Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have pioneered a cost-effective, portable microfluidic system that simulates soil-like conditions. This innovation has revealed that optimising nutrient flow can significantly enhance root growth and nitrogen absorption, thereby boosting crop yields.
The research, led by Prof. Pranab Kumar Mondal from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, explores how the primary root emerging from a seed absorbs nutrients. This study utilised microfluidic technology to analyse root behaviour, providing valuable insights for improving crop management and agricultural output by optimising nutrient delivery systems. The project received support from 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 paper, co-authored by Kaushal Agarwal, Dr. Sumit Kumar Mehta, and Prof. Pranab Kumar Mondal, will also feature as cover art in the journal’s upcoming issue.
The primary root is vital for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients. It must navigate diverse soil conditions during its early growth phase, a critical period for plant survival. Factors such as nutrient supply, pH, soil composition, aeration, and temperature significantly affect root development. Traditional experimental setups for studying root dynamics often face limitations due to the need for large containers and complex handling processes.
Microfluidics, which involves the study of fluid flow in micrometre-sized structures, has transformed cell study research by allowing precise control and analysis of fluid dynamics at small scales. While existing microdevices have predominantly focused on root-bacteria interactions, hormonal signalling, and pollen tube growth, the real-time dynamics of plant roots, particularly the impact of nutrient flow and mechanical stimuli on root development, remain underexplored.
Prof. Mondal’s team chose the high-yielding mustard variety, Pusa Jai Kisan, known for its effective micrometre-range root diameter, to examine how varying nutrient flow conditions affect root growth and nitrogen uptake during the crucial post-germination phase.
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Discussing the research, Prof. Mondal stated, “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. This research enhances our understanding of how mechanical stimuli and nutrient uptake interact, with practical implications for agriculture.”
The study revealed that an optimal nutrient flow rate enhances root length and nitrogen uptake, though excessive flow-induced stress can reduce root length. Roots exposed to nutrient flow conditions demonstrated better performance than those in no-flow conditions due to superior nitrogen absorption. These findings suggest that well-managed nutrient flow can induce significant morphological changes in roots, promoting overall plant growth.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind flow-induced changes in root growth. Understanding these cellular and molecular processes could facilitate the development of more resilient hydroponic systems and advance soil-less agriculture.
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