Impact of root observation windows on plant performance, root development, and rhizosphere-microbial communities during late vegetative growth of field-grown winter wheat.
Background and AimsRoot
observation windows (RW) installed in the field provide a tool for
non-destructive monitoring of root development and rhizosphere
processes. However, the highly invasive installation process, which
requires cutting soil profiles, may affect plant development and,
ultimately, the outcome of the experiments. This study systematically
compares plant development with and without the installation of RW.MethodsUsing
the location of a long-term field experiment, the responses of winter
wheat to different intensities of tillage, N-fertilization, and use of
fungicides were compared for plants grown along root windows and in
undisturbed control plots. Sampling was performed during late vegetative
growth, six weeks after RW installation, with comparisons of shoot and
root biomass, root length, mineral nutritional status, stress-related
gene expression, stress metabolites, and the composition of microbial
communities reflecting rhizosphere (RH) conditions.ResultsThe
presence of RW did not significantly affect most of the parameters
analyzed. As an exception, RW plants showed increased foliar
concentrations of several nutrients (K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn), potentially
attributable to reduced inter-plant competition because RW were
installed along border rows of the experimental plots. By contrast,
N-fertilization intensity and fungicide use affected plant biomass, root
growth, and fungal communities. Tillage intensity primarily affected
fine-root production, the composition of RH-microbial communities, and
physiological stress indicators in leaf tissue.ConclusionThe
results suggest only a limited influence on performance of winter wheat
six weeks after RW installation under the selected experimental
conditions, with plant responses and experimental results comparable to
undisturbed controls.