Critical soil bulk density and strength for pea seedling root growth as related to other soil factors

Bulk density and soil strength are two major soil physical factors affecting root growth of pea seedlings. This study was conducted to determine the influence of soil texture, organic carbon content and water content on critical bulk density and strength. Soil from the plough layer (PL) and beneath the sub-soil (SUB) was used. By soil packing and adjusting the water content between 30% and 100% of field water capacity (FWC) a wide range of bulk density (1.3–1.7 Mg m⁻³) and strength (0.24–6.66 MPa) were obtained. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) was grown in the packed cores of 100 cm³ for 72 h at 20°C. Regression models were developed to explain root growth in terms of bulk density, soil strength, silt and clay (<60 μm) content, organic carbon, and water content. The regression curve of root growth as a function of soil strength showed that 40% of maximum root length can be regarded as an indicator of very poor root growth. By substituting this value into the root growth equations we calculated a critical bulk density and strength in terms of fraction<60 μm, organic carbon percentage and water content. The values of critical bulk density in both layers and of critical soil strength in the sub-soil increased with a decreasing content of fraction<60 μm. Irrespective of fraction<60 μm content, the critical bulk density and strength decreased as soil water content decreased. Critical soil strength was more sensitive than critical bulk density to changes in fraction<60 μm content and water content. This study provides data and a method for predicting critical bulk density and soil strength in relation to other soil properties for pea seedling root growth.     

东北玉米根系生物量模型的构建

开展根系生物量的观测和研究,建立通用性的根系生物量模型对于开展生态系统生物量的监测和评估具有重要意义。为得到根系生物量的实时信息,2016年9月末利用挖土法和根系扫描系统,获取玉米根系的生物量及生态指标,分析了玉米根系生物量的垂直分布特征并建立了根系生物量与根系生态指标之间的模拟方程。结果表明：玉米根系生物量主要集中于0~30 cm,占玉米根系垂直分布量的94.44%。利用普通最小二乘法建立根系生物量模型均存在异方差问题,增加根长作为自变量建立的根系生物量模型显著提高了模拟精度,决定系数（R²）达0.91以上。采用对数转换消除方程的异方差及比较不同的模拟方程后发现,玉米根系生物量与根径和根长的组合变量（D²H）建立的指数函数是模拟玉米根系生物量的最优方程,决定系数（R²）最高,为0.90,平均绝对误差（MAE）、估计值的标准误差（SEE）、平均预估误差（MPE）均最小,满足了模拟方程的精度要求。对该方程进一步验证发现,模拟值和实测值之间的相关系数为0.92,说明此模型能较好地模拟根系生物量。利用根系生物量模型结合微根管法,可解决根系生物量实时观测难的问题。     

Hydraulic Core Extraction: Cutting Device for Soil–Root Studies

Abstract

A critical objective of belowground research is to collect and process representative soil samples. Mechanical devices have been developed to quickly take soil cores in the field; however, techniques to rapidly process large‐diameter soil cores are lacking. Our objective was to design and construct a soil extraction–cutting system that could effectively reduce processing time. Soil cores were extracted from large diameter steel core tubes using a custom hydraulic cylinder device that vertically pushes the soil core to a desired depth increment before cutting in a horizontal direction with another hydraulically driven device. As many as eight large cores per hour could be processed with this system. This system has been effectively used in processing soil samples from both agricultural and forestry sites to meet desired experimental goals.     

Impact of tillage on maize rooting in a Cambisol and Luvisol in Switzerland

Soil conditions under no-tillage (NT) are often unfavorable for the growth of maize roots in comparison to conventional tillage (CT). In 1997 and 1999, the impacts of tillage on the morphology and spatial distribution of maize (Zea mays L.) roots at anthesis were investigated in a 5-year field trial at two sites (loamy silt and sandy loam soils) in the Swiss midlands. Four soil cores, perpendicular to the maize row, were taken to a depth of 100 cm in each plot; the root length density (RLD), the mean root diameter (MD), and the relative length per diameter-class distribution (LDD) of the roots were determined.

Roots were longer and thinner in 1999 than in 1997. The RLD was significantly higher and the MD was smaller on the loamy silt than on the sandy loam. The RLD and MD decreased with the distance from the plant row. Most of the maize roots, about 80% of the total root length, were in the layer from 0 to 40 cm, with maximum values from 5 to 10 cm; the thickest roots were in the soil layer from 10 to 50 cm. Significant differences in RLD with increasing distance from the row of plants were found in the top 30 cm.

Averaged over the whole soil profile, RLD was higher and MD was smaller under CT than under NT. The impact of tillage on RLD and MD interacted with spatial factors and years. Within the soil profile, RLD was significantly higher under NT than under CT at a depth of 5 cm, whereas it was higher under CT than under NT below 10 cm. Below 50 cm, there was no difference in RLD between the tillage systems. In a horizontal direction, MD was consistently higher in the row and lower in the mid-row under NT than under CT.

Our results show that differences in maize root growth between tillage systems, which were reported in previous studies, persist until anthesis. The accumulation of maize roots near the soil surface in NT suggests that subsurface-banding of starter fertilizer is a more efficient way of applying fertilizer (particularly immobile nutrients such as phosphorus) compared with broadcasting in order to supply sufficient nutrients for NT maize.     

作物根系吸水特性研究进展

综述了作物根系吸水模型的研究现状、存在问题和研究展望。根据根系吸水源汇项S(z，t)的构造方法不同，可将作物根系吸水模型大致分为微观模型和宏观模型。微观根系吸水模型能够描述根区微域内土壤水分运动规律，但根系分布的均一性假设和田间情况相差较大；宏观根系吸水模型的边界条件容易确定和控制，但该类模型忽略了根系微域的水势梯度和其他类似现象。今后的研究应集中在对以往根系吸水模型进行修改与完善、根系过程(吸水、吸肥、渗流、呼吸等)模拟以及根系结构与分布等方面。     

Experimental determination of climate‐change effects on above‐ground and below‐ground organic matter in alpine grasslands by translocation of soil cores

We used the soil‐core translocation method to investigate the effect of increased temperature on above‐ and below‐ground phytomass and organic matter in cool alpine areas. The translocation of undisturbed soil cores from a high alpine site (2525 m a.s.l.) to an alpine site near the timberline (1895 m a.s.l.) achieved an effective artificial warming of 3.3 K. From a methodological point of view, the translocation of soil cores was performed successfully. Soil cores moved to a new site at the same altitude showed no change in above‐ and below‐ground vegetation, bulk density, and soil skeleton. At both sites, soils were Haplic Podzols with a similar chemistry and clay mineralogy. At the lower elevation site, however, podzolization processes seemed to be more pronounced. As a consequence, the translocation of the soil cores probably led to a disturbance of the actual steady state that had been established after about 10,000–13,000 years of soil formation. This might have affected the adaptability of the vegetation system. Therefore, it cannot be fully excluded that the experimental design influenced the results. Translocation of soil cores from a very cool to a warmer site led to a distinct decrease in above‐ground phytomass (about –45%) over the experimental period of two years. Below‐ground phytomass significantly decreased (up to –50%) in the topsoil (0–5 cm) after artificial warming. Possible mechanisms are that roots reduced photosynthesis and hence C flow below‐ground, a reduction of soil moisture that would have led to root death (not a very probable cause, however) or an abrupt change in the radiation duration and flux which affected root growth (also not very probable). Fast climate change exceeded the ability of the above‐ground and below‐ground phytomass to adapt quickly. Whether the decrease in phytomass was a short‐term or a long‐term response to climate warming remains uncertain. Based on a gradient study (climosequence at the same locality), we hypothesize that the decreased plant productivity might be a short‐term effect.     

一种新型根系分泌物收集装置与收集方法的介绍

根系分泌物在养分活化、改善环境胁迫方面具有重要作用,很多科技工作者对根系分泌物的研究表现出极大兴趣,取得了一系列进展。但土壤栽培条件下,根系分泌物收集是一个难点。本文介绍了一种新型根系分泌物的收集装置与收集方法。该装置由根系生长箱和分泌物收集箱组成,植物在生长箱土壤中生长,通过定向引导作用,根系从生长箱穿过琼脂层进入收集箱中生长,待收集箱内积累一定根系后,通过淋洗收集箱内的介质,实现根系分泌物收集。研究发现,利用该装置收集分泌物,植物总根尖数的90%分布在收集箱。外源有机酸加样回收率可达70%以上。土壤栽培条件下,随生长时期延长,大豆有机酸分泌量逐渐增加,苹果酸分泌量高于柠檬酸。而且土壤栽培条件下大豆柠檬酸和苹果酸分泌量是溶液栽培时的11.4倍和6.7倍。上述研究表明,该装置可以用于土壤栽培条件下根系有机酸的分泌研究。     

不同生长期大豆坡耕地土壤抗侵蚀能力特征

土壤抗侵蚀能力特征是土壤侵蚀预测预报的重要依据之一,为了分析黄土区不同生长期大豆坡耕地土壤抗侵蚀能力特征,采用原状土冲刷槽和静水崩解法,分别在大豆不同生长期测定坡耕地不同土层土壤抗冲性和抗蚀性,并对大豆根系特征与土壤抗侵蚀能力的关系进行分析。结果表明:随着大豆生育期的推进呈现出先增强后减弱的趋势,始粒期土壤抗侵蚀能力最强,苗期最弱;在大豆苗期与分枝期,土壤抗侵蚀能力随土层深度的增加而减弱;大豆开花期以后10~20 cm土层土壤抗侵蚀能力最强,其次为0~5 cm土层;土壤根重密度、根系表面积、根系体积及根系长度对土壤抗侵蚀能力影响均达到极显著水平(p0.01),且根径在0~0.5 mm之间根系的增多会更加有效地提高土壤的抗侵蚀能力。这表明在大豆生长初期加强对坡面的有效防护,避免地表长期裸露,培育根系发达的大豆品种将有助于对坡耕地土壤侵蚀的防控。     

The use of the ingrowth core method for measuring root production of arable crops — influence of soil conditions inside the ingrowth core on root growth

The ingrowth core method can be used to measure root gross growth (i.e. root production). A mesh bag filled with root free soil is buried into the root zone. After about 14 days, the bag is pulled out and root length inside the core can be determined. An objection against this method is the inability to obtain the same soil conditions inside the bag as outside, which can result in different root growth pattern in the ingrowth core compared to the bulk soil. To study this, mesh bags were buried in a stand of oilseed rape and were filled with soil at different nitrate, phosphate, moisture, and bulk density levels. Results showed that root growth was only influenced by a high nitrate content and a high soil density in the cores, which resulted in higher and lower root length densities (RLD), respectively. In a long‐term ingrowth experiment similar root length densities in the cores and in the bulk soil were measured, indicating that there were no root growth enhancing or impeding conditions inside the ingrowth cores. The conclusion is drawn, that the ingrowth core method gives reliable results, provided the N content and the soil density inside the bags are comparable to the bulk soil.     

A reciprocal soil exchange experiment highlights tree root colonization effects on soil nitrification

For forest ecosystems, the relationship between root biomass, root growth and soil nitrification is still debated. Following repeated findings of significant differences in soil nitrification beneath comparable stands at the Breuil experimental site, a reciprocal soil exchange experiment combining high (H)‐ and low (L)‐nitrifying stands was conducted to highlight the effect of tree root colonization on the control of nitrification. Soil percent nitrification and fine root biomass were measured in undisturbed and in transplanted soil cores after 16 and 28 months. In undisturbed soils, the fine root biomass varied by tree species and explained only 14% of the variation in percent nitrification. In transplanted soil cores, percent nitrification converged, at different rates, towards values close to those measured in the undisturbed soil at the receptor stands. On the one hand, percent nitrification increased rapidly in soil cores from L transferred to H, while soil core colonization by roots remained low during the study period. Soil cores might have been colonized by active nitrifiers from their new environment, or/and the activity of the nitrifiers originally present was less suppressed by root activity in their new environment. On the other hand, percent nitrification decreased progressively in soil cores from H transferred to L as root colonization increased. This suggests that root colonization reduced nitrifier population and activity. Our findings suggest that the often‐reported influence of forest species on soil nitrification is probably multifactorial but the tree root colonization contributes.     

基于遗传算法的人工神经网络模型在冬小麦根系吸水模型中的应用

基于土壤水分与冠部数据,应用遗传算法优化人工神经网络模型的权值,将获得的冬小麦根长密度分布应用于根系吸水模型中,并进行了水分数值模拟,水分模拟效果整体较好,表明应用该方法可以为根系吸水模型提供准确的根系参数,并且较为方便,这对于根系吸水模型的建立及应用有着重要的意义。     

基于动态规划理论的棉花根长生长模拟方法

作物根系生长不仅取决于生理因素,还取决于生态环境因素,而土壤水分环境与作物根系生长之间的关系则是局部灌溉技术设计的理论依据之一。为了进一步探索影响棉花根系生长的主要因素,本文在根?冠水量平衡的基础上,结合作物系数与叶面积的关系模型、根长密度分布函数以及根系吸水效率函数,应用动态规划理论,建立了棉花根系生长模型,并以桶栽棉花试验结果进行验证。结果表明,该模型纳入了土壤水分环境、大气蒸腾力和叶面积等影响根系生长的因子,具有揭示根系生长耗水机理的作用。该模型模拟出的棉花总根长变化趋势与实测结果基本一致,当以多年月平均参考蒸散量(ET0)作为输入条件时,模拟结果总体误差为15.41%,可以用于工程设计。对模型敏感性分析结果表明,所建模型能够反映棉花根?叶生长的同步性,以及进入生殖生长期以后根—叶之间的水量平衡关系。棉花根系生长对土壤水分环境变化的敏感性高于对叶面积变化的敏感性,体现了棉花根系生长的机理,建模方法可行。本文研究成果对完善局部灌溉技术中灌溉制度的设计理论具有重要意义。     

根系分泌物与土传病害的关系研究进展

根系分泌物是植物–土壤–病原微生物相互作用的桥梁,是决定病原菌–作物关系的关键生态因子,影响着土传病害的发生与发展。本文阐述了根系分泌物的定义、分类及产生机理;重点从根系分泌物的化感自毒效应,根系分泌物诱导根际微生物群落,根系分泌物影响病原菌丰度,根系分泌物影响根际土壤环境4个方面阐述了根系分泌物与土传病害的关系;并从研究方法和研究领域方面展望了今后研究的方向与重点。未来需要建立根系分泌物的原位收集、实时监测、量化方法技术体系,耦合利用组学技术,建立植物根系分泌物–根际微生物组成与功能–病害之间关系的数据库网络公用平台,加强根际病原菌与其他微生物相互作用关系研究,亟需根系分泌物作用下导致植物发病的病原菌浓度阈值研究,以期为发展土传病害的产生原理和完善土传病害根际防控技术提供依据。     

New method to estimate root biomass in soil through root-derived carbon

Quantification of root biomass through the conventional root excavation and washing method is inefficient. A pot experiment was conducted to estimate root-derived carbon (C) in soil. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Quantum’) was grown in plastic containers (6 L) filled with sterilized sandy soil in a greenhouse. Plants were enriched with ¹³CO₂ in a glass chamber twice at growth stages GS-37 and GS-59 for 70 min at each time. In one treatment, roots were separated from soil at crop maturity, washed and dried for the determination of biomass. Isotope ratios were then separately analyzed for roots and soil. In a second treatment, roots were thoroughly mixed with the whole soil and representative samples were analyzed for ¹³C abundance at crop maturity. Control plants were untreated with ¹³C, in which roots were separated from soil. The root biomass was calculated based on the root-derived C, which was measured through ¹³C abundance in the soil and root mixed samples. A substantial amount of root-derived C (24%) was unaccounted while separating the roots from soil. Similarly, about 36% of the root biomass was underestimated if conventional root excavation and washing method is used. It has been shown that root biomass can be estimated more accurately from the root-derived C using ¹³C tracer method than the estimates made by the conventional excavation and washing method. We propose this as an alternative method for the estimation of root-derived C in soil, based on which root biomass can be estimated.     

Method to quantify root border cells in sandy soil

Root border cells are cells that detach from the growing root cap, and serve both physical and biological roles in the rhizosphere. Most work on border cells has been confined to agar, or hydroponic culture, because of the difficulty in separating them from soil particles. We present a new method to separate the root border cells from soil, and quantify border cell numbers in non-sterile sandy loam soil at contrasting matric potentials (−20 and −300 kPa). Recovery rates of 90±1% were achieved using a combination of surfactants, sonication, and centrifugation. Root border cell numbers in the dry soil (1.4×10³ after 24 h) were significantly decreased as compared with those in the wetter soil (1.7×10³ after 24 h). Possible reasons for the decreased release of border cells are discussed.     

Root tensile strength of three shrub species: Rosa canina, Cotoneaster dammeri and Juniperus horizontalis: Soil reinforcement estimation by laboratory tests

The presence of vegetation increases soil burden stability along slopes and therefore reduces soil erosion. The contribution of the vegetation is due to mechanical (reinforcing soil shear resistance) and hydrologic controls on stream banks and superficial landslides. This study focused on the biotechnical characteristics of the root system of three shrub species: Rosa canina (L.), Cotoneaster dammeri (C.K. Schneid) and Juniperus horizontalis (Moench). The aim of this paper is to increase our understanding on root biomechanical properties of shrubs species and their contribution to soil reinforcement. The considered shrubs grew up in wood containers, exposed to natural conditions in a village near Asti (Northern Italy) for 2 years. Laboratory tests were conducted to measure the ultimate root tensile strength and to estimate the root density distribution with depth (root area ratio), in order to quantify the soil mechanical reinforcement. Root tensile strength measurements were carried out on single root specimens and root area ratio was estimated analyzing the whole root system. The improvement of soil mechanical properties obtained by the presence of shrubs was estimated using two different models. The first model, based on a simple force equilibrium model, considers that the tensile strength of all roots crossing the shear plane is fully mobilized. This classical approach is implemented by the Fiber Bundle Model concept, to account for non-simultaneous root breaking. C. dammeri roots presented the highest tensile strength and soil reinforcement values, while R. canina and J. horizontalis were characterized by lower values. Similarly at each considered depth C. dammeri showed the highest soil reinforcement effect.     

A method for obtaining the relationship between the amount of DNA and the fine root weight from mixtures of fine roots and soil particles

Fine root biomass can be estimated from the quantity of DNA of a target plant extracted from fine root samples using regression analysis. However, the application of this method to fine root samples mixed with soil particles (mixed samples) is difficult due to the high DNA adsorption capacity of some clay minerals. Our aim in this study was to clarify the enhancement level of the DNA extraction efficiency of an improved method, and to obtain a regression line between the amount of DNA and the root biomass from a mixed sample with similar reliability as for fine roots alone (pure root sample). We examined the amount of DNA extracted from a mixture of Zea mays L. fine roots and highly adsorbent Kanuma soil using various concentrations of a skim milk solution, which acts as an adsorption competitor for the soil particles during the DNA extraction process. The amount of DNA of Zea mays extracted from the mixed sample using 0% skim milk was lower than from the pure root sample. However, the amount of DNA extracted from the mixed sample increased with increasing concentrations of skim milk, reaching the same level as for the pure root samples and resulting in a regression line that was similar to the pure root samples. Optimal DNA extraction levels were obtained with the addition of 20?µL of a 20% skim milk solution to 30?mg of a mixed sample. We also discuss the applicability of this method to other plant species and soil types.     

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。     

Selection for root colonising bacteria stimulating wheat growth in saline soils

High salinity of soils in arid and semi-arid regions results in desertification and decreased crop yield. One possibility to circumvent this problem is to use root colonising salt tolerant bacterial inoculants which can alleviate salt stress in plants. In the present work, the best five enhanced wheat root tip coloniser bacteria were selected from the rhizosphere of wheat grown in saline soil and were identified by the 16S rRNA gene sequence as Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas extremorientalis, Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Pseudomonas aurantiaca. The isolates tolerated salt of 5% NaCl and produced indole acetic acid under saline conditions. Four isolates proved to be very efficient in promoting a significant increase in the shoot, root and dry matter of wheat and were able to survive in saline soil. Four of the isolated strains appeared to be better competitive colonisers than reference strains and probably outcompeted with indigenous microorganisms of the rhizosphere. These results are promising for the application of selected environmentally save microbes in saline agricultural soils.     

覆盖作物根系对砂姜黑土压实的响应

轮作直根系的覆盖作物被认为是缓解土壤压实的有效手段,但不同覆盖作物对土壤压实的适应性在不同气候和土壤条件下存在较大差异。为筛选更适宜缓解砂姜黑土压实的覆盖作物品种(模式),在安徽典型砂姜黑土设置不压实(Non-compacted,NC)与压实(Compacted,C)处理,通过种植不同覆盖作物(休闲、苜蓿、油菜、萝卜+毛苕子混播),分析覆盖作物根系对压实土壤的响应。结果表明:与不压实处理相比,压实处理显著增加了0~30 cm土层土壤容重(8.65%);显著增加了0~27.5 cm和37.5~45 cm土层的穿透阻力;显著改变0~20 cm土层土壤收缩特征。同时,土壤压实大幅度降低了0~50 cm土层苜蓿、油菜、萝卜+毛苕子的根干重密度,增加了苜蓿、油菜、萝卜+毛苕子的根比表面积。压实处理下50~70 cm土层萝卜+毛苕子根干重密度、根体积密度和根长密度均大于苜蓿和油菜,表明萝卜+毛苕子混播种植模式下根系穿透压实土壤能力最强。压实处理下不同覆盖作物地上覆盖度和生物量均表现为由大到小依次为萝卜+毛苕子、油菜、苜蓿。与不压实处理相比,压实处理分别减少苜蓿、油菜、萝卜+毛苕子地上部分生物量的62.5%、67.6%、15.8%,地下部分生物量的61.4%、57.7%、47.8%。因此,萝卜+毛苕子种植模式下根系生长受压实影响最小,在压实土壤中适应性最好。