Recent laboratory studies revealed that root hairs may alter soil physical behaviour, influencing soil porosity and water retention on the small scale. However, the results are not consistent, and it is not known if structural changes at the small-scale have impacts at larger scales. Therefore, we evaluated the potential effects of root hairs on soil hydro-mechanical properties in the field using rhizosphere-scale physical measurements.
MethodsChanges in soil water retention properties as well as mechanical and hydraulic characteristics were monitored in both silt loam and sandy loam soils. Measurements were taken from plant establishment to harvesting in field trials, comparing three barley genotypes representing distinct phenotypic categories in relation to root hair length. Soil hardness and elasticity were measured using a 3-mm-diameter spherical indenter, while water sorptivity and repellency were measured using a miniaturized infiltrometer with a 0.4-mm tip radius.
ResultsOver the growing season, plants induced changes in the soil water retention properties, with the plant available water increasing by 21%. Both soil hardness (P\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff890.031) and elasticity (P\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff890.048) decreased significantly in the presence of root hairs in silt loam soil, by 50% and 36%, respectively. Root hairs also led to significantly smaller water repellency (P\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff890.007) in sandy loam soil vegetated with the hairy genotype (-49%) compared to the hairless mutant.
ConclusionsBreeding of cash crops for improved soil conditions could be achieved by selecting root phenotypes that ameliorate soil physical properties and therefore contribute to increased soil health.
", "keywords": ["/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1111", "0106 biological sciences", "Supplementary Data", "QH301 Biology", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1110", "Soil Science", "Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS)", "Plant Science", "01 natural sciences", "630", "QH301", "BBSRC BB/L025825/1", "Barley", "Soil health", "Soil structure", "Root hairs", "Soil hydromechanical properties", "BB/L025620/1", "580", "2. Zero hunger", "name=Soil Science", "ERCDMR-646809", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Soil water retention", "BBSRC BB/J00868/1", "6. Clean water", "Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Other", "name=Plant Science", "Research Article"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/484590/2/s11104_022_05530_1.pdf"}, {"href": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11104-022-05530-1.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05530-1"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11104-022-05530-1", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11104-022-05530-1", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11104-022-05530-1"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-06-11T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:15:36Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2019-12-06", "title": "Significance of root hairs at the field scale \u2013 modelling root water and phosphorus uptake under different field conditions", "description": "Abstract Background and aimsRoot hairs play a significant role in phosphorus (P) extraction at the pore scale. However, their importance at the field scale remains poorly understood.
MethodsThis study uses a continuum model to explore the impact of root hairs on the large-scale uptake of P, comparing root hair influence under different agricultural scenarios. High vs low and constant vs decaying P concentrations down the soil profile are considered, along with early vs late precipitation scenarios.
ResultsSimulation results suggest root hairs accounted for 50% of total P uptake by plants. Furthermore, a delayed initiation time of precipitation potentially limits the P uptake rate by over 50% depending on the growth period. Despite the large differences in the uptake rate, changes in the soil P concentration in the domain due to root solute uptake remains marginal when considering a single growth season. However, over the duration of 6\uffc2\uffa0years, simulation results showed that noticeable differences arise over time.
ConclusionRoot hairs are critical to P capture, with uptake efficiency potentially enhanced by coordinating irrigation with P application during earlier growth stages of crops.
", "keywords": ["/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1111", "0106 biological sciences", "330", "550", "EP/M020355/1", "ERC 646809 DIMR", "QH301 Biology", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1110", "Soil Science", "A. B", "Field", "610", "Plant Science", "01 natural sciences", "NERC NE/L00237/1", "QH301", "Soil", "Plant roots", "Root hairs", "BBSRC SARIC BB/P004180/", "2. Zero hunger", "BBSRC SARISA BB/L025620/1. S. D.", "Mathematical modelling", "Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)", "name=Soil Science", "Water", "Phosphorus", "Regular Article", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "6. Clean water", "Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)", "Rhizosphere", "Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "name=Plant Science", "European Research Council"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/434043/1/Manuscript_No_Tracked_Changes.pdf"}, {"href": "http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-12-06T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108497", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:17:40Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2021-11-28", "title": "Co-localised phosphorus mobilization processes in the rhizosphere of field-grown maize jointly contribute to plant nutrition", "description": "Abstract Understanding phosphorus (P) dynamics in the rhizosphere is crucial for sustainable crop production. P mobilization processes in the rhizosphere include the release of plant and microbially-derived protons and extracellular phosphatases. We investigated the effect of root hairs and soil texture on the spatial distribution and intensity of P mobilizing processes in the rhizosphere of Zea mays L. root-hair defective mutant (rth3) and wild-type (WT) grown in two substrates (loam, sand). We applied 2D-chemical imaging methods in custom-designed root windows installed in the field to visualize soil pH (optodes), acid phosphatase activity (zymography), and labile P and Mn fluxes (diffusive gradients in thin films, DGT). The average rhizosphere extent for phosphatase activity and pH was greater in sand than in loam, while the presence of root-hairs had no impact. Acidification was significantly stronger at young root tissue ( 4\u202fcm from root cap) and stronger in WT than rth3. Accompanied with stronger acidification, higher P flux was observed mainly around young, actively growing root tissues for both genotypes. Our results indicate that acidification was linked to root growth and created a pH optimum for acid phosphatase activity, i.e., mineralization of organic P, especially at young root tissues which are major sites of P uptake. Both genotypes grew better in loam than in sand; however, the presence of root hairs generally resulted in higher shoot P concentrations and greater shoot biomass of WT compared to rth3. We conclude that soil substrate had a larger impact on the extent and intensity of P solubilization processes in the rhizosphere of maize than the presence of root hairs. For the first time, we combined 2D-imaging of soil pH, phosphatase activity, and nutrient gradients in the field and demonstrated a novel approach of stepwise data integration revealing the interplay of various P solubilizing processes in situ.", "keywords": ["[SDV.SA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences", "580", "2. Zero hunger", "0106 biological sciences", "[SDV.SA] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences", "Soil zymography", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "630", "Planar pH optodes", "Root window", "Soil texture", "[SDV.BV]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Root hairs", "[SDV.BV] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108497"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Soil%20Biology%20and%20Biochemistry", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108497", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108497", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108497"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-02-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1093/aob/mcaa181", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:19:03Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-10-07", "title": "Significance of root hairs for plant performance under contrasting field conditions and water deficit", "description": "AbstractBackground and AimsPrevious laboratory studies have suggested selection for root hair traits in future crop breeding to improve resource use efficiency and stress tolerance. However, data on the interplay between root hairs and open-field systems, under contrasting soils and climate conditions, are limited. As such, this study aims to experimentally elucidate some of the impacts that root hairs have on plant performance on a field scale.
MethodsA field experiment was set up in Scotland for two consecutive years, under contrasting climate conditions and different soil textures (i.e. clay loam vs. sandy loam). Five barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes exhibiting variation in root hair length and density were used in the study. Root hair length, density and rhizosheath weight were measured at several growth stages, as well as shoot biomass, plant water status, shoot phosphorus (P) accumulation and grain yield.
Key ResultsMeasurements of root hair density, length and its correlation with rhizosheath weight highlighted trait robustness in the field under variable environmental conditions, although significant variations were found between soil textures as the growing season progressed. Root hairs did not confer a notable advantage to barley under optimal conditions, but under soil water deficit root hairs enhanced plant water status and stress tolerance resulting in a less negative leaf water potential and lower leaf abscisic acid concentration, while promoting shoot P accumulation. Furthermore, the presence of root hairs did not decrease yield under optimal conditions, while root hairs enhanced yield stability under drought.
ConclusionsSelecting for beneficial root hair traits can enhance yield stability without diminishing yield potential, overcoming the breeder\uffe2\uff80\uff99s dilemma of trying to simultaneously enhance both productivity and resilience. Therefore, the maintenance or enhancement of root hairs can represent a key trait for breeding the next generation of crops for improved drought tolerance in relation to climate change.Rhizodeposition, i.e. the release of organic matters by roots, constitutes a significant fraction of the plant carbon (C) budget and plays a key role in plant-soil interactions. However, its spatial and temporal dynamics remain poorly understood.
MethodsWe developed RhizoDep, a new functional-structural root model that simulates 3D root growth, respiration, and rhizodeposition based on C balance and root morphology at the individual root segment level.
ResultsOur model successfully reproduced the dynamics of belowground C flows observed in a previous pulse-labelling field experiment on spring wheat. Our simulations revealed that root C exudation largely dominated over mucilage secretion and cap cells sloughing in terms of C release. The spatial distribution of exudation rate along the roots was driven by the preferential unloading of sugars to support root elongation and emergence, and was modulated by the formation of apoplastic barriers. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that, for a given C allocation flow to roots, variations in root hairs or lateral root number had minimal effects on rhizodeposition, whereas changes in root tissue density had a significant impact.
ConclusionRhizoDep offers a new opportunity to explore the dynamics of C exchange at the plant-soil interface and to identify traits and environmental conditions that favor rhizodeposition.
", "keywords": ["cycle du carbone", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_24242", "Mucilage", "mod\u00e8le de simulation", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16034", "enracinement", "bl\u00e9 de printemps", "hexose", "Root hairs", "[SDV.BV] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_11547", "[SDV.SA.SDS] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences/Soil study", "mucilage", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6651", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_32027", "FSPM", "syst\u00e8me racinaire", "ArchiSimple", "Root exudation", "croissance", "Root architecture", "racine", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3394", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7337", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6569", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6649", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_17299", "[INFO.INFO-MO] Computer Science [cs]/Modeling and Simulation", "rhizosph\u00e8re", "Cells sloughing"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.30.646173"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1101/2025.03.30.646173", "name": "item", "description": "10.1101/2025.03.30.646173", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1101/2025.03.30.646173"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-04-03T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/nph.14705", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:19:49Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2017-07-31", "title": "High-resolution synchrotron imaging shows that root hairs influence rhizosphere soil structure formation", "description": "Summary
In this paper, we provide direct evidence of the importance of root hairs on pore structure development at the root\uffe2\uff80\uff93soil interface during the early stage of crop establishment.
This was achieved by use of high\uffe2\uff80\uff90resolution (c. 5\uffc2\uffa0\uffce\uffbcm) synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) to visualise both the structure of root hairs and the soil pore structure in plant\uffe2\uff80\uff93soil microcosms. Two contrasting genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare), with and without root hairs, were grown for 8\uffc2\uffa0d in microcosms packed with sandy loam soil at 1.2\uffc2\uffa0g\uffc2\uffa0cm\uffe2\uff88\uff923 dry bulk density. Root hairs were visualised within air\uffe2\uff80\uff90filled pore spaces, but not in the fine\uffe2\uff80\uff90textured soil regions.
We found that the genotype with root hairs significantly altered the porosity and connectivity of the detectable pore space (>\uffc2\uffa05\uffc2\uffa0\uffce\uffbcm) in the rhizosphere, as compared with the no\uffe2\uff80\uff90hair mutants. Both genotypes showed decreasing pore space between 0.8 and 0.1\uffc2\uffa0mm from the root surface. Interestingly the root\uffe2\uff80\uff90hair\uffe2\uff80\uff90bearing genotype had a significantly greater soil pore volume\uffe2\uff80\uff90fraction at the root\uffe2\uff80\uff93soil interface.
Effects of pore structure on diffusion and permeability were estimated to be functionally insignificant under saturated conditions when simulated using image\uffe2\uff80\uff90based modelling.
", "keywords": ["construction", "EP/M020355/1", "QH301 Biology", "non-invasive imaging", "Plant Roots", "630", "root hairs", "noninvasive imaging", "QH301", "Soil", "Imaging", " Three-Dimensional", "646809DIMR", "synchrotron", "Computer Simulation", "BB/L025620/1", "BB/J00868/1", "NE/L00237/1", "Hordeum vulgare", "580", "2. Zero hunger", "Civil_env_eng", "Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)", "Research", "Hordeum", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "image-based modelling", "Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)", "Rhizosphere", "Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "rhizosphere", "soil structure", "synchroton", "Porosity", "BB/P004180/1", "Synchrotrons", "BB/L025825/1", "European Research Council"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/4981/1/Koebernick_et_al-2017-New_Phytologist.pdf"}, {"href": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/412143/1/s1_ln2680534218582232741703867393Hwf_1771574461IdV_16951475526805342FIRST_LOOK_PDF0001.pdf"}, {"href": "https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nph.14705"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14705"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/New%20Phytologist", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/nph.14705", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/nph.14705", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/nph.14705"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2017-07-31T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/nph.15516", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:19:49Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-10-06", "title": "Imaging microstructure of the barley rhizosphere: particle packing and root hair influences", "description": "Summary
Soil adjacent to roots has distinct structural and physical properties from bulk soil, affecting water and solute acquisition by plants. Detailed knowledge on how root activity and traits such as root hairs affect the three\uffe2\uff80\uff90dimensional pore structure at a fine scale is scarce and often contradictory.
Roots of hairless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Optic) mutant (NRH) and its wildtype (WT) parent were grown in tubes of sieved (<250\uffc2\uffa0\uffce\uffbcm) sandy loam soil under two different water regimes. The tubes were scanned by synchrotron\uffe2\uff80\uff90based X\uffe2\uff80\uff90ray computed tomography to visualise pore structure at the soil\uffe2\uff80\uff93root interface. Pore volume fraction and pore size distribution were analysed vs distance within 1\uffc2\uffa0mm of the root surface.
Less dense packing of particles at the root surface was hypothesised to cause the observed increased pore volume fraction immediately next to the epidermis. The pore size distribution was narrower due to a decreased fraction of larger pores. There were no statistically significant differences in pore structure between genotypes or moisture conditions.
A model is proposed that describes the variation in porosity near roots taking into account soil compaction and the surface effect at the root surface.
Soil adjacent to roots has distinct structural and physical properties from bulk soil, affecting water and solute acquisition by plants. Detailed knowledge on how root activity and traits such as root hairs affect the three\uffe2\uff80\uff90dimensional pore structure at a fine scale is scarce and often contradictory.
Roots of hairless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Optic) mutant (NRH) and its wildtype (WT) parent were grown in tubes of sieved (<250\uffc2\uffa0\uffce\uffbcm) sandy loam soil under two different water regimes. The tubes were scanned by synchrotron\uffe2\uff80\uff90based X\uffe2\uff80\uff90ray computed tomography to visualise pore structure at the soil\uffe2\uff80\uff93root interface. Pore volume fraction and pore size distribution were analysed vs distance within 1\uffc2\uffa0mm of the root surface.
Less dense packing of particles at the root surface was hypothesised to cause the observed increased pore volume fraction immediately next to the epidermis. The pore size distribution was narrower due to a decreased fraction of larger pores. There were no statistically significant differences in pore structure between genotypes or moisture conditions.
A model is proposed that describes the variation in porosity near roots taking into account soil compaction and the surface effect at the root surface.
Root hairs play a significant role in phosphorus (P) extraction at the pore scale. However, their importance at the field scale remains poorly understood. MethodsThis study uses a continuum model to explore the impact of root hairs on the large-scale uptake of P, comparing root hair influence under different agricultural scenarios. High vs low and constant vs decaying P concentrations down the soil profile are considered, along with early vs late precipitation scenarios.
ResultsSimulation results suggest root hairs accounted for 50% of total P uptake by plants. Furthermore, a delayed initiation time of precipitation potentially limits the P uptake rate by over 50% depending on the growth period. Despite the large differences in the uptake rate, changes in the soil P concentration in the domain due to root solute uptake remains marginal when considering a single growth season. However, over the duration of 6\uffc2\uffa0years, simulation results showed that noticeable differences arise over time.
ConclusionRoot hairs are critical to P capture, with uptake efficiency potentially enhanced by coordinating irrigation with P application during earlier growth stages of crops.
", "keywords": ["/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1111", "0106 biological sciences", "330", "550", "EP/M020355/1", "ERC 646809 DIMR", "QH301 Biology", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1110", "Soil Science", "A. B", "Field", "610", "Plant Science", "01 natural sciences", "NERC NE/L00237/1", "QH301", "Soil", "Plant roots", "Root hairs", "BBSRC SARIC BB/P004180/", "2. Zero hunger", "BBSRC SARISA BB/L025620/1. S. D.", "Mathematical modelling", "Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)", "name=Soil Science", "Water", "Phosphorus", "Regular Article", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "6. Clean water", "Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)", "Rhizosphere", "Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "name=Plant Science", "European Research Council"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/434043/1/Manuscript_No_Tracked_Changes.pdf"}, {"href": "http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11104-019-04308-2.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2164/13582"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2164/13582", "name": "item", "description": "2164/13582", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2164/13582"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-12-06T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2164/17159", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:26:42Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-10-07", "title": "Significance of root hairs for plant performance under contrasting field conditions and water deficit", "description": "AbstractBackground and AimsPrevious laboratory studies have suggested selection for root hair traits in future crop breeding to improve resource use efficiency and stress tolerance. However, data on the interplay between root hairs and open-field systems, under contrasting soils and climate conditions, are limited. As such, this study aims to experimentally elucidate some of the impacts that root hairs have on plant performance on a field scale.
MethodsA field experiment was set up in Scotland for two consecutive years, under contrasting climate conditions and different soil textures (i.e. clay loam vs. sandy loam). Five barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes exhibiting variation in root hair length and density were used in the study. Root hair length, density and rhizosheath weight were measured at several growth stages, as well as shoot biomass, plant water status, shoot phosphorus (P) accumulation and grain yield.
Key ResultsMeasurements of root hair density, length and its correlation with rhizosheath weight highlighted trait robustness in the field under variable environmental conditions, although significant variations were found between soil textures as the growing season progressed. Root hairs did not confer a notable advantage to barley under optimal conditions, but under soil water deficit root hairs enhanced plant water status and stress tolerance resulting in a less negative leaf water potential and lower leaf abscisic acid concentration, while promoting shoot P accumulation. Furthermore, the presence of root hairs did not decrease yield under optimal conditions, while root hairs enhanced yield stability under drought.
ConclusionsSelecting for beneficial root hair traits can enhance yield stability without diminishing yield potential, overcoming the breeder\uffe2\uff80\uff99s dilemma of trying to simultaneously enhance both productivity and resilience. Therefore, the maintenance or enhancement of root hairs can represent a key trait for breeding the next generation of crops for improved drought tolerance in relation to climate change.Recent laboratory studies revealed that root hairs may alter soil physical behaviour, influencing soil porosity and water retention on the small scale. However, the results are not consistent, and it is not known if structural changes at the small-scale have impacts at larger scales. Therefore, we evaluated the potential effects of root hairs on soil hydro-mechanical properties in the field using rhizosphere-scale physical measurements.
MethodsChanges in soil water retention properties as well as mechanical and hydraulic characteristics were monitored in both silt loam and sandy loam soils. Measurements were taken from plant establishment to harvesting in field trials, comparing three barley genotypes representing distinct phenotypic categories in relation to root hair length. Soil hardness and elasticity were measured using a 3-mm-diameter spherical indenter, while water sorptivity and repellency were measured using a miniaturized infiltrometer with a 0.4-mm tip radius.
ResultsOver the growing season, plants induced changes in the soil water retention properties, with the plant available water increasing by 21%. Both soil hardness (P\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff890.031) and elasticity (P\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff890.048) decreased significantly in the presence of root hairs in silt loam soil, by 50% and 36%, respectively. Root hairs also led to significantly smaller water repellency (P\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff890.007) in sandy loam soil vegetated with the hairy genotype (-49%) compared to the hairless mutant.
ConclusionsBreeding of cash crops for improved soil conditions could be achieved by selecting root phenotypes that ameliorate soil physical properties and therefore contribute to increased soil health.
", "keywords": ["/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1111", "0106 biological sciences", "Supplementary Data", "QH301 Biology", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1110", "Soil Science", "Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS)", "Plant Science", "01 natural sciences", "630", "QH301", "BBSRC BB/L025825/1", "Barley", "Soil health", "Soil structure", "Root hairs", "Soil hydromechanical properties", "BB/L025620/1", "580", "2. Zero hunger", "name=Soil Science", "ERCDMR-646809", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Soil water retention", "BBSRC BB/J00868/1", "6. Clean water", "Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Other", "name=Plant Science", "Research Article"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/484590/2/s11104_022_05530_1.pdf"}, {"href": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11104-022-05530-1.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2164/19751"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2164/19751", "name": "item", "description": "2164/19751", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2164/19751"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-06-11T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2164/9249", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-23T16:26:43Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2017-07-31", "title": "High\u2010resolution synchrotron imaging shows that root hairs influence rhizosphere soil structure formation", "description": "Summary
In this paper, we provide direct evidence of the importance of root hairs on pore structure development at the root\uffe2\uff80\uff93soil interface during the early stage of crop establishment.
This was achieved by use of high\uffe2\uff80\uff90resolution (c. 5\uffc2\uffa0\uffce\uffbcm) synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) to visualise both the structure of root hairs and the soil pore structure in plant\uffe2\uff80\uff93soil microcosms. Two contrasting genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare), with and without root hairs, were grown for 8\uffc2\uffa0d in microcosms packed with sandy loam soil at 1.2\uffc2\uffa0g\uffc2\uffa0cm\uffe2\uff88\uff923 dry bulk density. Root hairs were visualised within air\uffe2\uff80\uff90filled pore spaces, but not in the fine\uffe2\uff80\uff90textured soil regions.
We found that the genotype with root hairs significantly altered the porosity and connectivity of the detectable pore space (>\uffc2\uffa05\uffc2\uffa0\uffce\uffbcm) in the rhizosphere, as compared with the no\uffe2\uff80\uff90hair mutants. Both genotypes showed decreasing pore space between 0.8 and 0.1\uffc2\uffa0mm from the root surface. Interestingly the root\uffe2\uff80\uff90hair\uffe2\uff80\uff90bearing genotype had a significantly greater soil pore volume\uffe2\uff80\uff90fraction at the root\uffe2\uff80\uff93soil interface.
Effects of pore structure on diffusion and permeability were estimated to be functionally insignificant under saturated conditions when simulated using image\uffe2\uff80\uff90based modelling.