Root growth dynamics of spring cereals with discontinuation of mouldboard ploughing

A vigorous root system is essential for efficient use of plant nutrients. This paper focuses on root growth and its response to tillage changes in the most fertile soil horizon, 0–40 cm depth. The field experiment was established in 1995 on clay soil, with 45–50% clay and 5.5% organic matter in the topsoil. Three tillage treatments were mouldboard plough to a depth of 20 cm (conventional), field cultivator to a depth of 8 cm, and no primary tillage (conservation). The field had an oat (Avena sativa L.)–barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop rotation. In 1997–1998 and 2000, root distribution during the growing season was evaluated by a non-destructive minirhizotron (MR) and video recording method. Root length density and root diameter were also measured once a season (1997 and 1998) by destructive root sampling and image analysis of washed roots. At shoot elongation, root numbers increased more under conventional than conservation tillage, at soil depth of 10–25 cm. The effect was clear for both barley (1997) and oat (2000) with maximum root numbers of 175 and 210 per 100 cm² by mouldboard ploughing, but 120 and 170 per 100 cm² under unploughed conditions (in the whole 0–0.4 m region). The suboptimal condition of unploughed soil was also indicated by lower shoot nutrient contents at tillering (studied in 1997) and by higher penetrometer resistance (studied in 1998, 2000) and lower macroporosity (studied in 2000) at 10–25 cm soil depth. Root growth dynamics were similar for both plant species. Root diameter was not significantly affected by the tillage treatments. Discontinuation of mouldboard ploughing reduced root growth (P<0.05) within this clay soil 5 years after the tillage change, although conservation tillage preserved more water for plant use. The data show that a clay soil can be too dense for optimal rooting during the 3rd–6th-years after discontinuation of ploughing.     

玉米生长后期的根系分布研究

为了研究玉米生长后期根系的生长发育规律,利用中国气象局固城农业气象试验站大型根剖面系统,采用微根管观测系统及方形整段标本法和地下根系室玻璃窗,对‘屯玉46号’玉米根系的生长状况进行了试验研究。结果表明:垂直方向上,方形整段标本法和微根管法测得的根长密度占整层总根长密度比例的变化趋势一致,相关系数分别为0.987和0.717,且两种方法在0~20 cm土层的根长密度比例均为最大。0~60 cm土层为玉米根系生长活跃区,方形整段标本法测得根长密度生长量为其余层的4倍。两种方法测得的根长密度无显著差异,相关系数为0.830,均匀性水平较好。玉米成熟期根系的水平幅度较乳熟期窄,下层根系仍处于生长中,垂直深度增加。玻璃窗与方形整段标本法观测的根深测定结果存在差异,这可能与观测环境条件不一致有关。     

Root development of winter wheat in erosion‐affected soils depending on the position in a hummocky ground moraine soil landscape

Agricultural soil landscapes of hummocky ground moraines are characterized by 3D spatial patterns of soil types that result from profile modifications due to the combined effect of water and tillage erosion. We hypothesize that crops reflect such soil landscape patterns by increased or reduced plant and root growth. Root development may depend on the thickness and vertical sequence of soil horizons as well as on the structural development state of these horizons at different landscape positions. The hypotheses were tested using field data of the root density (RD) and the root lengths (RL) of winter wheat using the minirhizotron technique. We compared data from plots at the CarboZALF‐D site (NE Germany) that are representing a non‐eroded reference soil profile (Albic Luvisol) at a plateau position, a strongly eroded profile at steep slope (Calcaric Regosol), and a depositional profile at the footslope (Anocolluvic Regosol). At each of these plots, three Plexiglas access tubes were installed down to approx. 1.5 m soil depth. Root measurements were carried out during the growing season of winter wheat (September 2014–August 2015) on six dates. The root length density (RLD) and the root biomass density were derived from RD values assuming a mean specific root length of 100 m g^?1. Values of RD and RLD were highest for the Anocolluvic Regosol and lowest for the Calcaric Regosol. The maximum root penetration depth was lower in the Anocolluvic Regosol because of a relatively high and fluctuating water table at this landscape position. Results revealed positive relations between below‐ground (root) and above‐ground crop parameters (i.e., leaf area index, plant height, biomass, and yield) for the three soil types. Observed root densities and root lengths in soils at the three landscape positions corroborated the hypothesis that the root system was reflecting erosion‐induced soil profile modifications. Soil landscape position dependent root growth should be considered when attempting to quantify landscape scale water and element balances as well as agricultural productivity.     

Barley roots are not constrained to large-sized biopores in the subsoil of a deep Haplic Luvisol

Using the profile wall method, we determined the root-length density (RLD) of barley roots growing in large-sized biopores (diameter >2 mm) and in the bulk soil of a Haplic Luvisol down to 200 cm of soil depth. The maximum bulk density in the soil profile (1.52 g?cm^?3) was recorded in the Bt horizon (41–115 cm of soil depth). The proportion of RLD in biopores over the total RLD increased with increasing soil depth down to the 45–75 or 75–105 cm of soil layer but then decreased again in deeper soil. In contrast to earlier investigations, the maximum percentage of RLD in biopores recorded in this study was only 25 %. Root sampling from individually dissected biopores confirmed that roots did not predominantly grow in biopores. Results suggest that roots can use biopores as preferred pathways for growth through rather compact soil layers, whereas they can possibly leave the biopore and re-enter the bulk soil in deeper, less compact layers.     

Root growth and phosphorus uptake in wide‐ and narrow‐row soybeans

Most of the research comparing the effect of different row spacing on seed yield in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has been focused on row spacing effects on aboveground crop characteristics such as leaf area, right interception, pod number, or biomass accumulation and their relationships with seed yield. Little work has been done on the effects of narrow‐row spacing on root distribution. Plant distribution may also affect root distribution and interroot competition, and therefore, exploration and use of soil resources. A field experiment was carried out on the Pampas (Argentina) to determine the effect of narrow‐row spacing on root distribution within the topsoil in soybean, and whether different root distributions affect phosphorus uptake. In December 1993, soybeans were planted at two row spacings, narrow rows (0.35 m) and wide rows (0.70 m). Root density was measured during seed filling (92 days after planting) at several points within the inter‐row space down to a soil depth of 30 cm. Aboveground biomass was harvested at maturity and phosphorus (P) uptake was measured. Below the row line, narrow‐row soybeans showed a greater root density than the wide row treatment at 5–10 cm depth, while roots of the wide‐row soybeans had more lateral growth. Root density at both sides of the row down to a depth of 5 cm was greater for the wide‐row treatment. Average root density for each depth for a section of 70 cm wide across the row line indicated there was no significant difference between treatments at any depth. The fewer number of rows for the wide‐row spacing was compensated by a greater lateral extension of roots within the interrow space. This compensation resulted in a similar root density at each depth for both planting patterns, narrow and wide rows. Aboveground biomass and phosphorus concentration in plant tissue at maturity were not affected by row spacing. A similar phosphorus uptake for both treatments was consistent with the lack of effect of the different plant distribution on soil exploration by roots and on aboveground biomass accumulation.     

Agricultural improvement of cultivated organic soils II. Effects of liming and deep cultivation on soil properties and root development

Abstract. The effect of liming and deep cultivation on soil properties and root development was investigated in two cultivated shallow fen peats resting on acid gyttja (lake mud) soils. Root growth was in general dependent on soil pH and aluminium content of the soil. A soil pH (H₂O) below 5 adversely affected roots and a pH below 4 severely restricted root growth. Liming of the topsoil or the subsoil and to some extent deep cultivation improved root growth. Increased rooting depth made it possible for plants to utilize soil water to a greater depth in the profile and to support a larger crop yield.     

Crop species differ in root plasticity response to localised P supply

The effect of localised phosphorus (P) fertiliser placement and in particular, deep P fertiliser placement, on the comparative root growth and P uptake of fibrous vs tap‐rooted crops is not known. In this study, we examined the root growth and P uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), and narrow‐leaf lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in a split‐root system and in columns with deep (19 cm) or shallow (5 cm) P fertiliser sources in glasshouse conditions. In the split‐root system, plants of all three species grown under heterogeneous soil P conditions absorbed more P and produced greater root and shoot biomass than those under homogeneous P supply. Root plasticity differed between species under heterogeneous soil P supply: canola and wheat allocated relatively more root biomass and root length to the high P zone than narrow‐leaf lupin. In the column experiment, there was no difference in the amount of P accumulated in shoots of any crops grown in the deep vs shallow P fertiliser treatments. Root proliferation occurred within the shallow and deep‐P fertiliser bands in all three species; however, root distribution above or below the bands did not differ between deep or shallow P fertiliser treatments in any species. Whilst root plasticity responses to heterogeneous soil P supply differed among species, root architecture (fibrous vs taproot) did not confer any advantage or disadvantage to the acquisition of P from deep vs shallow P fertiliser bands. Moreover, whilst roots proliferate in the vicinity of P fertiliser bands, root distribution outside of the bands appears to remain unaltered in both fibrous and tap‐rooted crops during early growth.     

辽西褐土区高产土壤理化性质及影响玉米产量的主要因子

  【目的】  土壤耕层结构与肥力水平是影响玉米生长及其产量的重要因素。厘清辽西褐土区不同产量玉米田的土壤结构与肥力水平及其与玉米产量之间的关系，进而提出土壤合理耕层构建的评价指标，最终为该地区玉米产量的提高提供理论基础。  【方法】  本研究在辽西褐土区选取不同产量玉米田共56块，将其分为产量 < 6000、6000～9000和 > 9000 kg/hm2 3个水平，分析调查土壤耕层与犁底层厚度、紧实度、容重、孔隙度、有机质、有效磷、速效钾、碱解氮含量和玉米根系生长状况。采用预测变量重要性分析方法明确影响玉米产量的主要因素，提出辽西褐土区玉米高产所需的土壤耕层结构与肥力特征。  【结果】  玉米产量随土壤耕层厚度增加而增加，随犁底层厚度增加而减小。不同产量玉米田的紧实度、容重和孔隙度在0—10 cm土层差异不大，而在10 cm—犁底层和犁底层差异较大，即产量 > 9000 kg/hm2玉米田的各项结构指标均优于产量 < 9000 kg/hm2玉米田。土壤有机质、有效磷、速效钾和碱解氮等肥力状况在产量 > 9000 kg/hm2玉米田同样优于产量 < 9000 kg/hm2玉米田。不同产量地块的玉米根系生长情况出现明显差异。产量> 9000 kg/hm2玉米田的根干重和根长均明显高于产量 < 9000 kg/hm2玉米田。分土层来看，所有玉米田的根系都主要分布在0—20 cm土层，产量 < 6000、6000～9000和 > 9000 kg/hm2玉米田在0—20 cm土层的根干重分别占0—40 cm总量的83.3%、79.8%和81.1%，根长分别占83.0%、74.6%和71.7%。这不但说明根系对水分和养分的吸收主要集中在0—20 cm土层，同时也表明产量 > 9000 kg/hm2玉米田在20—40 cm土层的根系分布仍然比产量 < 9000 kg/hm2玉米田要丰富。所有结构性质与肥力因素中，耕层厚度和有效磷含量是影响辽西玉米高产的最重要因素。  【结论】  辽西褐土区高产玉米田具有以下特征:耕层厚度18～26 cm，平均23 cm；紧实度低于1000 kPa；耕层土壤容重处于1.14～1.39 g/cm3，平均1.27 g/cm3；耕层土壤总孔隙度为47.4%～58.5%，平均52.2%，毛管孔隙度平均33.5%，通气孔隙度平均18.7%；耕层土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾平均含量分别为14.8 g/kg、34.7 mg/kg、21.2 mg/kg、159.9 mg/kg。提高土壤有效磷含量、增加耕层厚度是培肥中低产田最迫切的任务。     

膜下滴灌不同灌水定额对玉米根系生长的影响

玉米根系的分布特征受多种因素的制约,其中影响最大的有土壤水分和生育期阶段等,通过分析不同灌水处理条件下,不同生育期,土壤深度与根长密度和根重密度的关系,研究膜下滴灌玉米各生育期根系在不同灌水定额处理下的分布规律,利用大田代表植株挖根试验得到的实测数据进行根长密度和根重密度计算。结果表明:根长在表层土壤中,随着水分的胁迫减轻,呈现增大趋势,深层反之,而且最大根深出现在80 cm处,在大喇叭期,处理1在20 cm土层根长密度最小（77.27 mm/cm³）,处理9最大（143.31 mm/cm³）,在40 cm土层,处理8的根长密度最小（16.11 mm/cm³）,处理1最大（24.89 mm/cm³）。根重密度与根长密度的规律基本一致,水分胁迫能促进根系向下伸长,在玉米拔节期,处理1在20 cm以上土层根干重仅占总根干重的67.9%,而处理9在20 cm则达到了90.2%。随着生育期的推进,表层根重密度随灌水量增大而增大,在大喇叭期,处理1的根重密度为8.16×10^-4 g/cm³,处理7为2.358×10^-3 g/cm³ 。水分胁迫使得根系深扎吸取水分来补偿亏缺,并且根变得较细较小,这说明根系自身会做出水分适应性环境调整,以达到重要机制的平衡。     

Soil base saturation affects root growth of European beech seedlings§

To assess the potential effects of Al toxicity on the roots of young European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), seeds were sown in soil monoliths taken from the Ah and B horizons of forest soils with very low base saturation (BS) and placed in the greenhouse. The Ah horizons offered a larger supply of exchangeable cation nutrients than the B horizons. After 8 weeks of growth under optimal moisture conditions, the seedlings were further grown for 14 d under drought conditions. Root‐growth dynamics were observed in rhizoboxes containing soils from the Ah and B horizons. The concentrations of Al³⁺, base cations, and nitrate in the soil solution and element concentrations in the root tissue were compared with above‐ and belowground growth parameters and root physiological parameters. There was no strong evidence that seedling roots suffered from high soil‐solution Al³⁺ concentrations. Within the tested range of BS (1.2%–6.5%) our results indicated that root physiological parameters such as O₂ consumption decreased and callose concentration increased in soils with a BS < 3%. In contrast to the B horizons, seedlings in the Ah horizons had higher relative shoot‐growth rates, specific root lengths, and lengths and branching increments, but a lower root‐to‐shoot ratio and root‐branching frequency. In conclusion, these differences in growth patterns were most likely due to differences in nutrient availability and to the drought application and not attributable to differences in Al³⁺ concentrations in the soil solution.     

三峡水库消落带几种草本植物根系的垂直分布特征

[目的]明确三峡水库消落带典型草本植物根系分布特征,为三峡消落带的植被恢复提供依据。[方法]在三峡腹地石宝镇消落带选取牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)、扁穗牛鞭草(Hemarthria compressa)、双穗雀稗(Paspalum paspaeoides)三种人工恢复草本和自然恢复草本,利用WinRhizo Pro.2009c根系分析系统研究其根系的土壤剖面分布特征。[结果]4种草本类型的的根系主要分布在0—10cm土层,根长密度、根直径(除自然杂草外)、根表面积密度、根体积密度和根尖密度均随土壤深度的增加而呈指数函数减小;除根径外,在整个土层剖面中(0—25cm),3种人工草本的根系指标都要显著高于自然恢复杂草。[结论]4种草本根系发达,对消落带水淹胁迫的适应性强。     

黑土稻田连续深耕改善土壤理化性质提高水稻产量大田试验

为了明确深耕对水田土壤理化性质及水稻产量影响,该文在黑土型水稻土上开展深耕研究,应用自主研发的水田深翻犁,开展深翻、浅翻与旋耕大区对比研究。结果表明:浅翻和深翻可以降低土壤固相比率和容重,与旋耕相比,土壤固相比率降低幅度分别为0.74%~4.80%和1.86%~3.90%;10~20 cm土层土壤容重分别下降0.09 g/cm~3和0.08 g/cm~3,20~30 cm土层深翻处理土壤容重比旋耕下降0.03 g/cm~3;10~20 cm土层土壤的通气系数和饱和透水系数浅翻处理比旋耕分别提高4.04倍和2.71倍,深翻提高4.42倍和2.14倍;20~30 cm深翻比旋耕提高1.86倍和2.87倍,2年趋势一致;深翻可使土壤养分指标在各层趋于平均化;深耕可促进水稻根系生长,根系的生长量与根长增加幅度为6.53%~16.33%和10.81%~21.62%,深翻好于浅翻;深耕提高水稻产量,2015年浅翻和深翻处理水稻实测产量分别比旋耕增产6.91%和9.81%,2016年增产6.59%和7.84%,2年增产趋势一致。     

Effects of pine roots on microorganisms,fauna, and nitrogen availability in two soil horizons of a coniferous forest spodosol

Summary We investigated the effects of pitch pine seedling roots on extractable N, microbial growth rate, biomass C and N, and nematodes and microarthropods in microcosms with either organic (41% C, 1.14% N) or mineral (0.05% C, 0.01% N) horizon soils of a spondosol. Root quantity was manipulated by varying plant density (0, 1, 2, or 4 seedlings) and rhizosphere soil was separated from non-rhizosphere soil by a 1.2 m mesh fabric. In the rhizosphere of organic soil horizons, moisture, microbial growth rate, biomass C and N, and extractable N declined as root density was increased, but there was little effect on nematodes or microarthropods. High levels of extractable N remained after 5 months, suggesting that N mineralization was stimulated during the incubation. In the rhizosphere of mineral soil horizons, microbial growth rate, and nematode and microarthropod abundances increased at higher root density, and in the absence of roots faunal abundance approached zero. Faunal activity was concentrated in the rhizosphere compared to non-rhizosphere soil. In organic soil horizons, roots may limit microbial activity by reducing soil moisture and/or N availability. However, in mineral soil horizons, where nutrient levels are very low, root inputs can stimulate microbial growth and faunal abundance by providing important substrates for microbial growth. Our results demonstrate a rhizosphere effect for soil fauna in the mineral soil, and thus extends the rhizosphere concept to components of the soil community other than microbes for forest ecosystems. Although our results need to be verified by field manipulations, we suggest that the effects of pine roots on nutrient cycling processes in coniferous forests can vary with soil nutrient content and, therefore, position in the soil profile.     

Yearly variation of root distribution with depth in relation to nutrient uptake and corn yield

Abstract

Root length and root distribution in the soil profile is important in determining the amount of nutrients and water taken up by the plant. Data about year to year variation of corn (Zea mays L.) root growth and its relation to nutrient uptake are limited. An evaluation of the importance of root system size and distribution on P and K uptake and corn yield was made from samples taken annually from a long‐term fertility experiment on Raub silt loam, fine silty, mixed, mesic Aquic Argiudolls. Root density varied with soil depth among years, whereas P and K fertilizer treatment had no measureable influence on total root length. Ear leaf P concentration was highly correlated with the amount of roots in the 0 to 15 cm layer which contained most of the available P. Since P was not appreciably limiting corn yield, no significant relation was found between yield and P content of the ear leaf. Yields on K deficient plots were positively correlated with root density in the topsoil. Correlations of root densities in the deeper soil layers with both yield and ear leaf nutrient concentration became increasingly smaller with depth in the soil profile. The results indicate that root length plus root distribution in the soil may influence year to year variation in yield particularily on soils having low available nutrient levels. This variation in root growth may be responsible for differences among years in the response of crops to applied P and/or K.     

不同生育期烤烟根系固土能力特征研究

本研究选取云南省主要种植作物——烤烟为试验材料,分析烤烟不同生育期(团棵期、现蕾期、成熟期)的根系固土能力特征。应用锚杆拉力计和自行设计的剪切箱对不同生育期烤烟根系的固土能力在0~10 cm和0~20 cm土层进行原位测定。结果表明:同一生育期,根系密度表现为0~10 cm0~20 cm;同一土壤深度范围内,根系密度表现为成熟期现蕾期团棵期。相同深度范围内,固土能力表现为成熟期现蕾期团棵期;在现蕾期和成熟期,固土能力表现为0~10 cm0~20 cm,而团棵期由于根系尚未深扎至20 cm深度,只有在样方的塑性变形阶段的固土能力,表现为0~10 cm0~20 cm;同一生育期相同深度范围内,载荷与位移间呈现显著的直线相关关系(P0.01)。随着载荷的增加,将出现载荷临界点F1、F2和F3,F1为比例极限点,F2为屈服拉力点,F3为抗拉极限点。相同深度,F1与根系密度间无明显相关关系,F2和F3分别与根系密度间呈显著幂函数关系。在0~10 cm,F2与根系密度和F3与根系密度的相关方程分别为y=1.313x0.042和y=1.379x0.084;在0~20 cm,F2与根系密度和F3与根系密度的相关方程分别为y=1.389x0.048和y=1.638x0.077。该测定方法可以在水土保持上作为评价不同作物(植物)固土能力的有效参考手段,建立不同作物根系固土数据库,为坡耕地作物配置提供理论依据。     

Rooting patterns of four crop legumes in response to seed-placement depths in the dry season

Abstract

On sandy paddy fields, key factors for successful crops in the dry season without irrigation are a shallow water table and practices such as deep seed-placement but only some legume species are adapted to such conditions. To understand the adaptation of legume species to deep seed-placement over shallow water tables, we studied their rooting patterns on two sandy soils. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), mungbean (Vigna radiata), peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and soybean (Glycine max) seeds were sown shallow (～5 cm) or deep (～15 cm) in deep sandy soils after harvesting rice in two shallow water table locations in north-east Thailand. The legumes depended mainly on capillary water rising from the water table and none experienced water deficit throughout the growing season. Generally, deeper seed-placement decreased overall root dry weight, but it increased the root surface area to weight ratio. Deep seed-placement promoted a greater fraction of root growth into the subsoil for cowpea (86–99% of total root length), mungbean (61–93% of total root length) and peanut (78–98% of total root length) where the soil contained more water throughout the growing season. Moreover, deep seed-placement at the site with the lower water table promoted deeper penetration of roots of cowpea (～20 cm deeper), mungbean (～20–40 cm deeper) and peanut (～20–40 cm deeper) which improved water access, especially late during the growing season when topsoils dried to close to wilting point. Unlike other species, the soybean rooting pattern did not respond much to seed-placement depths, or soil moisture.     

Durchwurzelungsvergleich zwischen Fettwiese und angrenzender Brachwiese

Root systems of two contiguous grassland sites (fertilized meadow and abandoned grassland). In the course of an investigation on plant succession and soil development on abandoned grassland, we compared root systems in a fertilized meadow (Arrhenatheretum) with those in grassland abandoned 15 years ago (now being covered mainly by Brachypodium pinnatum). Root lengths were determined by the line intercept method developed by Newman (1966) and Evans (1970). In addition, surface areas and volumes of roots were calculated. In the top layer of the soil (0–5 cm) root lengths and root surfaces were nearly equal in the two sites, but the subsequent exponential decreases with depth were more pronounced in the meadow soil. Root volume (including rhizomes of Brachypodium pinnatum) was much larger in the abandoned grassland site. In addition, results are compared to other investigations on root density.     

Root‐growth characteristics contributing to genotypic variation in nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape

A 3‐year field experiment was carried out to determine the significance of root‐growth characteristics contributing to N‐uptake efficiency of two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in N efficiency. Two N treatments were applied, and the core and minirhizotron techniques were used to study root‐length density and number of living roots, respectively. Fertilizer‐N supply increased shoot dry matter, grain yield, total N uptake, and total soil N_min contents particularly in the top soil. Although significant differences occurred in all parameters between years, the interactions between years and cultivars were mostly not significant. Compared to cv. Capitol, the N‐efficient cv. Apex was characterized by a higher grain yield at N0 and a higher N uptake during reproductive growth. This genotype also had a higher root‐length density and more living fine roots particularly in the topsoil layer. Root growth of this genotype was especially high from beginning of shooting to beginning of flowering, while shoot growth and N uptake during vegetative growth were comparatively low. Our results suggest that N‐efficient cultivars can be characterized by a high investment in root growth during the vegetative stage with a comparatively slow shoot growth and N‐uptake rate until beginning of flowering, which, however, continues during reproductive growth. High root production only during reproductive growth seems to be less effective to achieve high N efficiency, because this may lead to a shortage of assimilates for seed filling. High root‐length density at vegetative stages may thus be advantageous for N uptake and reproductive growth and could be a useful morphological character for the selection and breeding of N‐efficient cultivars.     

不同灌溉策略下冬小麦根系的分布与水分养分的空间有效性

通过田间试验研究了少量多次和少次多量的灌溉方式下冬小麦根系的分布与水分养分的空间有效性。结果表明 :少量多次的灌溉方式降低了冬小麦返青后表层根系的生长 ,减少了拔节后该层根系的衰退。在少次多量的灌溉方式下返青期不灌水促进了表层根系的生长 ,然而拔节后该层根系衰退较多 ,但中层 ( 3 0～ 60cm)根系生长高于少量多次的灌溉方式。不同灌溉策略下根系分布的差异并不影响冬小麦对土壤水分和养分的吸收 ,由于播前土体内蓄水不足 ,三种灌溉方式下 0～ 90cm土壤可用水在收获后均消耗殆尽。灌溉促进了表层硝态氮的吸收和向下迁移 ,但两种灌溉方式下硝态氮在土体内的迁移均未超出 60cm土体 ,仍在根层之内。而不同的灌溉方式对冬小麦全生育期内土体速效磷钾的分布没有影响。扬花前两种灌溉方式下冬小麦的生长发育和养分的吸收并无差异 ,扬花后少次多量的灌溉方式由于水分供应不足 ,影响了灌浆 ,降低了千粒重 ,进而影响了产量 ,同时土壤水分缺乏也减少了该时期养分的吸收。而在少量多次的灌溉方式下 ,扬花后灌水不仅可以促进冬小麦灌浆 ,提高千粒重 ,而且增加了对养分的吸收。     

RESPONSES OF WHEAT PLANTS IN TERMS OF SOIL WATER CONTENT,BULK DENSITY,SALINITY, AND ROOT GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING SYSTEMS AND VARIOUS IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES

The effects of irrigation water rates and seed bed shapes on changes in soil water and salinity status, bulk density, root growth and dry matter (DM) weights of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated with a split plot design in a field trial in Zahak Agricultural Research Station in Sistan, Iran in 2005. Irrigation intervals after 80 and 160 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan were used as main plot. Flat surface, single, triple, and six-row beds with a 20 cm row space were used as subplots. Each treatment was replicated four times. Volumetric soil water content and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were measured using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) at 0 —20, 20 —40 and 40 —60 cm depths at nine different times during the growing season. Soil water contents were also measured at 0 —10 and 10 —20 cm depths using standard sampling rings at four different times. The three and six-row beds increased the EC of the saturated paste extract with the more frequent irrigation intervals in this coarse textured soil. Soil water content, DM, and root density were always greater with the more frequent irrigations (shorter irrigation intervals). Root density was greatest in 0 —20 cm depth with the single row bed treatment. Grain yield and root density were greatest with single row bed treatment due to the bed shape at the root development stage (possibly due to a reduced mechanical resistance). A greater soil water content by the short irrigation interval increased grain yield and root density via reducing mechanical resistance. With the loamy sand, bulk density and mechanical resistance increased rapidly after cultivation. Bed shape at root development stage might have enhanced root growth and the crop yields. Apparently, mechanical resistance was the most limiting factor with these loamy sand soils than salinity.