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Published on: January 14, 2016
Determinate root growth and meristem maintenance in angiosperms
S Shishkova1, T L Rost, J G Dubrovsky
1Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, 62250, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
Determinate root growth occurs when the root apical meristem (RAM) stops producing new cells, leading to differentiation. This review explores RAM maintenance, exhaustion mechanisms, and genetic factors in plant roots.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Determinate growth in plants is characterized by the exhaustion of the active meristem in a developed organ.
- This contrasts with indeterminate growth, where the meristem remains active.
- Determinate root growth, where the root apical meristem (RAM) becomes exhausted, is common in angiosperms and may be an adaptation to environmental stresses like drought or low soil nutrients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms governing determinate root growth.
- To understand RAM maintenance, function, and the cellular/genetic basis of these processes.
- To analyze the role of the quiescent center in RAM maintenance and exhaustion.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on plant root development.
- Analysis of cellular and genetic factors influencing meristem activity.
- Discussion of stem cell and stem cell niche concepts in the context of root growth.
Main Results:
- Determinate root growth involves the eventual exhaustion of the RAM, leading to cell differentiation.
- Two types of determinate growth are identified: constitutive (natural development) and non-constitutive (environmentally induced).
- Determinate growth comprises an indeterminate phase of cell production followed by a termination phase where production ceases.
Conclusions:
- The review examines how the RAM is maintained and functions, including the role of the quiescent center.
- It remains unclear if all roots are truly determinate, with RAM exhaustion preceding senescence.
- Understanding stem cell dynamics offers insights into meristem maintenance across diverse plant taxa.
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