Weed-induced changes in sunflower root transcriptome.. Helianthus annuus

This study was designed to examine the impact of above- and below-ground signals by which weeds (in this case winter canola) on sunflower growth, development, and physiology. Specifically, sunflowers were grown in pots with or without 4 additional canola plants. These plants were either grown inside conetainers which prevented any root-to-root contact between the sunflower and the canola. Additionally the sunflowers were also grown with or without an above-ground barrier (an opaque cone about 60 cm in diameter and about 70 cm tall) that prevented any light quality signal generated by the canola from impacting the sunflower growth and development. Also the plants were grown with or without activated charcoal in the soil to intercept (or not) any organic root-produced signals.

本研究旨在探究杂草（本研究中为冬油菜）通过地上与地下信号对向日葵生长、发育及生理特性的影响。具体而言，研究将向日葵种植于盆栽中，设置“搭配4株额外冬油菜”与“不搭配冬油菜”两组对照处理。其中，搭配油菜的盆栽部分置于控根育苗钵（conetainers）内栽培，以阻断向日葵与油菜间的根系直接接触。此外，研究还设置了地上光信号阻隔处理：搭建直径约60厘米、高约70厘米的不透明圆锥体，以拦截油菜产生的光质信号，避免其干扰向日葵的生长与发育。同时，部分盆栽的土壤中添加活性炭，以选择性拦截（或不拦截）根系分泌的有机信号物质。