In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have successfully created a portable microfluidic system designed to simulate soil-like conditions, revealing that optimising nutrient flow can significantly enhance root growth and nitrogen absorption, ultimately leading to improved crop yields.
This innovative research, spearheaded by Prof. Pranab Kumar Mondal from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, explores the dynamics of how the primary root, which emerges from a seed, absorbs essential nutrients.
The study has profound implications for crop management and agricultural productivity, providing critical insights into how nutrient delivery systems can be optimised for better outcomes.
Supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB/ANRF), Government of India, the team’s findings have been published in the prestigious journal Lab on a Chip, by The Royal Society of Chemistry.
The research paper, co-authored by Kaushal Agarwal, Dr. Sumit Kumar Mehta, and Prof. Mondal, is set to feature as cover art in the upcoming issue of the journal, highlighting the significance of their work.
The primary root is crucial for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients. During its early growth phase, it navigates diverse soil conditions, making this period vital for the plant’s survival.
Factors such as nutrient supply, pH, soil composition, aeration, and temperature greatly influence root development.
Traditional experimental setups aimed at studying root dynamics have often been hampered by the need for large containers and complex handling procedures.
Microfluidics, the study of fluid flow in micrometre-sized structures, has revolutionised cell research, enabling precise control and analysis of fluid dynamics at small scales.
While existing microdevices have focused largely on root-bacteria interactions, hormonal signalling, and pollen tube growth, the real-time dynamics of plant roots, especially regarding the effects of nutrient flow and mechanical stimuli on root development, have remained largely unexplored.
In this study, the research team selected the high-yielding mustard variety, Pusa Jai Kisan, recognised for its effective micrometre-range root diameter.
They examined how varying nutrient flow conditions affected root growth and nitrogen uptake during the critical post-germination phase.
Prof. Mondal expressed optimism regarding the implications of their research, stating, “Our study provides new insights into plant root dynamics through the use of microfluidic devices. We validated our setup’s design and findings by simulating nutrient flow, measuring nitrogen uptake, and analysing the effects of nutrient uptake and fluid pressure on root cells.”
The study revealed that an optimal nutrient flow rate could enhance both root length and nitrogen uptake; however, excessive flow-induced stress was found to reduce root length.
Notably, roots subjected to nutrient flow conditions performed better in nitrogen absorption compared to those in static conditions, highlighting the advantages of a well-managed nutrient flow for promoting overall plant growth.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to delve deeper into the molecular mechanisms underpinning flow-induced changes in root growth.
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of these cellular and molecular processes could pave the way for the development of more resilient hydroponic systems and advance soil-less agriculture, further addressing the challenges of food production in the face of a growing global population.
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