Corn Journal
  • Corn Journal
  • Author
  • Stalk Rot Booklet
  • Seed Testing
  • Corn Genetics
  • Pathology
  • Sponsors
  • Contact
"You can see a lot by just looking"-Yogi Berra

Corn root epidermal cells

2/6/2020

 
​Although many cells of the corn roots have the basic structures similar to other plant parts, there are significant differences appropriate to the root functions.  Root cell production originates from active root tips, producing epidermal cells, intermediate parenchyma cells and vascular bundles complete with xylem and phloem tissue. 
 
The important function of uptake of water and minerals occurs mostly through the youngest and newest cells near the root tips.  This is enhanced by extensions from some epidermal cells called root hairs, vastly expanding the exposure to the root surface for absorption that occurs mostly by osmotic pressure. This is enhanced by diluting the water in root hair cells with sugars supplied ultimately by leaves and transferred through the phloem.
 
Root hair cell walls block large items, such as fungal mycelium, but smaller molecules pass through to the cell membrane that is selective in allowing entrance.  Root hair extensions of the epidermal cells live for only a few days but as the root tip produces more new cells that produce new root hairs, the enhanced absorption of water and minerals continues.  Auxin hormones are involved in the initiation of the root hairs. The short life is probably useful as the permeability enhances the potential for invasion by pathogens.  After the root hairs disintegrate root cells increase the function of transporting to the xylem.
 
Of course, genetics influences the branching of roots, and production of root hairs. In addition to the multiple genes probably involved, a single root hairless mutant gene rth3 gene has been identified and in trials has shown to be associated with significant losses in grain yield. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18298667/.
 
Lot of things happening in the corn plant that we don’t see.

Comments are closed.

    About Corn Journal

    The purpose of this blog is to share perspectives of the biology of corn, its seed and diseases in a mix of technical and not so technical terms with all who are interested in this major crop. With more technical references to any of the topics easily available on the web with a search of key words, the blog will rarely cite references but will attempt to be accurate. Comments are welcome but will be screened before publishing. Comments and questions directed to the author by emails are encouraged.

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© COPYRIGHT 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  • Corn Journal
  • Author
  • Stalk Rot Booklet
  • Seed Testing
  • Corn Genetics
  • Pathology
  • Sponsors
  • Contact