Root compaction (VIDEO)
Caption
Images show the response of rice plant roots to soil compaction. The 'wild type' control (left) shows a reduction in root growth due to the build-up of the gas ethylene in the soil pores around the root. An ethylene insensitive rice line (right) shows no reduction of growth in the compacted soil, highlighting the role of ethylene in how plant roots sense their local environment. The low level of air-filled soil pores due to the high soil compaction is shown in blue. The images were obtained using X-ray Computed Tomography scans at The Hounsfield Facility, University of Nottingham.
Credit
University of Nottingham
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