RESEARCH REVIEW: MAIZE ROOT ELONGATION MECHANISMS UNDER WATER DEFICIT
Crop Physiology Review, Vol. 22, 2025.
Maize cultivars exhibit varying responses to drought stress. This paper examines root phenotypic changes in drought-resistant hybrids.
Key Findings:
1. Deep root elongation is driven by localized cell wall loosening, allowing roots to penetrate deeper soil horizons.
2. Osmotic adjustment maintains turgor pressure in root tips even when soil moisture drops below 25%.
3. Selecting hybrids with deep rooting profiles improves dry-land farming yields by 15-20%.
