic acid (GA). Genome-wide cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of leaves from mature plants revealed that only a small subset of transcripts was altered in CMSII. Tissue abscisic acid content was similar in CMSII and WT roots and shoots, and growth responses to zeatin were comparable. However, the abundance of key transcripts associated with GA synthesis was modified both by the availability of N and by the CMSII mutation. The CMSII mutant maintained a much higher shoot/root ratio at low N than WT, whereas no difference was observed at high N. Shoot/root ratios were strikingly correlated with root amines/nitrate ratios, values of <1 being characteristic of high N status. We propose a model in which the amine/nitrate ratio interacts with GA signalling and respiratory pathways to regulate the partitioning of biomass between shoots and roots. [source]


Effect of Pimobendan or Benazepril Hydrochloride on Survival Times in Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure Caused by Naturally Occurring Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease: The QUEST Study

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008
J. Häggström
Background: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in geriatric dogs despite conventional therapy. Hypothesis: Pimobendan in addition to conventional therapy will extend time to sudden cardiac death, euthanasia for cardiac reasons, or treatment failure when compared with conventional therapy plus benazepril in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) attributable to MMVD. Animals: Two hundred and sixty client-owned dogs in CHF caused by MMVD were recruited from 28 centers in Europe, Canada, and Australia. Methods: A prospective single-blinded study with dogs randomized to PO receive pimobendan (0.4,0.6 mg/kg/d) or benazepril hydrochloride (0.25,1.0 mg/kg/d). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, euthanized for heart failure, or treatment failure. Results: Eight dogs were excluded from analysis. One hundred and twenty-four dogs were randomized to pimobendan and 128 to benazepril. One hundred and ninety dogs reached the primary endpoint; the median time was 188 days (267 days for pimobendan, 140 days for benazepril hazard ratio = 0.688, 95% confidence limits [CL] = 0.516,0.916, P= .0099). The benefit of pimobendan persisted after adjusting for all baseline variables. A longer time to reach the endpoint was also associated with being a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, requiring a lower furosemide dose, and having a higher creatinine concentration. Increases in several indicators of cardiac enlargement (left atrial to aortic root ratio, vertebral heart scale, and percentage increase in left ventricular internal diameter in systole) were associated with a shorter time to endpoint, as was a worse tolerance for exercise. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Pimobendan plus conventional therapy prolongs time to sudden death, euthanasia for cardiac reasons, or treatment failure in dogs with CHF caused by MMVD compared with benazepril plus conventional therapy. [source]


Adaxial/abaxial specification in the regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal opening with respect to light orientation and growth with CO2 enrichment in the C4 species Paspalum dilatatum

NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2008
Ana Sofia Soares
Summary ,,Whole-plant morphology, leaf structure and composition were studied together with the effects of light orientation on the dorso-ventral regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in Paspalum dilatatum cv. Raki plants grown for 6 wk at either 350 or 700 µl l,1 CO2. ,,Plant biomass was doubled as a result of growth at high CO2 and the shoot:root ratio was decreased. Stomatal density was increased in the leaves of the high CO2 -grown plants, which had greater numbers of smaller stomata and more epidermal cells on the abaxial surface. ,,An asymmetric surface-specific regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance was observed with respect to light orientation. This was not caused by dorso-ventral variations in leaf structure, the distribution of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) proteins or light absorptance, transmittance or reflectance. ,,Adaxial/abaxial specification in the regulation of photosynthesis results from differential sensitivity of stomatal opening to light orientation and fixed gradients of enzyme activation across the leaf. [source]


What are the effects of nitrogen deficiency on growth components of lettuce?

NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 3 2000
M. R. BROADLEY
Relationships between nitrogen (N) content and growth are routinely measured in plants. This study determined the effects of N on the separate morphological and physiological components of plant growth, to assess how N-limited growth is effected through these components. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants were grown hydroponically under contrasting N-supply regimes, with the external N supply either maintained continuously throughout the period of study, or withdrawn for up to 14 d. Richards' growth functions, selected using an objective curve-fitting technique, accounted for 99.0 and 99.1% of the variation in plant dry weight for control and N-limited plants respectively. Sublinear relationships occurred between N and relative growth rates under restricted N-supply conditions, consistent with previous observations. There were effects of treatment on morphological and physiological components of growth. Leaf weight ratio increased over time in control plants and decreased in N- limited plants. Shoot:root ratio followed a similar pattern. On a whole-plant basis, assimilation of carbon decreased in N-limited plants, a response paralleled by differences in stomatal conductance between treatments. Changes in C assimilation, expressed as a function of stomatal conductance to water vapour, suggest that the effects of N limitation on growth did not result directly from a lack of photosynthetic enzymes. Relationships between plant N content and components of growth will depend on the availability of different N pools for remobilization and use within the plant. [source]


The reliability of crown,root ratio, linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs

ORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2000
Steve Stramotas
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of crown and root length, crown,root ratio and angular measurements of teeth relative to constructed reference lines and to other teeth in the same region on consecutive (T1 and T2) panoramic radiographs (OPGs). This retrospective study employed 20 cases; ten with five implants in each jaw (age range between 20 and 60 years) and ten with a full permanent dentition (age range between 12 and 16 years). The consecutive pairs of OPGs ranged from 6 months to 3 years apart. Four variables were measured and compared: 1) the crown or coronal segment length and the root or apical segment length; 2) the crown,root ratio; 3) the angulations of teeth and implants relative to specific reference lines in each jaw; 4) the angle between teeth and implants in the same sextant. The results revealed that comparisons of measurements taken of the same structures at T1 and T2, there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between vertical linear measurements. The crown,root ratios and coronal,apical segment ratios too, showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Whereas, angulations of teeth or implants relative to respective reference lines showed significant differences (p=0.001) for some of the teeth. These differences, however, were less than 5°; a clinically acceptable range. Angles measured between teeth or implants in the same sextant showed no significant differences (p>0.05). These results seem to support the hypothesis, therefore, that the linear vertical measurements, ratio calculations and angular measurements can be used to compare crown and root lengths, crown,root ratios and tooth angulations on OPGs taken of the same patient at different times with consistent accuracy. [source]


Counteractive biomass allocation responses to drought and damage in the perennial herb Convolvulus demissus

AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
IVÁN M. QUEZADA
Abstract Herbivory and water shortage are key ecological factors affecting plant performance. While plant compensatory responses to herbivory include reallocation of biomass from below-ground to above-ground structures, plant responses to reduced soil moisture involve increased biomass allocation to roots and a reduction in the number and size of leaves. In a greenhouse study we evaluated the effects of experimental drought and leaf damage on biomass allocation in Convolvulus demissus (Convolvulaceae), a perennial herb distributed in central Chile, where it experiences summer drought typical of Mediterranean ecosystems and defoliation by leaf beetles and livestock. The number of leaves and internode length were unaffected by the experimental treatments. The rest of plant traits showed interaction of effects. We detected that drought counteracted some plant responses to damage. Thus, only in the control watering environment was it observed that damaged plants produced more stems, even after correcting for main stem length (index of architecture). In the cases of shoot : root ratio, relative shoot biomass and relative root biomass we found that the damage treatment counteracted plant responses to drought. Thus, while undamaged plants under water shortage showed a significant increase in root relative biomass and a significant reduction in both shoot : root ratio and relative shoot biomass, none of these responses to drought was observed in damaged plants. Total plant biomass increased in response to simulated herbivory, apparently due to greater shoot size, and in response to drought, presumably due to greater root size. However, damaged plants under experimental drought had the same total biomass as control plants. Overall, our results showed counteractive biomass allocation responses to drought and damage in C. demissus. Further research must address the fitness consequences under field conditions of the patterns found. This would be of particular importance because both current and expected climatic trends for central Chile indicate increased aridity. [source]


The reliability of crown,root ratio, linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs

ORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2000
Steve Stramotas
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of crown and root length, crown,root ratio and angular measurements of teeth relative to constructed reference lines and to other teeth in the same region on consecutive (T1 and T2) panoramic radiographs (OPGs). This retrospective study employed 20 cases; ten with five implants in each jaw (age range between 20 and 60 years) and ten with a full permanent dentition (age range between 12 and 16 years). The consecutive pairs of OPGs ranged from 6 months to 3 years apart. Four variables were measured and compared: 1) the crown or coronal segment length and the root or apical segment length; 2) the crown,root ratio; 3) the angulations of teeth and implants relative to specific reference lines in each jaw; 4) the angle between teeth and implants in the same sextant. The results revealed that comparisons of measurements taken of the same structures at T1 and T2, there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between vertical linear measurements. The crown,root ratios and coronal,apical segment ratios too, showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Whereas, angulations of teeth or implants relative to respective reference lines showed significant differences (p=0.001) for some of the teeth. These differences, however, were less than 5°; a clinically acceptable range. Angles measured between teeth or implants in the same sextant showed no significant differences (p>0.05). These results seem to support the hypothesis, therefore, that the linear vertical measurements, ratio calculations and angular measurements can be used to compare crown and root lengths, crown,root ratios and tooth angulations on OPGs taken of the same patient at different times with consistent accuracy. [source]


Nutrient Limitation to Primary Productivity in a Secondary Savanna in Venezuela1

BIOTROPICA, Issue 4 2002
Nichole N. Barger
ABSTRACT We examined nutrient limitation to primary productivity in a secondary savanna in the interior branch of the Coastal Range of Venezuela, which was converted from forest to savanna more than 100 years ago. We manipulated soil nutrients by adding nitrogen (+N), phosphorus and potassium (+PK), and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (+NPK) to intact savanna. Eleven months after fertilization, we measured aboveground biomass and belowground biomass as live fine roots in the top 20 cm of soil, and species and functional group composition in response to nutrient additions. Aboveground biomass was highest in the NPK treatment ([mean g/m2]; control = 402, +N = 718, +PK = 490, +NPK = 949). Aboveground production, however, appeared to be limited primarily by N. Aboveground biomass increased 78 percent when N was added alone but did not significantly respond to PK additions when compared to controls. In contrast to aboveground biomass, belowground biomass increased with PK additions but showed no significant increase with N (depth 0,20 cm; [mean g/m2]; control = 685, +N = 443, +PK = 827, +NPK = 832). There was also a 36 percent increase in root length with PK additions when compared to controls. Whole savanna shoot:root ratios were similar for control and +PK (0.6), while those for +N or +NPK fertilization were significantly higher (1.7 and 1.2, respectively). Total biomass response (above + belowground) to nutrient additions showed a strong N and PK co-limitation ([mean g/m2]; control = 1073, +N = 1111, +PK = 1258, +NPK = 1713). Aboveground biomass of all monocots increased with N additions, whereas dicots showed no response to nutrient additions. Trachypogon spp. (T. plumosus+T. vestitus) and Axonopus canescens, the two dominant grasses, made up more than 89 percent of the total aboveground biomass in these sites. Trachypogon spp. responded to NPK, whereas A. canescens, sedges, and the remaining monocots only responded to N. Even though nutrient additions resulted in higher aboveground biomass in N and NPK fertilized plots, this had little effect on plant community composition. With the exception of sedges, which responded positively to N additions and increased from 4 to 8 percent of die plant community, no changes were observed in plant community composition after 11 months. RESUMEN En este estudio se examinaron las limitaciones nutricionales en la productividad primatia de una sabana secundaria de más de 100 años localizada en el brazo interior de la Cordillera de la Costa de Venezuela. Se manipularon los nutrientes del suelo mediante la adición de nitrógeno (+N), fósforo y potasio (+PK), y nitrógeno, fósforo, y potasio (+NPK) al suelo de la sabana. Después de once meses de iniciarse los experimentos se midió la respuesta a la adición de nutrientes en términos de producción de biomasa aérea, biomasa de raíces finas vivas en los primeros 20 cm de suelo, y cambios en la composición de especies y grupos funcionales. La biomasa aérea fue mayor en las parcelas fertilizadas con N o en combinación de NPK ([promedio g/m2]; control = 402, +N = 718, +PK = 490, +NPK = 949) indicando que la producción aéiea está limitada principalmente por N. No hubo respuesta estadísticamente significativa a la adición de PK con respecto a los controles. La biomasa de raíces finas aumentó con la adición de PK y NPK mientras que no hubo aumento significativo con N (Profundidad 0,20 cm; [promedio g/m2]; control=685, +N=443, +PK=827, +NPK=832). La adición de PK modificó la arquitectura radical con un anmento de 36 por ciento en la longitud de las raíces con respecto al control. La relación vástago/raíz fue similar en los tratmientos controly + PK (0.6), pero significativamente mayor en +N (1.7)y +NPK(1.2) indicando nuevamente una limitación principal por N. La respuesta de la biomasa total (vástago +raíces vivas) a la adición de nutrientes refleja una colimitación de N y PK ([promedio g/m2]; control=1073, +N=1111, +PK+1258,+NPK=1713). La biomasa aérea de las monocotiledóneas aumentó de N, mientras que no hubo respuesta significativa a la adición de nutrientes en las dicotiledóneas. Trachypogon spp (T. Plumosus+T. vestitus) and Axonopus canescens, las dos gramíneas dominantes, representaron más del 89 por ciento de la biomasa total en las parcelas. Trachypogon spp respondieron a NPK, mientras que A. canescens, cuoeráceas, y las otras monocotiledóneas sólo respondieron a N. No hubo cambios significativos en la composición de especies como respuesta a la adición de nutrientes, con la excepción de las ciperáceas que respondieron significativamente a la adición de N con un aumento de 4 a 8 por ciento. [source]


CASIROZ: Root Parameters and Types of Ectomycorrhiza of Young Beech Plants Exposed to Different Ozone and Light Regimes

PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
eleznik
Abstract: Tropospheric ozone (O3) triggers physiological changes in leaves that affect carbon source strength leading to decreased carbon allocation below-ground, thus affecting roots and root symbionts. The effects of O3 depend on the maturity-related physiological state of the plant, therefore adult and young forest trees might react differently. To test the applicability of young beech plants for studying the effects of O3 on forest trees and forest stands, beech seedlings were planted in containers and exposed for two years in the Kranzberg forest FACOS experiment (Free-Air Canopy O3 Exposure System, http:www.casiroz.de) to enhanced ozone concentration regime (ambient [control] and double ambient concentration, not exceeding 150 ppb) under different light conditions (sun and shade). After two growing seasons the biomass of the above- and below-ground parts, beech roots (using WinRhizo programme), anatomical and molecular (ITS-RFLP and sequencing) identification of ectomycorrhizal types and nutrient concentrations were assessed. The mycorrhization of beech seedlings was very low (ca. 5 % in shade, 10 % in sun-grown plants), no trends were observed in mycorrhization (%) due to ozone treatment. The number of Cenococcum geophilum type of ectomycorrhiza, as an indicator of stress in the forest stands, was not significantly different under different ozone treatments. It was predominantly occurring in sun-exposed plants, while its majority share was replaced by Genea hispidula in shade-grown plants. Different light regimes significantly influenced all parameters except shoot/root ratio and number of ectomycorrhizal types. In the ozone fumigated plants the number of types, number of root tips per length of 1 to 2 mm root diameter, root length density per volume of soil and concentration of Mg were significantly lower than in control plants. Trends to a decrease were found in root, shoot, leaf, and total dry weights, total number of root tips, number of vital mycorrhizal root tips, fine root (mass) density, root tip density per surface, root area index, concentration of Zn, and Ca/Al ratio. Due to the general reduction in root growth indices and nutrient cycling in ozone-fumigated plants, alterations in soil carbon pools could be predicted. [source]


Physiological changes in soybean (Glycine max) Wuyin9 in response to N and P nutrition

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
YINBO GAN
Summary Phosphorus deficiency is a very common problem in the acid soil of central China. Previous research has shown that starter N and N topdressing at the flowering stage (Rl) increased soybean (Glycine max) yield and N2 fixation (Gan et al, 1997, 2000). However, there is little information available concerning soybean response to P-fertiliser in soybean production in central China (Gan, 1999). A field experiment was conducted to investigate the response to P (0 kg P ha,1, 22 kg P ha,1, 44 kg P ha,1 before sowing) and N fertiliser application (N1: 0 kg N ha,1, N2: 25 kg N ha,1 before sowing, N3: N2 + 50 kg N ha,1 at the V2 stage and N4: N2 + 50 kg N ha,1 at the R1 stage) on growth, yield and N2 fixation of soybean. Both N and P fertiliser increased growth and seed yield of soybean (P < 0.01). Application of basal P fertiliser at 22 kg P ha,1 or 44 kg P ha,1 increased total N accumulation by 11% and 10% (P < 0.01) and seed yield by 12% and 13% (P < 0.01), respectively, compared to the zero P treatment. Although application of starter N at 25 kg N ha,1 had no positive effect on seed yield at any P level (P > 0.05), an application of a topdressing of 50 kg N ha,1 at the V2 or R1 stage increased total N accumulation by 11% and 14% (P < 0.01) and seed yield by 16% and 21% (P < 0.01), respectively, compared to the zero N treatment. Soybean plants were grown on sterilised Perlite in the greenhouse experiment to study the physiological response to different concentrations of phosphate (P1: 0 mM; P2: 0.05 mM; P3: 0.5 mM; P4:1.0 mN) and nitrate (N1: 0 mM with inoculation, N2: 20 mM with inoculation). The result confirmed that N and P nutrients both had positive effects on growth, nodulation and yield (P < 0.01). The relative importance of growth parameters that contributed to the larger biomass with N and P fertilisation was in decreasing order: (i) total leaf area, (ii) individual leaf area, (iii) shoot/root ratio, (iv) leaf area ratio and (v) specific leaf area. The yield increase at N and P supply was mainly associated with more seeds and a larger pod number per plant, which confirmed the result from the field experiment. [source]