Micro-scale interactions between Arabidopsis root hairs and soil particles influence soil erosion

[en] Soil is essential for sustaining life on land. Plant roots play a crucial role in stabilising soil and minimising erosion, although these mechanisms are still not completely understood. Consequently, identifying and breeding for plant traits to enhance erosion resistance is challenging. Root hair mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana were studied using three different quantitative methods to isolate their effect on root-soil cohesion. We present compelling evidence that micro-scale interactions of root hairs with surrounding soil increase soil cohesion and reduce erosion. Arabidopsis seedlings with root hairs were more difficult to detach from soil, compost and sterile gel media than those with hairless roots, and it was 10-times harder to erode soil from roots with than without hairs. We also developed a model that can consistently predict the impact root hairs make to soil erosion resistance. Our study thus provides new insight into the mechanisms by which roots maintain soil stability. © 2020, The Author(s).

Disciplines :

Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology

Author, co-author :

De Baets, S.; KU Leuven, Oude Markt 13-bus 5005, Leuven, 3000, Belgium

Denbigh, T. D. G.; School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom

Smyth, K. M.; School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom

Eldridge, B. M.; School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom

Weldon, L.; School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom

Higgins, B.; School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Bristol, BS8 1UG, United Kingdom

Matyjaszkiewicz, A.; School of Engineering Mathematics, Queen’s Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, United Kingdom

Meersmans, Jeroen ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Analyse des risques environnementaux

Larson, E. R.; School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom

Chenchiah, I. V.; School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Bristol, BS8 1UG, United Kingdom

More authors (3 more)

Language :

English

Title :

Micro-scale interactions between Arabidopsis root hairs and soil particles influence soil erosion

Publication date :

2020

Journal title :

Communications Biology

eISSN :

2399-3642

Publisher :

Nature Research

Volume :

Issue :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

EPSRC - Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
BBSRC - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Funding text :

This work was supported by Leverhulme Trust project grant RPG-2013-260 to C.S.G., T.A.Q. and T.B.L. that supported S.D.B., K.M.S., L.W. and B.H., as well as a BBSRC SWDTP PhD studentship to T.D.G. (funded by BBSRC grant BB/J014400/1) a BBSRC SWBio PhD studentship to B.M.E. (funded by BBSRC grant BB/M009122/1), and an EPSRC BCCS PhD studentship to A.M. (funded by EPSRC grant EP/E501214/1). A University of Exeter award to T.A.Q. co-funded S.D.B.

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