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The roots of plants grow strictly downward (supergravity)
.
The importance of roots to agricultural production is often underestimated
.
Whether the root system can effectively obtain water and nutrients also determines the adaptability of important crops to drought and climate change
Barley is one of the most important grains, and its uses range from brewing beer to barley, pearl barley, barley flakes and barley flour
.
Not long ago, researchers led by Professor Silvio Salvi of the University of Bologna discovered an unusual barley mutant: its roots do not grow horizontally as normal, but grow straight down
The researchers compared the genome of the mutant strain with that of normal-growing barley
.
They found a mutation on chromosome 5, which they named "enhanced gravity 2" (egt2), which means "enhanced gravity orientation
Research roots can also use MRI scanners
Researchers plant small barley plants in germination paper or soil, and use scanners and special software to record the angle of the roots
.
They also used the resources of Forschungszentrum Jülich: there, barley is grown in special "flower pots" that can be put into an MRI scanner
Plants with egt2 mutations are far more sensitive to the effects of gravity than normal specimens
.
The researchers proved this by placing the roots of barley seedlings at a 90-degree angle to the direction of gravity
Mutations are rare
This kind of mutation does not happen often
.
"Many mutants have shorter or missing roots," Hochholdinger said
According to the researchers, the discovery of this mutation provides a potential starting point for breeding new varieties
.
Hochholdinger explained: "When it comes to the use of water resources and deeper fluid nutrients, a more vertical root system is advantageous
The starting point for breeding drought-tolerant varieties
"So far, in the breeding process, the roots have been largely ignored," Hochholdinger said
.
But as climate change causes droughts to intensify, the structure of the root system may be very important in the future
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