Entries by Amey Redkar

Roots-eye view: Using microdialysis and microCT to non-destructively map root nutrient depletion and accumulation zones

November 10, 2017 in , , , /by

Plant roots constantly engage in nutrient and water uptake for crop productivity. Increasing the nutrient uptake efficiency of roots will promote sustainable agriculture by decreasing the need for fertilizer applications. To achieve this task, we need to understand the physiology of intact roots in their natural soil environment. Brackin et al. examined root nutrient foraging […]

Deep learning for multi-task plant phenotyping

November 3, 2017 in , , , /by

Despite the significant developments in computational biology and modern plant breeding, crop phenotyping poses challenges for automation. Previous machine learning approaches of plant phenotyping have mainly focused on leaf counting in rosette forms or leaf segmentation, and rely on large datasets not particularly useful for monocot crops. Pound et al. have recently described a valuable […]

PLETHORA transcription factors orchestrate de novo organ patterning during Arabidopsis lateral root outgrowth

October 27, 2017 in , , , /by

Lateral root development in plants is a complex process that involves co-ordination of several molecular components to initiate the formation of meristematic cells. Uncovering the details of these processes is confounded by functional redundancy and tight cyclic regulation of different components in the process. Du and Scheres have recently beautifully elucidated these sequential phenomenon and […]

Signatures of adaptation to mutualists revealed by root transcriptional dynamics

October 27, 2017 in , , , /by

A plant’s rhizosphere consists of a huge array of pathogenic microbes many of which can trigger defense responses, leading to decreased growth. On the other hand, beneficial microbes such as rhizobacteria promote growth and can induce systemic resistance while suppressing local immune responses. A recent study aimed to understand the differential host responses towards the […]