Tillage-induced differences in the growth and distribution of wheat-roots

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
JA Mead
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Direct Drilling

Root growth and distribution of wheat under different tillage practices was studied in a 4-year-old tillage experimental site at Cowra, N.S.W. Tillage affected root density as well as distribution. Up to 98 days after sowing, root length density was lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.05-0.10 m layer of the direct-drilled soil than the conventionally cultivated soil. Poor root growth found in direct-drilled soils, which was significantly related to the poor shoot growth, was not caused by soil physical conditions, viz. higher bulk density and soil strength. Rather, biological factors were involved because fumigation completely eliminated the poor shoot growth and significantly increased root length density of the direct drilled soils. Compared to a compaction treatment, roots grown under direct drilling, in addition to having lower density, also had impaired function. Under conventional cultivation, significantly lower root length density was found in the surface soil layer (0-0.05 m) and maximum root length density was found in the 0-05-0.10 m layer. Fumigation did not change the root distribution pattern. This tillage-induced difference in root distribution reflected less favourable surface soil conditions as a result of cultivation, e.g. seedbed slumping, compared to the soil under direct drilling.

Root characteristics of vigorous wheat improve early nitrogen uptake

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingtan Liao ◽  
Jairo A. Palta ◽  
Ian R. P. Fillery
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Mapping Technique ◽  
Genotypic Differences ◽  
Root Characteristics

Root growth is important for the acquisition of nitrogen (N) and water in deep sandy soil profiles with high leaching potential. Root growth characteristics and the N uptake of wheat genotypes differing in early vigour were investigated in 2 glasshouse experiments. In both experiments the vigorous breeding lines Vigor18 and B18 and the well-adapted commercial cultivar Janz were grown in glass-walled growth boxes in a controlled-temperature glasshouse up to the onset of stem elongation. In Expt 1, rooting parameters and detailed measurements of root growth and proliferation were made at 2-day intervals using a root mapping technique. In Expt 2 the glass-walled growth boxes were segmented into upper (0–0.2 m), middle (0.2–0.7 m), and bottom (0.7–1.0 m) soil layers, and the contribution of N fertiliser uptake by roots from each soil layer to the total plant N uptake was determined by applying 15N-urea to a single soil layer each time. The accumulated total root length across the soil profile from the 1-leaf stage to the onset of stem elongation was 33–83% higher in the vigorous lines Vigor18 and B18 than in Janz. The roots of the 3 genotypes grew vertically down the soil profile at a similar rate, but the roots of vigorous lines branched earlier and grew horizontally faster and more extensively than those of cv. Janz, resulting in a greater root-length density and root number in the top 0.7-m soil layer. Uptake of N fertiliser by roots in the upper 0–0.2 m of the soil profile was 60–68% higher in the vigorous lines than in Janz. Roots of the vigorous lines located in the segment 0.2–0.7 m of the soil profile captured twice as much N fertiliser than those of Janz. Uptake of N fertiliser by roots in the lower 0.7–1.0 m of the soil profile was similar in the vigorous lines and Janz. This indicates that the early and more extensive horizontal growth of the roots in the 0.2–0.7 m of the soil profile was responsible for the superior uptake of N by the vigorous lines. The implications of these genotypic differences in root growth and proliferation and their relationship with the early acquisition of N are discussed with emphasis on their role in improving the efficiency of N fertiliser uptake and reducing nitrate leaching, particularly in the sandy soils of the Mediterranean climatic region of Australia.

Root Response to Water Stress in Rainfed Lowland Rice

1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Thangaraj ◽  
J. C. O'Toole ◽  
S. K. De Datta
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Sprinkler Irrigation ◽  
Mechanical Impedance ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Soil Drying ◽  
Rainfed Lowland ◽  
Response To Water

SUMMARYThe relation between soil mechanical impedance as a result of soil drying, and root system growth (mass and length density) of rice was investigated in greenhouse and field studies. In a greenhouse experiment, soil drying for 16 days increased mechanical impedance in the 0–20 cm soil layer from near 0 to 2.5 MPa, and decreased root growth by 47% compared to the continuously flooded control. Root length density decreased with decreasing soil moisture and increasing soil mechanical impedance. In a lowland field experiment using a sprinkler irrigation gradient treatment for 19 days during the vegetative growth stage, soil mechanical impedance as low as 0.01 MPa inhibited root growth while values greater than 0.3–0.5 MPa decreased root growth and extension by 75%. The relative loss of potential root growth was continued after reflooding. Root length density, measured at flowering, was linearly related to yield.

scholarly journals 298 Root Restriction and Fertilizer Effects on Young Peach Trees

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 494A-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Daw ◽  
T.J. Tworkoski ◽  
D.M. Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Specific Root Length ◽  
Nonwoven Fabric ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Root Volume ◽  
Peach Trees

Shoot growth of peach trees can be managed by manipulating edaphic conditions such as root volume and soil fertility. In this experiment, 2-year-old peach trees (Prunus persica L. cv. Sentry on `Lovell' rootstock) were planted in pots with a split root design, so that half the roots were not treated and the other half received one of four treatments: root volume restricted with polypropylene nonwoven fabric (FAB), fertilizer alone (FER), FAB + FER, and untreated control (UTC). Total shoot growth and root growth were measured, and root growth in the split halves was compared. FER increased leaf number and weight by 48% and 60%, respectively, but not stem growth. Leaf nitrogen concentration and photosynthesis were greatest in FER treatment. FAB did not affect shoot weight or reduce total root weight or length, although roots did not grow past the fabric barrier. FER increased root weight and length (116% and 57%, respectively, compared to UTC) on the treated half but did not affect root growth on the untreated half. Greatest root growth occurred in the root half that received FAB + FER, particularly in the 5-cm soil segment proximal to the fabric (4.6 cm•cm-3 compared to 0.8 cm.cm-3 in UTC). Shoot length was greater in FAB + FER than FAB. Thus, fertilizer applied near fabric increased root growth and the combination of fertilizer and fabric may be used to regulate shoot growth. Specific root length (root length per gram dry weight) was highest in trees with no treatment, suggesting root acclimation to low nutrient soil conditions. Lower specific root length resulted in soils that were fertilized. The results indicate that nonwoven fabric restricts root growth in peach trees and reduces shoot elongation. The combined effect of fabric plus selected application of fertilizer may be used to regulate growth of peach trees.

Effect of variety, irrigation regime and planting date on depth, rate, duration and density of root growth in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) crop

2001 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. STALHAM ◽  
E. J. ALLEN
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Irrigation Regime ◽  
Root Extension ◽  
Short Period

Experiments were conducted over the period 1987–94 at Cambridge University Farm and two other sites to examine the effect of various husbandry factors, particularly variety and irrigation regime, on rate, depth and density of rooting in potatoes. Maximum rooting depth ranged from 59 to 140 cm, indicating that potatoes can root to considerable depths and thereby have access to large volumes of water to satisfy the potential demand for water created by the atmospheric conditions and the size of the canopy. Root extension vertically through the soil profile was best described as a three-phase process: an initial rapid period lasting 3–5 weeks with growth rates c. 1·2 cm/day, a second period of slower growth (c. 0·8 cm/day), followed by cessation of root extension for the rest of the life of the crop. Variety had a major influence on the ultimate depth of rooting, primarily owing to variations in the length of the different periods of rooting rather than the rate in each period. It was observed that changes in the rate, or the cessation of root penetration were always preceded 4–9 days earlier by a change in the rate, or cessation, of leaf appearance. This feature should make it possible to characterize the duration of rooting of varieties through measurement of leaf emergence. Varieties which ceased leaf production early, such as Atlantic, were found to have a duration of root growth of c. 60 days, with Cara rooting for c. 30 days longer. Maximal total root length (TRL) and root length density (RLD) in the experiments reported were 16·9 km/m2 and 5·5 cm/cm3, respectively, similar to those found previously in potatoes and crops such as sugar beet, but considerably greater than many other vegetables. Rooting density decreased with depth, but the root systems were not as surface-oriented as many other studies have shown. When TRL was close to its maximum, the vertical distribution of RLD showed that between 40 and 73% was confined to the upper 30 cm, with irrigated crops possessing a greater proportion of their roots in the plough layer. Despite being planted in rows 70–91 cm apart, rooting systems were homogeneously distributed in a horizontal direction by c. 35 days after emergence, at which time the roots had reached a depth of c. 50 cm. Therefore, apart from a short period after emergence, the potato crop is capable of accessing considerable volumes of soil from which to extract water and nutrients. Ensuring that soil conditions are conducive to maximal rates of root growth should be the target for growers, since this will lead to a more efficient use of soil water and irrigation.

scholarly journals Root Response to Soil Water Status via Interaction of Crop Genotype and Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 708
Author(s):  
Phanthasin Khanthavong ◽  
Shin Yabuta ◽  
Hidetoshi Asai ◽  
Md. Amzad Hossain ◽  
Isao Akagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Crop Adaptation ◽  
Soil Moisture Status ◽  
Root Distributions

Flooding and drought are major causes of reductions in crop productivity. Root distribution indicates crop adaptation to water stress. Therefore, we aimed to identify crop roots response based on root distribution under various soil conditions. The root distribution of four crops—maize, millet, sorghum, and rice—was evaluated under continuous soil waterlogging (CSW), moderate soil moisture (MSM), and gradual soil drying (GSD) conditions. Roots extended largely to the shallow soil layer in CSW and grew longer to the deeper soil layer in GSD in maize and sorghum. GSD tended to promote the root and shoot biomass across soil moisture status regardless of the crop species. The change of specific root density in rice and millet was small compared with maize and sorghum between different soil moisture statuses. Crop response in shoot and root biomass to various soil moisture status was highest in maize and lowest in rice among the tested crops as per the regression coefficient. Thus, we describe different root distributions associated with crop plasticity, which signify root spread changes, depending on soil water conditions in different crop genotypes as well as root distributions that vary depending on crop adaptation from anaerobic to aerobic conditions.

scholarly journals Root and Shoot Growth Periodicity of Green Ash, Scarlet Oak, Turkish Hazelnut, and Tree Lilac

1995 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Roger Harris ◽  
Nina L. Bassuk ◽  
Richard W. Zobel ◽  
Thomas H. Whitlow
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Lateral Roots ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Extension Rate ◽  
Green Ash ◽  
Growth Measurement ◽  
Root And Shoot Growth ◽  
Growth Periodicity

The objectives of this study were to determine root and shoot growth periodicity for established Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. (green ash), Quercus coccinea Muenchh. (scarlet oak), Corylus colurna L. (Turkish hazelnut), and Syringa reticulata (Blume) Hara `Ivory Silk' (tree lilac) trees and to evaluate three methods of root growth periodicity measurement. Two methods were evaluated using a rhizotron. One method measured the extension rate (RE) ofindividual roots, and the second method measured change in root length (RL) against an observation grid. A third method, using periodic counts of new roots present on minirhizotrons (MR), was also evaluated. RE showed the least variability among individual trees. Shoot growth began before or simultaneously with the beginning of root growth for all species with all root growth measurement methods. All species had concurrent shoot and root growth, and no distinct alternating growth patterns were evident when root growth was measured by RE. Alternating root and shoot growth was evident, however, when root growth was measured by RL and MR. RE measured extension rate of larger diameter lateral roots, RL measured increase in root length of all diameter lateral roots and MR measured new root count of all sizes of lateral and vertical roots. Root growth periodicity patterns differed with the measurement method and the types of roots measured.

scholarly journals Pre-Sowing Irrigation Plus Surface Fertilization Improves Morpho-Physiological Traits and Sustaining Water-Nitrogen Productivity of Cotton

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 772
Author(s):  
Zongkui Chen ◽  
Hongyun Gao ◽  
Fei Hou ◽  
Aziz Khan ◽  
Honghai Luo
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Reductase ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Nitrate Reductase Activity ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Nitrogen Productivity

The changing climatic conditions are causing erratic rains and frequent episodes of moisture stress; these impose a great challenge to cotton productivity by negatively affecting plant physiological, biochemical and molecular processes. This situation requires an efficient management of water-nutrient to achieve optimal crop production. Wise use of water-nutrient in cotton production and improved water use-efficiency may help to produce more crop per drop. We hypothesized that the application of nitrogen into deep soil layers can improve water-nitrogen productivity by promoting root growth and functional attributes of cotton crop. To test this hypothesis, a two-year pot experiment under field conditions was conducted to explore the effects of two irrigation levels (i.e., pre-sowing irrigation (W80) and no pre-sowing irrigation (W0)) combined with different fertilization methods (i.e., surface application (F10) and deep application (F30)) on soil water content, soil available nitrogen, roots morpho-physiological attributes, dry mass and water-nitrogen productivity of cotton. W80 treatment increased root length by 3.1%–17.5% in the 0–40 cm soil layer compared with W0. W80 had 11.3%–52.9% higher root nitrate reductase activity in the 10–30 cm soil layer and 18.8%–67.9% in the 60–80 cm soil layer compared with W0. The W80F10 resulted in 4.3%–44.1% greater root nitrate reductase activity compared with other treatments in the 0–30 cm soil layer at 54–84 days after emergence. Water-nitrogen productivity was positively associated with dry mass, water consumption, root length and root nitrate reductase activity. Our data highlighted that pre-sowing irrigation coupled with basal surface fertilization is a promising option in terms of improved cotton root growth. Functioning in the surface soil profile led to a higher reproductive organ biomass production and water-nitrogen productivity.

Root depth of native and sown perennial grass-based pastures, North-West Slopes, New South Wales. 1. Estimates from cores and effects of grazing treatments

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
S. R. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Root Length ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Volume Density ◽  
Root Mass ◽  
Root Depth ◽  
Root Volume ◽  
Native Pasture

Studies were undertaken on native and sown perennial grass-based pastures as part of the Sustainable Grazing Systems National Experiment to estimate root depth and describe root distribution in these pastures. Samples from soil cores (0–210 cm maximum sampling depth) taken in 1997 (before grazing treatments were imposed) and 4 years later in spring 2001 were used to examine the effects of different grazing regimes on root length density (cm/cm3), root mass density (mg/cm3), root volume density (cm3/cm3), and diameter (mm) at each of 3 sites. In spring 1997, mean maximum root depth was 107 cm for a native perennial grass pasture near Barraba and 74 cm for a pasture sown with phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) near Nundle, with values being lower for a native pasture near Manilla (65 cm for a Brown Vertosol and 97 cm for a Red Chromosol). For all pasture types, >20% of root mass density, root length density or root volume density was in the 0–5 cm soil layer and >60% was at a depth of 0–30 cm. At all sites, mean total root mass was around 1000 kg DM/ha. After 4 years of grazing (spring 2001) there were relatively few significant effects of grazing treatment on root length density, root mass density, root volume density, or root diameter. Effects that were significant mostly occurred at 0–5 cm for the native pastures and 0–50 cm for the sown pasture. For the Barraba native pasture, root length, volume and mass densities (0–5 cm) were higher (P<0.05) in the continuously grazed, low stocking rate treatment compared with all other treatments. Similarly, for the Manilla native pasture, root length density was higher (P<0.05) in this treatment at soil depths of 0–5 and >5–10 cm compared with all other treatments. In contrast, for the Nundle sown pasture, root length density (0–5 cm) was lowest (P<0.05) in 2 continuously grazed treatments compared with those that were strategically grazed in autumn and spring.

Poor Early Growth of Wheat Under Direct Drilling

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 791 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
JA Mead ◽  
WP Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Growth Difference ◽  
Physical Measurements ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Direct Drilling ◽  
Chemical Fallow

Poor early growth of wheat under direct drilling on a hardsetting duplex soil was studied in the light of a range of soil physical and biological properties. Two systems of direct drilling were included in the study: one with a short fallow maintained by herbicide (chemical fallow), and another in which a fallow period was absent and herbicide was applied 1 week before sowing (nil fallow). Plant measurements indicated that the poor early growth observed under both direct drilled systems, as compared to that under conventional cultivation, was not due to poor germination or poor emergence. Rather, it was shown to be a consequence of reduced growth after establishment. Weight per plant measured 64 days after sowing for the conventional, chemical and nil fallow treatments was found to be in the ratio of 3.2: 1.8 : 1.0, respectively. Soil physical measurements during the 9 weeks from sowing indicated that moisture availability was unlikely to be an important factor affecting the observed growth difference for the particular season. Much higher bulk density (1.66 versus 1.35 Mg/m3 at 50-100 mm) and vane shear strength values were found in the undisturbed soil between the drill rows in the top 100 mm of the two direct drilled treatments. Vane shear strength measured in the top 50 mm layer of the direct drilled plots was up to 2.9 times higher between the drill rows than in the drill rows. The poor vegetative growth on the chemical fallow plots was probably caused by restricted root growth in the denser and stronger 0-100 mm depth of undisturbed soil. The poor early vegetative and root growth of wheat in the nil fallow could not be fully explained by the soil physical properties, but indicated the presence of other root inhibitory factors. Our results suggest that one such factor is the presence of inhibitory Eacteria on the roots.

Effects of direct drilling on soil conditions and root growth

1975 ◽  
Vol 8 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Scott Russell ◽  
R Q Cannell ◽  
M J Goss
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Pore Size Distribution ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Root System ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Organic Debris ◽  
Direct Drilling

Direct drilling affects the pore size distribution in the soil, the distribution of organic debris on and within the soil, and the soil structure. These changes in turn affect the development of the root system of the crop, with consequential changes on its nutrient supply and early growth.

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