Low temperature limits for root growth in alpine species are set by cell differentiation

Nagelmüller, Sebastian ; Hiltbrunner, Erika ; Körner, Christian ; Volder, Astrid

In: AoB PLANTS, 2017, vol. 9, no. 6, p. -

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    Summary
    This paper explores the causes of plant growth cessation at critically low temperatures in arctic-alpine environments. We grew four alpine plant species in thermostated soil cylinders in the field in the Swiss Alps, monitored root growth and studied root tip anatomy. Roots stopped growing at temperatures between 0.8 and 1.4 {degree sign}C. Microscopic examinations of root tips revealed that rates of cell elongation and differentiation control length growth. Xylem lignification appears to be a co-limiting factor at growth-limiting low temperatures.