Summary
RootSlice is a computational model designed to analyse root anatomical phenotypes in three dimensions across different root classes and developmental zones in monocots and dicots. Through case studies in maize, the model demonstrated the mechanisms by which vacuole expansion drives cell elongation, and how increasing cortical aerenchyma whilst reducing cortical cell files reduces metabolic costs. Integration with whole-plant and soil models reveals how root anatomical traits, particularly aerenchyma formation, enhance the utility of cortical tissues for plant performance under nitrogen limitation, offering an in silico platform for exploring root phenotypic variation.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in silico using maize as the primary model organism; geographic location of model development is not specified in the abstract. The modelling approach is transferable to United Kingdom arable systems, particularly for major cereals like wheat and barley, where understanding root anatomy's role in nitrogen use efficiency is pertinent to reducing fertiliser inputs under variable soil conditions.
Key measures
Root anatomical phenotypes (vacuole expansion, cortical aerenchyma, cortical cell file number); root metabolic costs; plant performance across soil nitrogen supply scenarios
Outcomes reported
The study presents RootSlice, a multicellular functional-structural model that captures three-dimensional root anatomical phenotypes in both monocots and dicots. The model was integrated with OpenSimRoot/maize to evaluate how root anatomical traits (cortical aerenchyma, cortical cell files) affect metabolic costs and plant performance under varying soil nitrogen availability.
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