Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2023-58
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2023-58
17 Apr 2023
 | 17 Apr 2023
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal BG.

Imaging of the active root current pathway under partial root-zone drying stress: A laboratory study for Vitis vinifera

Benjamin Mary, Veronika Iván, Franco Meggio, Luca Peruzzo, Guillaume Blanchy, Chunwei Chou, Benedetto Ruperti, Yuxin Wu, and Giorgio Cassiani

Abstract. Understanding root signals and their consequences on the whole plant physiology is one of the keys to tackling the water-saving challenge in agriculture. The partial root-zone drying (PRD) method is part of an ensemble of irrigation strategies that aim at improving water use efficiency. To reach this goal tools are needed for the evaluation of the root’s and soil water dynamics in time and space. In controlled laboratory conditions, using a rhizotron built for geoelectrical tomography imaging, we monitored the spatio-temporal changes in soil electrical resistivity for more than a month corresponding to six Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) cycles. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was complemented with Electrical Current Imaging (ECI) using plant stem-induced electrical stimulation. We demonstrated that under mild water stress conditions, it is practically impossible to spatially distinguish the PRD effects using ECI. We evidenced that the Current Source leakage depth varied during the course of the experiment but without any significant relationship to the soil water content changes or transpiration demand. On the other hand, ERT showed spatial patterns associated with irrigation and, to a lesser degree, to RWU. The interpretation of the geoelectrical imaging with respect to root activity was strengthened and correlated with indirect observations of the plant transpiration using a weight monitoring lysimeter and direct observation of the plant leaf gas exchanges.

Benjamin Mary et al.

Status: open (until 05 Jul 2023)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on bg-2023-58', Alexandria S. Kuhl, 28 May 2023 reply

Benjamin Mary et al.

Benjamin Mary et al.

Viewed

Total article views: 218 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
156 50 12 218 5 4
  • HTML: 156
  • PDF: 50
  • XML: 12
  • Total: 218
  • BibTeX: 5
  • EndNote: 4
Views and downloads (calculated since 17 Apr 2023)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 17 Apr 2023)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 216 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 216 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 01 Jun 2023
Download
Short summary
The study explores the partial root-zone drying method, an irrigation strategy aimed at improving water use efficiency. We imaged the root-soil interaction using non-destructive techniques consisting of soil and plant current stimulation. The study found that imaging the processes in time was effective in identifying spatial patterns associated with irrigation and root water uptake. The results will be useful for developing more efficient root detection methods in natural soil conditions.
Altmetrics