@article{fdi:010095904,
  title = {{R}hizosheath formation is positively correlated with retention of water in the rhizosphere and water deficit stress tolerance in pearl millet},
  author = {{D}iouf, {M}. {N}. and {N}akombo-{G}bassault, {P}. and {S}an{\'e}, {Y}. and {N}dour, {P}. {M}. {S}. and {G}rondin, {A}lexandre and {A}ssigbets{\'e}, {K}omi and {G}angashetty, {P}. {I}. and {V}igouroux, {Y}ves and {H}eulin, {T}. and {L}aplaze, {L}aurent and {D}iedhiou, {A}. {G}. and {C}ournac, {L}aurent},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{P}lants have evolved adaptive strategies to enhance hydromineral uptake, with rhizosheath formation emerging as a key mechanism improving water deficit tolerance. {I}n pearl millet ({C}enchrus americanus syn {P}ennisetum glaucum), intraspecific genetic diversity exists in rhizosheath formation and root traits, differences in rhizosheath size correlating with shifts in rhizosphere bacterial composition and diversity. {H}owever, the role of rhizosheath size in pearl millet response to abiotic stresses remains unclear. {D}etermining whether rhizosheath size improves drought tolerance would help identifying root-soil interactions characteristics that enhance pearl millet resilience. {T}o investigate this, we conducted a study using four pairs of closely pearl millet lines contrasting in rhizosheath size. {P}lants were grown in an arenosol under greenhouse conditions. {A}fter three weeks of irrigation, they were subjected to two water stress regimes (partial and severe deficit) for two weeks, alongside a well-watered control. {U}nder water stress, rhizosheath mass was positively correlated with soil moisture, plant biomass, leaf water potential ({P}si l), and several root traits (length, diameter, area, volume; p < 0.001). {U}nder moderate water stress, high-rhizosheath lines ({HRL}) maintained higher {P}si l (-2.07 {MP}a vs. -2.63 {MP}a) and exhibited less shoot biomass reduction (14 % vs. 25 %) than low-rhizosheath lines ({LRL}). {U}nder severe stress, {HRL} showed greater resilience, with a smaller root biomass reduction (54 % vs. 71 %). {T}hese results suggest that lines with more developed rhizosheath tend to maintain root system development and sustain plant growth under moderate water deficit, likely by improving rhizosphere water retention. {O}ur work supports incorporating rhizosheath traits in pearl millet breeding programs to enhance drought tolerance.},
  keywords = {{D}rought stress ; {R}hizosphere moisture retention ; {R}oot system traits ; {M}illet breeding},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{S}cientific {A}frican},
  volume = {30},
  numero = {},
  pages = {e03103 [14 ]},
  ISSN = {2468-2276},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03103},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095904},
}