Root morpho-physiological plasticity in sea beet populations along the adriatic sea

Root structure and function are critical to maintaining the growth and development of the plants in different soil conditions and their plasticity could have an important role on the ecological tolerance of individuals and hence the field distribution of species. In this respect, a comparative study of the root morpho-physiology plasticity of different sea beet populations derived from -poor and nutrient–rich habitats of the North Adriatic coast of Italy is reported. The genetic variation of the sea beet populations was analyzed by AFLP. In order to evaluate the root plasticity pattern, we measured several root morpho-physiology parameters of the seedlings exposed to low and optimal nutrient conditions. AFLP analysis showed a wide genetic variation of the sea beet population. At low nutrient supply, individuals from nutrient-poor habitats display a higher 1) primary and total root length and surface area, 2) sulphate uptake rate and 3) glucose and fructose concentration in the root tip than plants from nutrient-rich habitats. These results indicated an higher root morpho-physiology plasticity of the plants from -poor than nutrient–rich habitats and, hence, the former plants could be better able to capture the nutrients from low fertility soils.