Root hairs matter at field scale for maize shoot growth and nutrient uptake, but root trait plasticity is primarily triggered by texture and drought

Abstract Aims Root hairs are important for uptake, especially nutrients with low mobility in soils high sorption capacity. Mutants defective root expected to have lower nutrient unless they compensate more growth. Since can also contribute the plant's water uptake their importance could change over course of a growing season. It was our objective investigate role under field conditions. Methods The hair mutant rth3 Zea mays and corresponding wild-type were grown two years conditions on sand loam. Results Shoot growth P K plants promoted by presence at all stages. Differences between genotypes greater loam than until tassel emergence, presumably as additional exploitation is relevant Compensation absence increased not observed absolute terms. shoot ratio higher wild-type. traits showed plasticity response texture, most salient being mean diameter sand, irrespective genotype. mechanism causing increase still unknown. length density which be explained need exploration this substrate. Conclusion confirmed large impact texture consequences carbon balance require further investigations.