Low temperature limits for root growth in alpine species are set by cell differentiation

This paper explores the causes of plant growth cessation at critically low temperatures in arctic-alpine environments. We grew four alpine plant species in thermostated soil cylinders in the field in the Swiss Alps, monitored root growth and studied root tip anatomy. Roots stopped growing at tempera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AoB PLANTS
Main Authors: Nagelmüller, Sebastian, Hiltbrunner, Erika, Körner, Christian
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 2017
Subjects:
Research Article
Arctic
Online Access:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5710522/
https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plx054
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Summary:This paper explores the causes of plant growth cessation at critically low temperatures in arctic-alpine environments. We grew four alpine plant species in thermostated soil cylinders in the field in the Swiss Alps, monitored root growth and studied root tip anatomy. Roots stopped growing at temperatures between 0.8 and 1.4 {degree sign}C. Microscopic examinations of root tips revealed that rates of cell elongation and differentiation control length growth. Xylem lignification appears to be a co-limiting factor at growth-limiting low temperatures.

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