Direct measurement of roots in soil for single and mixed species using a quantitative DNA-based method
Date
2011
Authors
Haling, Rebecca E.
Simpson, Richard J.
McKay, Alan C.
Hartley, Diana
Lambers, Hans
Ophel-Keller, Kathy
Wiebkin, Suzanne Constance
Herdina
Riley, Ian Timothy
Richardson, Alan E.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Plant and Soil, 2011; 348(1-2):123-137
Statement of Responsibility
Rebecca E. Haling, Richard J. Simpson, Alan C. McKay, Diana Hartley, Hans Lambers, Kathy Ophel-Keller, Sue Wiebkin, Herdina, Ian T. Riley and Alan E. Richardson
Conference Name
Abstract
Abstract Molecular techniques present a new opportunity to study roots and their interactions in soil. Extraction and quantification of species-specific DNA directly from soil allows direct identification of roots in mixed swards reducing the need for labour-intensive methods to recover and identify individual roots. DNA was extracted directly from up to 0.5 kg of soil and the presence of individual species quantified using speciesspecific probes with quantitative real-time PCR.A range of plant and soil factors influenced the DNA content measured in roots and it was necessary to account for these influences when converting DNA amount to root mass. The utility of the method for quantitative root studies was demonstrated in an experiment to investigate the effect of lime on root growth of acid-soil resistant and sensitive perennial grasses grown together in an aluminium-toxic soil. The rootmass of an acid-soil resistant species was unaffected by lime application, whereas that of an acid-soil sensitive species was restricted by soil acidity. Molecular techniques present a promising tool for quantification of root mass directly in soil and have applications for field studies involving mixed species of plants.
School/Discipline
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Dissertation Note
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© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011