Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 51, No. 345, pp. 755-768,
April 2000
© 2000 Oxford University Press
Mapping meristem respiration of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch seedlings: potential respiration of the meristems, O2 diffusional constraints and combined effects on root growth
1 INRA, 42 rue Georges Morel, BP 57, 49071, Beaucouzé, France
2 INRA, Unité de Science du Sol, Domaine St-Paul, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon Cedex 9, France
3 Unité d'Ecophysiologie et Horticulture, Domaine Saint-Paul, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon Cedex 9, France
Root system architecture partially results from meristem activities, which themselves depend on endogenous and environmental factors, such as O2 depletion. In this study, meristem respiration and growth was measured in the root systems of three Prunus persica (L.) Batsch seedlings. The spatial distribution of meristem respiration within the root system was described, and the relationship between the respiration rates and meristem radii was analysed, using a model of radial O2 diffusion and consumption within the root. Histological observations were also used to help interpret the results. Respiration rates were linearly correlated to the root growth rates (
2=0.9). Respiration reached values greater than 3.5x10-13 mol O2s-1 for active meristems. The taproot meristem consumed more O2 than the rest of the entire root system meristems. Similarly, the first order lateral meristems used more O2 than the second order ones. A near hyperbolic relationship between respiration rates and meristem radii was observed. This can be explained by a model of radial O2 diffusion and consumption within the root. Therefore, only one maximum potential respiration rate and one O2 diffusion coefficient was estimated for all the meristems.
Key words: O2-microelectrode, meristem respiration, spatial distribution, root system architecture, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.
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