Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Responses to Gravity and Touch

Responses to Gravity and Touch

Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Water plays a significant role in the life cycle of plants. However, insufficient or excess of water can be detrimental and pose a serious threat to plants.

Responses to Salt Stress

Responses to Salt Stress

Salt stress—which can be triggered by high salt concentrations in a plant’s environment—can significantly affect plant growth and crop production by influencing photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients.

The Soil Ecosystem

The Soil Ecosystem

Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Evolution of root systems in land plants.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same author

QTL qLDC5 regulates primary root branching in an auxin-dependant manner.

Journal of experimental botany·2026

Same author

Calcium-triggered apoplastic ROS bursts balance gravity and mechanical signals for soil navigation.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Unearthing Root Response Mechanisms to Soil Compaction in Legumes.

Plant, cell & environment·2026

Same author

Ethylene modulates cell wall mechanics for root responses to compaction.

Nature·2025

Same author

A dirigent protein redirects extracellular terpenoid metabolism for defense against biotic challenges.

Nature communications·2025

Same journal

Better breeding leveraging more biology.

Trends in plant science·2026

Same journal

Women in plant science around the world.

Trends in plant science·2026

Same journal

Bilateral symmetry genes: If they exist, how would we know?

Trends in plant science·2026

Same journal

From xylem atlases to developmental continuity in forestry.

Trends in plant science·2026

Same journal

Small peptides guard the gate of plant immunity.

Trends in plant science·2026

Same journal

Phosphorylation blues: Cracking the phototropin phosphocode.

Trends in plant science·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

In Situ Soil Moisture Sensors in Undisturbed Soils

In Situ Soil Moisture Sensors in Undisturbed Soils

Published on: November 18, 2022

Soil compaction sensing mechanisms and root responses.

Lucas L Peralta Ogorek¹, Yiqun Gao¹, Edward Farrar¹

¹Plant and Crop Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK.

Trends in Plant Science

|November 19, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Soil compaction negatively impacts soil health and plant growth. Plant roots sense compaction through ethylene signaling, triggering adaptive responses to improve nutrient and water uptake.

Keywords:

gas diffusion hormones signaling mechanical stress mechanosensing root–soil interaction

More Related Videos

Manufacturing Simple and Inexpensive Soil Surface Temperature and Gravimetric Water Content Sensors

Manufacturing Simple and Inexpensive Soil Surface Temperature and Gravimetric Water Content Sensors

Published on: December 21, 2019

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2025

In Situ Soil Moisture Sensors in Undisturbed Soils

In Situ Soil Moisture Sensors in Undisturbed Soils

Published on: November 18, 2022

Manufacturing Simple and Inexpensive Soil Surface Temperature and Gravimetric Water Content Sensors

Manufacturing Simple and Inexpensive Soil Surface Temperature and Gravimetric Water Content Sensors

Published on: December 21, 2019

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Agricultural Science
Plant Biology
Soil Science

Background:

Soil compaction is a major agricultural challenge affecting soil properties.
It reduces water infiltration, gaseous exchange, and biological activity, hindering plant growth.
Compacted soils limit root foraging for essential nutrients and water.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the detrimental effects of soil compaction on soil properties.
To explore the mechanisms of plant root sensing and response to soil compaction.
To highlight the role of ethylene in mediating root adaptation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing research on soil compaction.
Analysis of cellular and organ-level responses of plants to compacted soils.
Examination of signaling pathways involved in root adaptation.

Main Results:

Soil compaction alters soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.
Plant roots detect compaction via increased ethylene levels at root tips.
Ethylene, auxin, and abscisic acid act as key signals for root adaptation.

Conclusions:

Understanding root responses to soil compaction is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
Ethylene-mediated signaling provides insights into plant adaptation strategies.
Further research can lead to developing strategies to mitigate compaction effects.