The length of the primary root and the density of lateral roots determine the architecture of the root. In this thesis the effect of NAA, ABA and the NO donor SNP alone as well as the combination of ABA or NAA with SNP on lateral root development was investigated. The interaction between CPTIO, a NO scavenger, and NAA or SNP is also reported. Following preliminary experiments in which it was observed that the aerial part of the seedling influenced LR growth and that there was a possible inhibitory effect of light on cultured root tips, experiments were conducted with excised roots tips in the dark. NAA was shown to have the potential to initiate LRs across a wide concentration gradient with the total number of LRs and initiated lateral root primordia (LRP) remaining constant across the range of concentrations tested. Over the last decade, nitric oxide (NO), a bioactive molecule, has been reported to be involved in the regulation of many biological pathways. The presence of NO in the system provided via sodium nitroprusside (SNP), promoted LRP initiation based on the NAA concentration gradient; but without changing the total LR initiation, that is LRs plus primordia density remained constant along the concentration gradient of NAA. The absence of LR and LRP in the treatments of CPTIO (a NO scavenger) with SNP or NAA suggests that NO regulates LRP initiation triggered by NAA, which is in agreement with the recent paper published after the commencement of this study (Correa-Aragunde et al., 2006). In agreement with previous studies, ABA inhibited lateral root development by reducing LR density and the number of LRs. The experiments with fluridone, an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, may indicate that endogenous ABA was at sufficient concentrations in the excised root tips to inhibit primordia initiation. In this study, evidence is presented for the first time to show that SNP can relieve the inhibitory effect of ABA on LR density and number of LRs suggesting the NO, released from SNP, acts downstream of ABA. Overall these data confirm a critical role for NO in LR initiation.

No description available.

Albertas oil sands are located in the boreal forest where surface mining disturbs huge tracts of land. One such area, Syncrude Canada Ltd.s Mildred Lake mine, contains waste overburden (OB) piles which can be saline and sodic (SSOB). The objectives of this research were to 1) determine SSOB material impacts on planted tree root distributions, 2) quantify root activity to identify plant species growing at depth, and 3) document coarse woody root structure for planted trees. Root distributions for three mixedwood stands on reclaimed OB in relation to electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) were examined using soil cores. Root distributions followed a similar pattern with soil depth as those from undisturbed boreal forest stands and appeared unaffected by the SSOB at this stage; however, future monitoring will be required as the stands mature. Root activity was assessed for jack pine (jP) and white spruce (wS) stands on tailings sand (TS) and OB using a strontium (Sr) chloride tracer. Understory and tree foliage was collected prior to and after application to measure Sr concentration in the control, broadcast, and depth treatments. A small proportion of roots grew in the OB material regardless of its chemical properties. Results from the Sr tracer study suggested that these roots were probably from the clover, sow thistle, and grasses. Planted trees showed little to no change in Sr tissue content suggesting that there were little to no roots in the treatment zones, the understory species out-competed the trees for Sr accessibility, or the tracer was diluted in the tree biomass to undetectable levels. Root systems of planted jP trees older than 10 years and older than 20 years on TS and OB were excavated and the number and diameter of lateral roots, the degree of kinking and coiling, and the presence of a taproot were recorded. Excavated trees showed poor taproot development on 70% of the trees and numerous root deformities, suggesting that more emphasis is needed in correct planting techniques and good planting stock to ensure proper root development. Roots are critical components of boreal forest ecosystems; without healthy root systems productivity may decline, stands may be susceptible to windthrow, and general forest health may suffer.

Albertas oil sands are located in the boreal forest where surface mining disturbs huge tracts of land. One such area, Syncrude Canada Ltd.s Mildred Lake mine, contains waste overburden (OB) piles which can be saline and sodic (SSOB). The objectives of this research were to 1) determine SSOB material impacts on planted tree root distributions, 2) quantify root activity to identify plant species growing at depth, and 3) document coarse woody root structure for planted trees. Root distributions for three mixedwood stands on reclaimed OB in relation to electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) were examined using soil cores. Root distributions followed a similar pattern with soil depth as those from undisturbed boreal forest stands and appeared unaffected by the SSOB at this stage; however, future monitoring will be required as the stands mature. Root activity was assessed for jack pine (jP) and white spruce (wS) stands on tailings sand (TS) and OB using a strontium (Sr) chloride tracer. Understory and tree foliage was collected prior to and after application to measure Sr concentration in the control, broadcast, and depth treatments. A small proportion of roots grew in the OB material regardless of its chemical properties. Results from the Sr tracer study suggested that these roots were probably from the clover, sow thistle, and grasses. Planted trees showed little to no change in Sr tissue content suggesting that there were little to no roots in the treatment zones, the understory species out-competed the trees for Sr accessibility, or the tracer was diluted in the tree biomass to undetectable levels. Root systems of planted jP trees older than 10 years and older than 20 years on TS and OB were excavated and the number and diameter of lateral roots, the degree of kinking and coiling, and the presence of a taproot were recorded. Excavated trees showed poor taproot development on 70% of the trees and numerous root deformities, suggesting that more emphasis is needed in correct planting techniques and good planting stock to ensure proper root development. Roots are critical components of boreal forest ecosystems; without healthy root systems productivity may decline, stands may be susceptible to windthrow, and general forest health may suffer.

A combination of root morphology and plant physiology with drought/or salt tolerance should affect drought resistance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). This experiment was developed to evaluate early vegetative and seedling growth of cotton from the unselected parents with two selected populations of M-8844-0100, DPL 50, and TAM 94L-25 across two cycles for seedling drought. Three genotypes from three generations of selection were grown in tubes to evaluate early growth and in containers to evaluate seedlings for drought resistance in a greenhouse at College Station, TX in 2008 and 2009. The experiment during the winter months of 2008 resulted in shorter tap root length, fewer lateral roots, and lower fresh and dry weight for total root, lateral roots, and shoots. The drought selections in these genotypes affected the tap root fresh weight, and the number and weight of lateral roots. TAM 94L-25 averaged higher tap root fresh and dry weight, lateral root fresh weight and shoot fresh weight. DPL 50 exhibited greater weight of lateral roots and shoot fresh weight. No difference was found in percent wilting across generations for drought at 75 percent apparent wilting and recovery at 90 percent apparent wilting.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 23 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 15-21).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 57 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-46).

The need to curb increased pollution of environmental resources caused by excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer application and N fertilizer use inefficiencies in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production systems warrants an inexpensive, sustainable, environmentally sound solution, the root system. Wheat germplasm containing the short arm of rye chromosome 1 (1RS) has recently been found to have larger root system sizes in pot experiments in addition to previously documented higher yields and resistance to leaf, stem and yellow rust. These 1RS lines could therefore be useful in wheat breeding efforts targeting superior root system traits for yield improvements as well as environmental and economic benefits. This dissertation evaluated field root biomass production of Pavon 76 and its wheat-rye (1RS) translocations, effects of root biomass on nitrogen use efficiency, and the temporal variation in their root morphological traits and early growth vigor. The translocation 1RS.1BL had 9 and 23 % higher total root biomass than Pavon 76 at jointing and physiological maturity respectively. Root N uptake peaked at the jointing, where it comprised 22-34% of the total plant N uptake and was lowest at physiological maturity for all genotypes. The inclusion of root N uptake reduced the N utilization efficiency and N harvest index by 6-14 and 7-15% respectively, indicating that the use of only the above ground plant parts over estimates these parameters. In pot experiments, the translocation 1RS .1AL had 12 and 39% higher root biomass than Pavon 76 at anthesis and maturity respectively. 1RS.1BL had 38% higher root mass and 16% longer roots than Pavon76 at physiological maturity. This suggests the existence of differences among the genotypes in below ground partitioning of assimilates at peak nutrient demand (anthesis) for grain filling, and also in rates of root decay and senescence. The lack of differences in root morphological traits among genotypes at early growth stages (6-46 days after sowing) indicates that there are minimal differences in early root growth vigor. The 1RS translocations could therefore expand the wheat breeder's tool box in selections for superior root traits for improved NUE without adverse effects on grain yield.

The effect of fruit removal from cantaloupe was studied under field conditions in a soil naturally infested with Monosporascus cannonballus. Fruit removal resulted in greater sugar accumulation in the cantaloupe roots compared to the roots from plants on which the fruits were allowed to develop normally. Individual, total, and combined root carbohydrate levels were greater in plants without fruit than in plants with fruit. Five major sugars (stachyose, raffinose, sucrose, glucose, and fructose) were found in the cantaloupe roots. Stachyose concentrations were higher than all the other sugars in the cantaloupe roots. Disease severity on the cantaloupe roots with fruit removed was less severe than on roots of plants with fruit, and dry weights were higher in the fruit removal treatment than those of the fruit non-removal treatment. Fruit removal results in increased root growth and carbohydrate accumulation in the cantaloupe roots. Root sugar concentrations affected infection efficiency and disease progress of Monosporascus root rot and vine decline. Therefore, the retarded development of Monosporascus root rot and vine decline is associated with a greater carbohydrate accumulation in the cantaloupe root.

Ziel dieser Studie war es, die längerfristige Auswirkung der Taschenspül-lösungen 0,9% NaCl (n=18), 0,12% Chlorhexidindigluconat (n=17) und Povidon-Jod (n=16) auf klinische und mikrobiologische Variablen bei 51 Patienten mit generalisierter moderater chronischer Parodontitis während des full mouth SRP zu untersuchen. Die subgingivale Irrigation der behandelten parodontalen Taschen wurde randomisiert durchgeführt. Vor SRP, nach 3 und nach 12 Monaten erfolgte die klinische Diagnostik (PD, BOP, AL) mittels 6-Punktmessung. Subgingivaler Biofilm wurde an vier Zähnen mit einer Sondierungstiefe von 4-6 mm zur quantitativen mikrobiologischen real time PCR-Analyse von Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia und Treponema denticola entnommen. PD nahm in allen Gruppen signifikant ab (p<0,001–p=0,002), CHX wirkte dabei nach 3 Monaten signifikant besser als NaCl (p=0,041). AL war in allen Gruppen nach 3 Monaten signifikant verbessert, nach 12 Monaten nur in der CHX- und Povidon-Jod-Gruppe (p<0,001–p=0,044) ohne Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen. BOP war bei allen signifikant verringert (p<0,001–p=0,002) ohne Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen. Die Gesamtkeimzahl von A.a. (p=0,045) und von P.g. (p=0,002) war nach 12 Monaten und von T.f. nach 3 (p=0,021) und zwischen 3 und 12 Monaten (p=0,011) für Povidon-Jod signifikant reduziert. Für P.g. wurde eine signifikante Reduktion der positiven Proben in der Povidon-Jod-Gruppe nach 3 (p=0,017) und nach 12 Monaten (p=0,001) festgestellt. Bei T.d. lag keine signifikante Veränderung vor. Signifikante Unterschiede lagen zur Baseline-Untersuchung bei A.a. zwischen der CHX- und der Povidon-Jod-Gruppe (p=0,038) und bei P.g. zwischen der Povidon-Jod- und der CHX- bzw. NaCl-Gruppe vor (p<0,001), dies ließ sich im weiteren Verlauf nicht verfolgen. Die angewandte Therapie hat, unabhängig von der Spüllösung, klinisch zum Erfolg geführt. Bei Betrachtung der Wirksamkeit gegen die parodontopathogenen Bakterien A.a., P.g. und T.f. scheint Povidon-Jod überlegen zu sein, jedoch nur bei Betrachtung der Unterschiede innerhalb der Gruppen, nicht bei deren Vergleich.