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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

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Large root cortical cell size improves drought tolerance in maize.

Joseph G Chimungu1, Kathleen M Brown1, Jonathan P Lynch2

  • 1Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802.

Plant Physiology
|October 9, 2014
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Large cortical cell size (CCS) in maize enhances drought tolerance by reducing root metabolic costs. This leads to deeper root systems, improved water uptake, and increased crop yield under water-stressed conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant Science
  • Agronomy
  • Crop Physiology

Background:

  • Drought stress significantly impacts crop yield globally.
  • Improving crop water use efficiency is crucial for food security.
  • Cortical cell size (CCS) in maize roots is a potential, under-explored trait for enhancing stress tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that larger cortical cell size (CCS) improves drought tolerance in maize.
  • To determine if reduced root metabolic costs mediate the effect of CCS on drought tolerance.
  • To assess the impact of CCS on root architecture, water relations, and yield under water-limited conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Maize (Zea mays) lines with contrasting root CCS were evaluated under well-watered and water-stressed conditions.
  • Experiments were conducted in controlled greenhouse mesocosms and field trials in the US and Malawi.
  • Measurements included root respiration, rooting depth, stomatal conductance, leaf CO2 assimilation, water content, biomass, and yield.

Main Results:

  • Larger CCS significantly reduced root respiration per unit length.
  • Under water stress, large CCS lines exhibited deeper rooting (21-41%) and enhanced water capture (lighter stem water isotope signature).
  • Large CCS correlated with improved physiological function (stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation, leaf relative water content) and significantly greater shoot biomass (34-145%) and yield (99-145%) under drought.

Conclusions:

  • Large CCS in maize is a viable trait for enhancing drought tolerance.
  • The mechanism involves reduced root metabolic costs, facilitating deeper soil exploration and greater water acquisition.
  • CCS represents a promising breeding target for developing climate-resilient maize varieties and potentially other cereal crops.