Zhang et al. (2026) Root system architecture remodeling under oxygen-mediated subsurface drip irrigation: a mechanistic hypothesis framework linking multiphase mass transfer to root foraging decisions

Identification

• Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-14
• Authors: Yijie Zhang, Yongmei Zhao, Yulan Mo, Zhitao Zhang, Wen Ren, Lingqiong Kong
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1951701

Research Groups

• College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
• College of Water Conservancy, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China

Short Summary

This review proposes an oxygen-mediated root foraging cost framework as a working mechanism hypothesis to link multiphase mass transfer to root system architecture (RSA) remodeling under subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). The framework treats oxygen not as a growth-promoting factor per se, but as a candidate regulatory variable that may modulate the metabolic cost of root resource acquisition.

Objective

• Investigate how aerated SDI influences RSA plasticity primarily by reducing the metabolic cost of root foraging rather than promoting growth directly.
• Examine the causal link between engineering oxygen inputs and root architectural responses under localized SDI conditions.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field-scale experiments to resolve oxygen dynamics, architectural responses, and confounding variables.
• Temporal Scale: Long-term field evidence is available for oxygated cotton in a heavy-clay Vertosol over seven seasons.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT) as a working mechanism hypothesis to link multiphase mass transfer to RSA remodeling.
• Data sources: Field studies, numerical simulations, and meta-analyses of research articles and reviews indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

Main Results

• Aerated SDI can alleviate root-zone oxygen limitation in the field, although the yield response varies with soil texture, crop species, and irrigation management.
• The migration, retention, dissolution, and root response chain of MNBW in unsaturated pores still requires quantitative analysis.

Contributions

• This review provides a mechanistic understanding of the influence of engineered gas–liquid inputs on RSA remodeling under SDI conditions.
• It proposes an oxygen-mediated root foraging cost framework as a working mechanism hypothesis to link multiphase mass transfer to RSA remodeling.

Funding

• No specific funding information is provided in the paper.

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Root,
  author = {Zhang, Yijie and Zhao, Yongmei and Mo, Yulan and Zhang, Zhitao and Ren, Wen and Kong, Lingqiong},
  title = {Root system architecture remodeling under oxygen-mediated subsurface drip irrigation: a mechanistic hypothesis framework linking multiphase mass transfer to root foraging decisions},
  journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1951701},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1951701}
}