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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

A Simple Chamber for Long-term Confocal Imaging of Root and Hypocotyl Development

A Simple Chamber for Long-term Confocal Imaging of Root and Hypocotyl Development

Published on: May 17, 2017

Patterns of root growth acclimation: constant processes, changing boundaries.

Tobias I Baskin¹

¹Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. baskin@bio.umass.edu

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Developmental Biology

|June 27, 2013

Summary

Plant roots acclimate by adjusting growth rates, primarily by altering the length of division and elongation zones, rather than changing cell division or expansion rates. This highlights meristem boundary regulation for root growth control.

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Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Developmental Biology
Root Morphogenesis

Background:

Plant morphogenesis exhibits plasticity, enabling organs to adjust growth rates for acclimation.
Root growth kinetics are measurable due to their organized structure and indeterminate growth.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe key kinematic concepts relevant to plant root growth.
To review patterns of cell division and growth during root acclimation.

Main Methods:

Utilizes kinematic methods to accurately measure root growth parameters.
Analyzes the relationship between cell division, elemental expansion, and zone lengths.

Main Results:

Root growth rate is determined by elemental expansion integrated over the growth zone length.
Acclimation primarily involves changes in the length of the elongation and division zones.
Changes in cell division rate are rare; meristem length alterations are common.

Conclusions:

Root growth acclimation is predominantly regulated by setting the boundaries of the meristem and elongation zones.
Understanding these zone dynamics is crucial for comprehending plant root development and adaptation.