Regulation of maize root growth by nitrogen nutrition

Response of root system architecture to nutrient availability in soils is an essential way for plants to adapt to soil environments. Nitrogen can affect root development either as a result of changes in the external concentration, or through changes in the internal nutrient status of the plant. On one hand, low soil N stimulate root elongation. On the other hand, localized nitrate stimulate lateral root elongation. Nevertheless, less is known about the physiological mechanisms. Based mainly on our work, the physiological mechanism underlined the response of maize roots to uniform or localized N supplies were reviewed. It was suggested that plant hormones auxin and cytokinin are involved in the regulation of nitrogen nutrition on maize root growth.