Development and Distribution of Root System in Two GrainSorghum Cultivars Originated from Sudan under Drought Stress

Abstract

The difference in rooting pattern between two grain sorghum cultivars differing in drought tolerance was investigated under drought stress. The cultivars, Gadambalia (drought-tolerant) and Tabat (droughtsusceptible), were grown in bottomless wooden or acrylic root boxes to examine root parameters. Gadambalia consistently exhibited higher dry matter production and leaf water potential than Tabat under drought stress in both root boxes. In the experiment with wooden root boxes, under a drought condition, Gadambalia extracted more water from deep soil layers (1.1-1.5 m), which was estimated from the reduction in soil water content, than Tabat. This was because Gadambalia had a significantly higher root length density in these soil layers. The high root length density was due to enhanced lateral root development in Gadambalia. In the other experiment with acrylic root boxes, though total root length in the upper soil layer (0-0.5 m) was declined by limited irrigation in both cultivars, the reduction in Gadambalia was moderate compared with that in Tabat owing to the maintenance of fine root growth. Unlike Tabat, Gadambalia had an ability to produce the nodal roots from higher internodes even under drought, which resulted in the high nodal root length of Gadambalia. The growth angle of nodal roots was significantly correlated with root diameter, and the nodal roots from the higher internodes had large diameters and penetrated into the soil more vertically. These results indicate that the responses of roots (i.e. branching and/or growth of lateral root, and nodal root emergence from higher internodes) to soil dryness could be associated with the drought tolerance of Gadambalia.     

Association between root growth angle and root length density of a near-isogenic line of IR64 rice with DEEPER ROOTING 1 under different levels of soil compaction

DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) of rice controls the gravitropic response of root growth angle. In order to clarify the effects of DRO1 on root growth angle and root length density under different soil resistance to penetration, and to quantify the relationship between root growth angle and root length density, we assessed the root growth of Dro1-NIL (a near-isogenic line homozygous for the Kinandang Patong allele of DRO1 in the IR64 background) under upland Andosol field conditions in Japan in 2013 and 2014. The trial included three levels of soil compaction (none, moderate, and hard). Root length density at a depth of 30 to 60 cm was largest in Kinandang Patong, followed by Dro1-NIL, and was least in IR64 in both years and in all compaction treatments. Root length density at this depth decreased with hard compaction (to 70% of control) and increased with moderate compaction (to 135%). The number of roots with a deep angle (i.e. 45° to 90° from the horizontal) measured by the basket method was similar at maximum tillering and maturity stages, and its value as a proportion of the total number of roots was strongly correlated with the root length density at 30 to 60 cm in both years, which demonstrates the importance of a deep root angle for the development of deep roots. Dro1-NIL had a higher proportion of deep roots than IR64, but the difference was small under hard compaction, with a significant genotype × compaction interaction.     

生殖生长期干旱对不同耐旱型玉米自交系根系性状及产量的影响

2016～2017年,在大田微区PVC管栽条件下,采用裂区试验设计,主区为玉米自交系,裂区为水分处理,测定根系形态、根冠生长配比和产量等指标。研究结果表明,与耐旱性较弱的玉米自交系CML58相比,耐旱性较强的玉米自交系黄早四在水分胁迫后有效气生根根夹角增大明显,其根数、根长和根表面积等形态指标降幅峰值均早于CML58,40 cm以下土层的根长、根表面积和根体积降幅明显小于CML58,且0～20 cm土层的根系生长冗余在乳熟期后显著少于CML58,其根冠干重比降幅、根冠长度比和根冠面积比均高于CML58,根冠角度比较CML58小39.4%。与CML58相比,黄早四水分胁迫后能较好地调控有效气生根角度,及时调控根冠纵横生长,维持根系主要分布区结构与功能,提高深层根系分布比,减少根系生长冗余,提高物质转化效率。     

Root growth,soil water variation,and grain yield response of winter wheat to supplemental irrigation

Water shortage threatens agricultural sustainability in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China. Thus, we investigated the effect of supplemental irrigation (SI) on the root growth, soil water variation, and grain yield of winter wheat in this region by measuring the moisture content in different soil layers. Prior to SI, the soil water content (SWC) at given soil depths was monitored to calculate amount of irritation water that can rehydrate the soil to target SWC. The SWC before SI was monitored to depths of 20, 40, and 60 cm in treatments of W20, W40, and W60, respectively. Rainfed treatment with no irrigation as the control (W0). The mean root weight density (RWD), triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction activity (TTC reduction activity), soluble protein (SP) concentrations as well as catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in W40 and W60 treatments were significantly higher than those in W20. The RWD in 60–100 cm soil layers and the root activity, SP concentrations, CAT and SOD activities in 40–60 cm soil layers in W40 treatment were significantly higher than those in W20 and W60. W40 treatment is characterized by higher SWC in the upper soil layers but lower SWC in the 60–100-cm soil layers during grain filling. The soil water consumption (SWU) in the 60–100 cm soil layers from anthesis after SI to maturity was the highest in W40. The grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and irrigation water productivity were the highest in W40, with corresponding mean values of 9169 kg ha^?1, 20.8 kg ha^?1 mm^?1, and 35.5 kg ha^?1 mm^?1. The RWD, root activities, SP concentrations, CAT and SOD activities, and SWU were strongly positively correlated with grain yield and WUE. Therefore, the optimum soil layer for SI of winter wheat after jointing is 0–40 cm.     

No-Tillage Enhanced the Dependence on Surface Irrigation Water in Wheat and Soybean

Abstract

No-tillage often affects crop root development due to the higher mechanical impedance to root elongation, resulting in yield reduction under an unfavorable rainfall pattern, such as drought. In this study, we analyzed the changes in water source of wheat and soybean under drought stress in a continuous no-tillage field. Deuterium-labeled irrigation water was applied at different growth stages of crops to analyze their water uptake pattern. Mechanical impedance of the surface soil was 3.5 and 4.4 times higher in the no-tillage than in the conventional tillage under wet and drought conditions, respectively. Root length density and root branching index (the length of lateral roots per unit axile root length) of soybean in the surface soil layer were higher in the no-tillage field. This indicates that the increased branching by the higher mechanical impedance of undisturbed surface soil causes roots to accumulate in the surface soil layer. The deuterium concentration in the xylem sap of both crops was significantly higher in the no-tillage than in the tillage under a drought condition. This indicates that the crops in the no-tillage field depend highly on the newly supplied easily accessible water (irrigation water and/or rainfall) as compared with those in the conventional tillage field under a limited water supply. In conclusion, enhanced surface root growth in the no-tillage condition would result in higher dependence on surface supplied irrigation water than in the conventional tillage under drought.     

An empirical model for root water uptake

Soil water availability estimation is critical for assessing crop development and performance. During periods of soil water deficits, the capability of crop roots to extract soil water depends on the distribution and depth of its root system. Most water uptake models assume a relationship between root water extraction and root length density (RLD). However, models using RLD are difficult to test and several researchers have questioned the various proposed relationships between RLD and water uptake. A simplified water uptake model that does not use RLD was developed, but as an alternative, uses generalizations from measured soil water content changes to predict root water uptake. The daily incrementing model estimates a maximum water uptake rate by roots limited by soil water content that declines exponentially with the soil water content above the lower limit (LL) i.e., the remaining available soil water. The model assumes that: (i) the roots at a given layer have reached a minimum threshold of root density to extract water at a maximum rate; (ii) the transpiration demand is greater than the total root water uptake; and (iii) the water content at LL can be accurately measured or estimated. A critical constant (K) in the exponential model, representing the fraction of extractable water in a soil layer that can be taken up in 1 day, was found to be 0.096 for several species (cotton, maize, pearl millet, grain sorghum, soybean, sunflower and wheat), and different soil conditions. Values of K smaller than 0.096 were likely caused by root clumping in highly structured (cracking) or compacted soils, where root density was low in deeper soil layers when further downward root growth practically ceased, or by peanut whose K values was 0.064. This new empirical model should help to overcome several of the limitations of current models that rely on the use of measured or predicted RLD.     

Effects of tractor wheeling on root morphology and yield of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of soil compaction on the herbage yield and root growth of lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.). A field experiment was conducted on a silty loam Mollic Fluvisols soil in 2003–2006. Herbage yield and root morphology, in terms of root length density, mean root diameter, specific root length and distribution of dry matter (DM) in roots, were measured. Four compaction treatments were applied three times annually by tractor using the following number of passes: control without experimental traffic, two passes, four passes and six passes. The tractor traffic changed the physical properties of the soil by increasing bulk density and penetration resistance. Soil compaction also improved its water retention properties. These changes were associated with changes in root morphology and distribution of the DM in roots. Soil compaction resulted in higher proportions of the DM in roots, especially in the upper, 0–10 cm, soil horizon. Decreases in the root length density were observed in a root diameter range of 0·1–1·0 mm. It was also found that roots in a more compacted soil were significantly thicker. An effect of the root system of lucerne on soil compaction was observed. The root system of lucerne decreased the effects of soil compaction that had been recorded in the first and the second year of the experiment. An increase in the number of passes resulted in a decrease in the DM yield of herbage in the second and third harvests each year.     

Root distribution under seepage-irrigated potatoes in Northeast Florida

Much of commercial potato production in Florida is irrigated using sub-surface seepage irrigation. A perched water table is maintained during the season within 50 cm below the top of the potato ridge. Fertilizer placement is critical in this system to maximize plant uptake and to minimize leaching potential. Optimal placement of fertilizers is dependent on root distribution. The objectives of this study were to develop and test a new methodology to spatially describe potato root distribution as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation system. Soil slices containing representative samples of the potato root system at full flowering were taken from plots fertilized with ammonium nitrate at 168, 224, and 280 kg N ha^?1. The proposed sampling methodology performed satisfactorily. Root length density (cm root cm^?3 soil) and specific root length (cm root mg^?1 root dry weight) were not affected by nitrogen rate, but were affected by spatial position in the soil profile. The highest root length density value (0.72 average) was observed within 12 to 15 cm of the seedpiece. Low root length density values averaging 0.036 were observed between 24 and 36 cm from the top of the ridge. Specific root length values indicated a relatively homogeneous root system in terms of the quantity of invested biomass by unit of root length except in the two central units below 24 cm from the top of the ridge where thickened roots caused significant lower values averaging 6.47 as compared with the average of 15.87 from the surrounding Units in the slice. Root thickening in deep apical roots suggested aerenchyma formation promoted by a combination of saturated soil conditions in the root zone caused by inappropriate irrigation management and soil compaction. Fertilizer placement under the seedpiece should be a good alternative to increase potato nitrogen uptake under seepage irrigation.     

Plasticity in root system architecture of rice genotypes exhibited under different soil water distributions in soil profile

ABSTRACT

The root system architecture (RSA) has been reported to be determined by several root traits such as branching, elongation, and growth angle. This study aimed to evaluate the genotypic variation of plasticity in RSA in response to different soil water distributions in a soil profile. IR64 (shallow root system), YTH183 (adapted to rainfed lowland conditions due to high plasticity in root elongation), and Kinandang Patong (KP – deep root system) were grown in PVC root boxes for 34 days under continuously waterlogged conditions and with soil moisture fluctuations (SMF). For SMF, watering was done from the top of the root box (TI-SMF) or from the bottom of the root box (BI-SMF). A water gradient was observed more clearly in BI-SMF than in TI-SMF, while mean soil moisture content in the root box was kept at around 23% (v/v) after first irrigation in both SMF treatments. RSA changed drastically with SMF in all cultivars, all of which tended to shift root distribution to deeper soil layers in response to SMF. Such changes in RSA resulted from different degrees of plasticity exhibited mainly in nodal root and L-type lateral root development. YTH183 showed a greater ability to change its root growth angle and thus its root distribution in the deeper soil layer compared to IR64 and KP under SMF, indicating that YTH183 could help to improve RSA in cultivars adapted to SMF.     

苗期调亏灌溉对夏玉米植株抗倒伏性状的影响

针对黄淮海平原夏玉米生产中干旱和倒伏问题,选用浚单20和伟科702两个高产品种为材料,采取盆栽调亏灌溉的方法,在苗期设置4个干旱胁迫水平,并在拔节期复水至正常水平,研究苗期不同程度的水分亏缺对玉米植株抗倒伏性状及产量的影响。结果表明,轻度干旱胁迫能降低玉米乳熟期穗位系数及长粗比,增加茎粗系数、地上第3节茎秆的穿刺强度及茎秆拉力。此外,轻度干旱胁迫的气生根及总根条数、根干重和根冠比较对照也有明显提高。灌浆期单株总叶面积及产量随干旱胁迫呈先增高后降低的趋势,其中,千粒重的变化是造成产量差异的关键。苗期轻度干旱胁迫结合拔节期复水,可以改善玉米农艺性状,增强茎秆抗倒伏能力,提高玉米子粒产量。     

Physiology of the Potato: New Insights into Root System and Repercussions for Crop Management

Potato roots are concentrated mostly in the plow layer up to 30 cm in soil depth. Some roots extend up to 100 cm depth and the total root length throughout the soil profile reaches about 10–20 km m^?2 area. There are large differences in root mass (dry weight and length) in the plow layer between cultivars, breeding lines and wild relatives. The differences are generally stable across different environmental conditions, such as locations with different soil types, fertilizer rates and planting densities. Under favourable environmental conditions without severe shortage of water and nutrients, root mass differences between genotypes are related to maturity class: late genotypes continue root growth longer, and attain larger root mass and deeper rooting than early genotypes. Differences in root mass become clear at the start of flowering, much earlier than differences in shoot mass. Root mass is negatively correlated with early tuber bulking. However, root mass generally shows positive correlations with shoot mass and final tuber yield. Differences in root mass also exist amongst genotypes of the same maturity class. Using root mass in the plow layer and tuber yield as selection criteria, Konyu cultivars were bred in Japan. They showed significantly less reduction of leaf conductance and photosynthesis, leaf area and tuber yield than commercial cultivars under dry soil conditions. To assist breeding for root characters, new methods have been developed to assess the ability of roots to penetrate into hard soil layers using pots with paraffin-vaseline discs and the ability to absorb under low water potential in vitro. Physiological research on root characteristics contributed in the past, and will continue to do so in the future, to the development of new cultivars with high drought tolerance and to the improvement of irrigation practice.     

Effect of Soil Compaction on Dry Matter Production and Water Use of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Water Deficit Stress during the Reproductive Stage

Abstract

The effect of a long term of soil compaction on dry matter production (DMP) and water use in rice cultivated under limited water supply during the reproductive stage is unknown. Our objectives were to determine which of the transpiration (Tr) or water use efficiency (WUE) is dominant in determining DMP under compacted and desiccated soil conditions. When irrigation in the period around the reproductive stage was terminated in artificially compacted and non-compacted fields, the rate of suppression of DMP by soil compaction was similar in the three rice cultivars, but DMP was higher in drought resistant cultivars having deep root density at the heading stage. Six cultivars were grown in pots of 1.0 m in depth containing the soils of three levels of soil bulk density (SBD). Water supply was restricted by keeping the water table in the pot deep without irrigation during the reproductive stage. DMP and Tr in all cultivars decreased with increasing SBD, and a close relationship was seen between DMP and Tr. WUE was thus a fairly stable factor for all cultivars examined. Tr was positively correlated with root length density and was relatively maintained at a high SBD in drought-resistant cultivars having a higher root length density. We concluded that water shortage under compacted soil conditions during reproductive stage suppressed the DMP, and DMP suppression accompanied a reduction of Tr due to poor root development rather than the reduction of WUE. In the drought-resistant cultivars reduction of DMP was relatively small due to their highly developed root systems that allowed high water absorption from the deep layers in the compacted soil.     

Root characteristics of temperate pasture in New South Wales after grazing at three stocking rates for 30 years

The distribution of length, diameter, surface area and volume of roots was measured in northern New South Wales, Australia, under temperate pasture that had been previously grazed at low and high stocking rates for 30 years; these root characteristics were compared with those of roots under ungrazed pasture. The ungrazed pasture was dominated by Phalaris (Phalaris Aquatica), whereas annual grasses and dicotyledons were a large component of the pasture at low and high stocking rates. A fine-meshed (0.250 mm) sieve was used for separating the roots from the soil, and the root characteristics were measured using image analysis techniques. With this sieve size, root length densities were many times higher than published data for astures where a larger mesh sieve had been used for sample preparation. The lengths of root per unit of soil volume (root length densities) were high for all stocking rates and averaged 91 cm cm^?3 near the soil surface (0 – 5 cm) declining to 4.0 cm cm^?3 at the deepest depth measured (65–75 cm). There was a greater proportion of roots near the soil surface at the higher stocking rates. A greater proportion of fine roots occurred at the higher stocking rates, which was probably due to the differences in botanical composition. Reciprocal, power and logarithmic functions best described the distribution of root length density, root surface area density and root volume density, root surface area density and root volume desnity with depth.     

Every-other-furrow irrigation with different irrigation intervals for grain sorghum

The water stress effects caused by every-other-furrow irrigation on yield may be alleviated by more frequent irrigation intervals. This research was conducted to determine yield and water use efficiency of grain sorghum under fixed and variable every-other-furrow and every furrow irrigations at different irrigation intervals and shallow and deep water table conditions. Water needs of grain sorghum grown on a fine-texture soil may not be met by using Every-Other Furrow Irrigation (EOFI) especially under 15 and 20 day irrigation intervals. The water stress decreased the grain yield mainly through decreasing the number of grains per cluster and in a lesser degree by decrease in 1000-seed weight. The clay soil with a layer of high clay content at depth of 70-100 cm and shallow water table may restrict the root growth and consequently the longer irrigation intervals with greater soil water stress can cause lower grain yield in these conditions. However, more frequent EOFI using 10 day intervals has produced very similar results with only a marginal reduction in crop yield. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in grain yield between fixed and variable every-other -furrow irrigations. In general, at given applied water, the relative grain yield with respect to the maximum grain yield of sorghum at EOFI was higher than those at EFI. At relative applied water of 85% (mild deficit irrigation), EOFI may be recommended to obtain the same grain yield as that of EFI with full irrigation. Furthermore, it may result in 23% more grain yield than that obtained by EFI with the same amount of applied water as deficit irrigation.     

我国超级稻根系特性及根际生态研究现状与趋势

以超级稻为代表的一批超高产水稻研发成功使水稻单产获得大幅度提高。较大的根系生物量、根重密度、根长、根长密度和根直径,根系偏向纵深分布且土壤深层根系生物量增大是超级稻根系生物学主要特征;高的单株根系氧化力、总吸收表面积、活跃吸收表面积、根系细胞分裂素(玉米素与玉米素核苷)含量是超级稻扩库增产的重要根系生理基础。生产中的施肥管理、水分管理、种植方式和根际土壤生态环境pH、氧、微生物、氮素形态等均可显著影响水稻根系的生长发育。通过适当的技术措施调控水稻根际生态环境向有利于水稻生长生理需求方向发展,以促进水稻根系健壮生长,实现水稻增产。水稻高产群体根系构型的形成与根际土壤生态因子匹配原理与调控,高产水稻地下根系、根际生态因子与地上群体的互作机制与调控路径,水稻根系定量化等方面是今后水稻根系深入研究的主要方向。     

Assessment of different methods of rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation affecting growth parameters, soil chemical, biological, and microbiological properties, water saving, and grain yield in rice–rice system

Field experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 2008–2009, Kharif 2009 and Rabi 2009–2010, to investigate growth parameters, water-saving potential, root characteristics, chemical, biological, and microbial properties of rhizosphere soil, and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by comparing the plants grown with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods, with organic or organic + inorganic fertilization, against current recommended best management practices (BMP). All the growth parameters including plant height, effective tillers (10–45 %), panicle length, dry matter, root dry weight (24–57 %), and root volume (10–66 %) were found to be significantly higher with in SRI-organic + inorganic over BMP. With SRI-organic fertilization, growth parameters showed inconsistent results; however, root dry weight (3–77 %) and root volume (31–162 %) were found significantly superior compared to BMP. Grain yield was found significantly higher in SRI-organic + inorganic (12–23 and 4–35 % in the Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively), while with SRI-organic management, yield was found higher (4–34 %) only in the Rabi seasons compared to BMP. An average of 31 and 37 % of irrigation water were saved during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively, with both SRI methods of rice cultivation compared to BMP. Further, total nitrogen, organic carbon%, soil dehydrogenase, microbial biomass carbon, total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were found higher in the two SRI plots in comparison to BMP. It is concluded that SRI practices create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microbes to prosper, save irrigation water, and increase grain yield.     

Water Use by the Olive Tree

Summary

This is a review of water use by the olive tree, in which the most-relevant knowledge from the literature is combined with key results from experiments just finished or currently in progress. We describe the plant characteristics and mechanisms conferring drought tolerance on the olive tree. The root system functionality, hydraulic characteristics of the conductive system, leaf water relations, and transpiration behavior are considered. We explain the most-advanced techniques for optimizing irrigation, based on a more accurate calculation of the crop water needs. The crop responses to deficit irrigation strategies and to the use of wastewater for irrigation are also included.     

Drought-induced root plasticity of two upland NERICA varieties under conditions with contrasting soil depth characteristics

To identify differences in root plasticity patterns of two upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties, NERICA 1 and 4, in response to drought under conditions with contrasting soil profile characteristics, soil moisture gradients were imposed using a sloping bed system with depths ranging 30–65 cm and a line-source sprinkler system with a uniformly shallow soil layer of 20 cm depth. Varietal differences in shoot and root growths were identified only under moderate drought conditions, 11–18% v/v soil moisture content. Further, under moderate drought soil conditions where roots could penetrate into the deep soil layer, deep root development was greater in NERICA 4 than in NERICA 1, which contributed to maintaining dry matter production. However, under soil conditions with underground impediment to deep root development, higher shoot dry weight was noted for NERICA 1 than for NERICA 4 at 11–18% v/v soil moisture content, which was attributed to increased lateral root development in the shallow soil layer in NERICA 1. Enhanced lateral root development in the 0–20-cm soil layer was identified in NERICA 1 even under soil conditions without an impediment to deep root development; however, this did not contribute to maintaining dry matter production in upland rice. Thus, we show different root developmental traits associated with drought avoidance in the two NERICA varieties, and that desirable root traits for upland rice cultivation vary depending on the target soil environment, such as the distribution of soil moisture and root penetration resistance.     

滴灌条件下不同土壤质地对水稻苗期根系生长和分布的影响

【目的】研究滴灌条件下不同土壤质地对水稻苗期根系生长和分布的影响,揭示土壤质地对滴灌水稻苗期生长的重要作用,阐明滴灌水稻苗期生长发育机理。【方法】在石河子大学试验场采用盆栽土柱试验,设置重壤土、轻壤土、砂土共3个处理,每个处理重复3次,在播后10、20、30、40 d取样,对比不同处理出苗率、根系形态、生物量、根系活力、根系分布等指标,分析不同土壤条件对滴灌水稻苗期根系生长及分布的影响。【结果】砂土平均出苗率比重壤土、轻壤土分别高15.21和4.6个百分点;计算各项指标40 d平均值可知,重壤土处理根数比轻壤土、砂土处理分别高26.73%和15.67%;重壤土处理平均根长比轻壤土、砂土处理分别高4.52%和13.92%;重壤土处理根系体积比轻壤土、砂土处理分别高18.53%和43.15%;砂土处理最长根长比重壤土、轻壤土处理分别高38.44%和12.69%;重壤土处理总生物量比轻壤土、砂土处理分别高19.76%和41.48%。重壤土处理根系生物量比轻壤土、砂土处理分别高14.98%和35.83%。苗期根系活力表现为重壤土>轻壤土>砂土,重壤土处理40 d内平均根系活力比轻壤土、砂土处理分别高3.54%和13.91%;滴灌水稻苗期根系分布情况表现为前期水稻根系集中在0-5 cm土层中,后期根系开始逐渐分布于0-20 cm土层。【结论】不同的土壤质地对滴灌水稻出苗率、根系形态、生物量、根系活力和根系分布影响显著。因此,滴灌水稻的种植推广过程中,不同土壤质地应采取不同的播种量和相应的栽培措施,才能达到滴灌水稻的优质、高产和高效的目标。     

Root System Development of Cassava and Sweetpotato during Early Growth Stage as Affected by High Root Zone Temperature

Abstract

Root zone temperature (RZT) is an important factor that affects the establishment of crops in the field. This study was conducted to determine the effect of high RZT on the root system development of cassava and sweetpotato and to assess the response of each root system component of cassava and sweetpotato to high RZTs. Cassava and sweetpotato are widely grown crops in soils that are prone to reach a high temperature especially during the dry season. The plant root system was the primary object of investigation in this study. Cassava and sweetpotato cuttings were grown in pots for 20 days in a growth chamber where two different soil temperature regimes were maintained : 40°C (high RZT) and 25°C (normal). High RZT significantly decreased the total length of the adventitious roots (ARs) and the number and total length of the first order lateral roots (LRs) in both cassava and sweetpotato. Reduction in these root growth parameters was greater in the latter than in the former. High RZT caused a marked increase in the number of the second order LRs in sweetpotato and tended to enhance the formation of the third order LRs. Under high RZT, in cassava, a higher proportion of the total number of ARs and the first order LRs, and thus, a greater fraction of the total root length came from the lower nodes of the cuttings that were buried deep in the soil at planting. In sweetpotato, a greater proportion of the total number and total length of the ARs and the first order LRs was observed in the nodes of the cuttings that were buried closer to the soil surface than those buried deeper. An opposite trend was evident in both cassava and sweetpotato grown under a normal RZT. In the screenhouse experiment where plants were grown for 12 days, root growth of cassava was significantly reduced by the high RZT that prevailed when the soil was not covered with mulch materials. The root development in the mulched soil was similar to that under normal RZT in the growth chamber.