Abstract

Formation and characterization of special root hairs on wheat nodal roots were studied under conditions of the field experiments. The results showed that special root hairs formed around the basal portion of a nodal root in the arable layer of soil after jointing stage, and that distribution of special root hairs on a nodal root could be divided into concentrated, moderate, and sparse segment. Occurring density, length and diameter of the special root hair on the concentrated segments were greater or more than those on either the moderate or the sparse segments. Difference both in length and density between different root segments was extremely negative significant (P<0.01). Occurring density, length and diameter of the special root hair decreased with advance in growing period. All of the results from this study indicated that the special root hairs are real root hairs and functional.

Key words: Triticum aestivum L., nodal root, special root hair, formation, characterization.