Heterogeneous Nutrient Supply Promotes Maize Growth and Phosphorus Acquisition: Additive and Compensatory Effects of Lateral Roots and Root Hairs

The study investigated the effects of heterogeneous nutrient supply on maize growth and phosphorus acquisition, focusing on the roles of lateral roots and root hairs. It found that both lateral roots and root hairs contributed additively and compensatorily to enhanced growth and phosphorus uptake. The research highlighted the importance of root architecture in optimizing nutrient acquisition, suggesting that strategic nutrient placement could improve crop performance. The study demonstrated that localized nutrient supply, particularly phosphorus and ammonium nitrogen, promoted maize growth by enhancing root morphological plasticity. The wild type (WT) maize showed significant root hair elongation, while the root hairless (rth3) mutant compensated with increased lateral root growth. This indicated a complementary relationship between lateral roots and root hairs in nutrient acquisition, with differences diminishing at high phosphorus levels. The study concluded that plants adapt to nutrient-rich patches by modulating root traits, enhancing nutrient acquisition through a trade-off between lateral roots and root hairs.