微垄覆膜沟播对阴山丘陵地区旱作马铃薯土壤水分及产量的影响

阴山丘陵地区土壤水分状况是限制该地区马铃薯发展的主要因素,如何对天然降雨进行高效、永续利用,提高马铃薯对自然降水的利用率,是该地区马铃薯生产发展的战略考虑。本研究提出了微垄覆膜沟播的种植模式,结果表明:(1)微垄覆膜沟播种植模式明显提高土壤0~60 cm土层贮水量,在马铃薯需水关键时期,出苗后35 d和55 d,微垄覆膜沟播土壤贮水量分别比平作覆膜和露地平作提高25.68%、14.26%和28.92%、18.47%。(2)微垄覆膜沟播种植模式可明显提高马铃薯产量及对降雨的利用效率。(3)微垄覆膜沟播种植模式下的马铃薯每公顷吸收的水分数量比平作覆膜和露地平作分别高25.70%和33.52%。因此,微垄覆膜沟播种植模式可以明显提高马铃薯产量及对自然降水的利用效率,可作为发展内蒙古阴山丘陵地区旱作马铃薯的有效途径。     

地表覆盖和施氮对冬小麦干物质和氮素积累与转移的影响

在黄土高原南部旱区,通过田间试验研究了地表覆盖在不同氮水平下对冬小麦生长和氮素累积及转移的影响。结果表明,覆膜显著增加冬小麦各生育期干物质的积累,提高干物质转移量或花后干物质累积量;覆草显著增加生长后期干物质累积量,随种植年限的增加,覆草能显著增加冬小麦生物产量和子粒产量,其增产作用与覆膜无显著差异。覆膜亦能显著增加冬小麦各生育期氮素的积累,提高氮素转移量;覆草显著增加了生长后期氮的累积,随种植年限的增加,覆草对地上部吸氮量和子粒吸氮量的影响与覆膜无显著差异。施用氮肥显著增加了各生育期干物质和氮素的累积,促进花后干物质的累积和花前累积氮的再转移,显著提高了冬小麦地上部和子粒吸氮量及生物产量和子粒产量。     

钾肥、覆膜对马铃薯硒素吸收分配及硒肥吸收率的影响

采用田间试验方法研究了钾肥及覆膜对马铃薯硒素吸收分配的影响.结果表明:地膜覆盖及钾肥的施用提高了收获期马铃薯全株及块茎干物质产量;钾肥的施用显著提高马铃薯全株及块茎硒素含量与吸收累积量.钾肥与硒肥配合施用,使块茎硒素含量达0.148 mg·kg-1的富硒水平,对块茎硒素的富集有正交互效应,使收获期全株硒肥吸收率达17.8％,比单施硒肥提高1.5个百分点,块茎硒肥吸收率7.1％,提高2.7个百分点.覆膜对马铃薯全株、块茎硒含量及全株硒素吸收量无显著影响,但可显著提高块茎硒素累积量.覆膜硒肥配合,收获期全株硒肥吸收率20.0％,提高2.2个百分点,块茎硒肥吸收率10.1％,提高3.1个百分点.覆膜可显著促进硒素在体内由茎叶向块茎的转移.收获期,覆膜硒素运转率53％,提高10.1个百分点.     

覆膜与生物炭对青藏高原马铃薯水分利用效率和产量的影响

生物炭具有比表面积大,吸附力强等特点,该研究尝试在地膜覆盖基础上引入生物炭技术,利用生物炭的保水保肥效应以及固碳培肥效果,解决地膜覆膜带来的土壤地力下降及后期减产问题。2019年通过设置施炭(B)、覆膜(M)、施炭+覆膜(M+B)和对照(CK)共4个处理的大田试验,探究覆膜和生物炭对青海省东部农业区马铃薯生长、耗水特征和产量的影响。结果表明:块茎膨大期和淀粉积累期是植株干物质量增加的主要时期,覆膜在块茎膨大期即有显著的促进效果,生物炭仅在淀粉积累后期和成熟期促进效果显著。施炭和覆膜均能显著提高收获期植株总干物质量,施炭比覆膜的根冠比显著提高。马铃薯苗期耗水量最高,在块茎膨大期以前日均耗水量在3 mm/d以上。覆膜显著增加了作物总耗水量和土壤储水消耗量,总耗水量比对照多出35mm,施炭和覆膜均显著提高了水分利用效率。施炭和覆膜均能显著提高马铃薯块茎产量(P0.05),覆膜显著增加了大薯的数量和产量。无论施炭与否,覆膜均显著增产,而施炭仅在不覆膜下显著增产,覆膜增产效应是施炭的2.2倍。覆膜能显著提高马铃薯净收益,但施炭降低了净收益,主要是由于生物炭的成本较高。该研究为青藏高原东部农区马铃薯高产栽培提供科学依据。     

追氮和垄膜沟播种植对晋南旱地冬小麦氮素利用的影响

在自然降水条件下,通过2年大田试验研究了追氮、垄膜沟播种植对晋南旱地冬小麦生育期地上部氮素吸收累积,02 m土层氮素残留、损失及氮肥利用率和氮素平衡的影响。结果表明: 追氮和垄膜沟播种植均可显著提高旱地冬小麦地上部氮素累积量和氮肥利用率,苗期和返青至抽穗期是冬小麦氮素吸收累积的两个高峰期,分别占到最大累积量的20%46%和29%57%。追施氮的利用率高于基施氮的利用率; 随施氮量增加,土壤残留无机氮（Nmin）增加,主要集中在060 cm土层,2040 cm土层为硝态氮积累的峰值区,垄膜沟播种植可以减少土壤残留无机氮（Nmin）,但增加了氮的表观损失量; 冬小麦生长季土壤氮输出以表观损失为主,氮肥表观损失率在4087%7629%之间,且主要发生在播前至返青期。本试验条件下,综合氮素吸收累积、土壤残留、氮肥利用率及氮素平衡等因素,旱地冬小麦应采取氮肥后移顶凌追施和垄膜沟播相配套的种植方式。     

覆膜和垄作对黄土高原马铃薯产量及水分利用效率的影响

在大田设置不同覆盖方式和沟垄种植试验,以露地平作为对照,通过测定不同处理下马铃薯的出苗率、产量和土壤含水量等指标,分析覆膜和垄作的影响效果。结果表明,(1)覆膜处理马铃薯出苗率和株高明显高于对照(P0.05),其中,覆膜垄作效果最明显,比对照高出11.72%~14.94%和10.65~12.35cm。(2)与对照相比,覆膜处理均能提高马铃薯田的土壤含水量和水分利用效率(P0.05),覆膜垄作比覆膜平作效果更显著(P0.05)。(3)覆膜处理可明显提高马铃薯产量(P0.05),再加上垄作对马铃薯薯块的增产效果更明显。所有处理均提高了马铃薯的商品率(P0.05),覆膜垄作处理比覆膜平作提高幅度更大。因此,在黄土高原旱地采用覆膜垄作方式种植马铃薯可显著增加产量并提高水分利用效率,而全覆单垄种植方式的经济效益更高。     

氮肥形态对马铃薯氮素积累与分配的影响

采用田间试验的方法,研究了不同氮肥形态对氮素在马铃薯不同器官中的吸收和运转分配及产量的影响。试验结果表明:铵态氮肥对马铃薯地上干物质积累量的增加作用最明显,施氮处理马铃薯块茎干物质积累量比对照增加50.37%～71.38%;马铃薯各器官中含氮量随生育期推进逐渐下降,其中,茎和叶下降幅度较大;马铃薯各器官中氮含量生育前期表现为叶片>地上茎>根,进入块茎形成期以后,则叶片>根>地上茎>块茎。施氮在马铃薯生育前期有利于茎对氮素的吸收和储存,后期又可以促进茎中的氮素向叶片和块茎转移。施氮各处理产量较对照增加19.28%～63.86%,NH4+-N处理对氮的吸收、积累与分配影响最大,且产量最高,达到39 410.2 kg.hm-2。     

旱地垄沟覆膜栽培对土壤硝酸盐时空分布和玉米产量的影响

通过大田试验,考察了旱地垄沟覆膜栽培对土壤硝酸盐时空分布和玉米生物性状及产量的影响。试验设计了垄沟覆膜、平作不覆膜、平作覆膜和裸地对照4个处理,并对其土壤水分、硝酸盐的时空分布和玉米产量进行研究。结果表明:在整个玉米生长季,垄沟覆膜栽培模式下土壤0~40 cm土层含水量显著高于平作不覆膜;NO_3~--N主要集中在0~40 cm土层,且垄沟覆膜-垄上NO_3~--N表聚现象比其它处理更明显,10 cm处垄上NO_3~--N含量是沟内的1.6倍、平作不覆膜的2倍;垄沟覆膜和平作覆膜比平作不覆膜处理单株干物质量分别增加了36.15%、16.11%;单株含氮量分别增加了13.97%、3.59%;垄沟覆膜产量高于其他处理。垄沟覆膜栽培能够在保持作物生长状况良好,获得较高产量的同时,增加作物对氮素的吸收利用,同时增加NO_3~--N的表层累积,将其保持在根区,从而降低了NO_3~--N淋洗的发生,降低环境风险,是旱区获得经济和环境双重效益的玉米栽培模式。     

马铃薯专用中耕培土犁的应用及增产效果

中耕培土是马铃薯生产的关键耕作技术,影响马铃薯的产量和品质。传统的中耕培土犁培土效果达不到当前生产作业要求,限制了马铃薯产业发展。为解决该问题,该研究根据马铃薯生产现状,应用自主研发马铃薯专用中耕培土犁,并以传统中耕培土犁为对照,开展不同垄距培土犁培土效果对比试验,设置垄距为65、70、80和90 cm,分别在马铃薯苗期及现蕾期进行2次培土,探讨马铃薯专用培土犁的最佳培土模式。研究结果表明:应用马铃薯专用中耕培土犁培土,垄体明显增大,垄体土壤质量高于对照21.7%~33.4%,有利于马铃薯生育期地下干物质的积累,提高马铃薯匍匐茎数;有利于地下薯块的增长,大、中薯块茎产量增加,小薯块茎所占比率有所减少;马铃薯产量两年平均为38 215.0~43 131.2 kg/hm~2,比对照提高1.1%~7.3%,商品薯产量为33 788.9~39 346.7 kg/hm~2,比对照提高4.1%~11.2%,青薯产量为670.7~834.3 kg/hm~2,比对照降低18.7%~28.8%;其中垄距为80 cm培土处理马铃薯产量最高、青薯产量最低,均值分别为43 131.2和670.7 kg/hm~2,为马铃薯专用中耕培犁的最佳培土模式。该研究可为马铃薯生产提供指导。     

垄沟集雨覆盖对旱作马铃薯块茎淀粉合成关键酶活性、基因表达及淀粉累积的影响

为探讨垄沟集雨覆盖栽培对旱作马铃薯块茎形成过程中淀粉合成关键酶活性、基因表达及淀粉累积的影响,以马铃薯栽培品种青薯9号为材料,设置全膜双垄和地膜垄作覆盖栽培模式,以露地平播为对照,测定马铃薯块茎形成过程中淀粉合成关键酶活性、基因表达及淀粉累积指标。结果表明,从块茎发育全过程来看,全膜双垄和地膜垄作覆盖栽培马铃薯可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性分别较露地平播显著提高77.70%、22.63%,可溶性淀粉合成酶SSIII基因表达量分别较露地平播显著提高32.26%、119.35%,同时,ADP-葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPP)、颗粒结合型淀粉合成酶(GBSS)活性和ADP-葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶AGPase、可溶性淀粉合成酶SSII、颗粒结合型淀粉合成酶GBSSI、淀粉分支酶SBEI、淀粉分支酶SBEII基因表达量均明显降低,而淀粉分支酶(SBE)活性无显著变化;全膜双垄覆盖栽培马铃薯总淀粉含量、直链淀粉含量及直/支链淀粉比较露地平播分别提高5.04%、17.57%和27.81%,达到显著水平,而地膜垄作明显降低了马铃薯总淀粉含量、直链淀粉含量及直/支链淀粉比;SSS活性与GBSSI基因表达量呈显著负相关,与直链淀粉含量及直/支链淀粉比呈显著正相关,其他淀粉合成关键酶活性均与基因表达量、淀粉累积指标无明显相关性。本研究结果对筛选青海东部旱区马铃薯适宜的淀粉优质生产措施具有重要意义。     

Yield and Yield Components of Dry Bean Genotypes as Influenced by Phosphorus Fertilization

Dry bean is an important legume for South American population, and phosphorus (P) deficiency is the most yield-limiting nutrient for crop production in South American soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating influence of P fertilization on grain yield and yield components of 30 dry bean genotypes. The P levels used were 0 mg P kg^?1 (natural level of the soil) and 200 mg P kg^?1 applied with triple superphosphate fertilizer. Yield and yield components were significantly influenced with P as well as genotype treatments. The P?×?genotype interactions were significant for yield as well as yield components, indicating different responses of genotypes at two P levels. Root dry weight and maximum root length were also significantly increased with the addition of P fertilization. There were also significant differences among the genotypes in the growth of root system. Based on grain yield efficiency index (GYEI), genotypes were classified as P efficient, moderately efficient, and inefficient. Among 30 genotypes, 17 were classified as efficient, 12 were classified as moderately efficient, and 1 was classified as inefficient. Yield components such as pods per plant and seeds per pod were having significant positive association with grain yield. In addition, grain harvest index (GHI) was also having significant linear association with grain yield. Hence, it is possible to improve grain yield of dry bean in Brazilian Oxisol with the addition of adequate rate of P fertilization as well as use of P-efficient genotypes.     

黄土旱塬不同氮肥用量下冬小麦干物质累积和氮素吸收利用过程研究

利用旱作长期定位施肥试验研究了不同氮肥用量对冬小麦干物质累积和氮素吸收利用的影响,结果显示,不同处理下干物质累积变化趋势都呈"S"型曲线,且冬小麦各生育期干物质量,随氮肥用量的增加而增大,说明氮肥对促进冬小麦干物质累积作用显著。干物质累积速率均呈现明显的单峰曲线,拔节-灌浆阶段累积速率最大,是干物质累积的重要时期。小麦植株含氮量和氮素累积量都随氮肥用量增加而升高,在冬前-拔节期和开花-灌浆期两个阶段,冬小麦植株氮素累积量较大,累积速率快,是氮素吸收利用的两个关键阶段。     

Molybdenum Requirements of Dry Bean with and without Liming

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for crop plants, and its deficiency has been reported in many parts of the world. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with the objective to determine Mo requirements of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown on a Brazilian Oxisol with and without liming. The Mo treatments were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg kg^?1. In one experiment dolomitic lime was added at the rate of 2.5 g per kg of soil before the application of Mo treatments and incubated 5 weeks before sowing. In other experiments, Mo treatments were same as the lime-added experiment but no lime was added. Most of the growth, yield, and yield components were significantly increased with the addition of Mo in both the experiment. Growth, yield, and yield components were increased in a quadratic fashion when Mo was applied in the range of 0 to 20 mg kg^?1. Maximum shoot dry weight was obtained with the addition of 17 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment with Mo rates without lime and 9.69 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment of Mo rates with lime application. Maximum seed yield was obtained with the application of 10.48 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that did not receive lime along with Mo treatments and 10.28 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that received lime along with Mo treatments. Similarly, the maximum number of pods per plant was obtained with the addition of 9.33 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that did not receive lime and 8.83 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that did receive lime. Maximum root length was obtained with the addition of 12.38 Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that did not receive lime and 9.75 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that received lime. Maximum root dry weight was obtained with the addition of 11.67 mg Mo kg^?1 in the experiment that did not receive lime and 9.28 mg Mo in the experiment that received lime. Soil properties determined after harvest of dry bean plants were not influenced significantly with the addition of Mo in the Oxisol under investigation.     

Root growth,nutrient uptake and use efficiency by roots of tropical legume cover crops as influenced by phosphorus fertilization

The root is an important organ which supplies water and nutrients to growing plants. Data related to root growth and nutrient uptake by tropical legume cover crops are limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate root growth of tropical legume cover crops and nutrient uptake and use efficiency under different phosphorus (P) levels. The P levels used were 0 (low), 100 (medium) and 200 (high) mg kg^?1 of soil and 5 cover crops were evaluated. Root dry weight, maximum root length, specific root length were significantly influenced by P and cover crop treatments. Maximum values of these root growth parameters were achieved with the addition of 100 mg P kg^?1 soil. The P X cover crops interaction for all the macro and micronutrients, except manganese (Mn) was significant, indicating variation in uptake pattern of these nutrients by cover crops with the variation in P rates. Overall, uptake pattern of macronutrients was in the order of nitrogen>calcium>potassium>magnesium>phosphorus (N > Ca > K > Mg > P) and micronutrient uptake pattern was in the order of iron>manganese>zinc>copper (Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu). Cover crops which produced maximum root dry weight also accumulated higher amount of nutrients, including N compared to cover crops which produced lower root dry weight. Higher uptake of N compared to other nutrients by cover crops indicated that use of cover crops in the cropping systems can reduce loss of nitrate (NO₃^?) from soil-plant systems. Increase in root length and root dry weight with the addition of P can improve nutrient uptake from the soil and less loss of macro and micronutrients from the soil-plant systems.     

Growth of Tropical Legume Cover Crops as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilization and Rhizobia

Tropical legume cover crops are important components in cropping systems because of their role in improving soil quality. Information is limited on the influence of nitrogen (N) fertilization on growth of tropical legume cover crops grown on Oxisols. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of N fertilization with or without rhizobial inoculation on growth and shoot efficiency index of 10 important tropical cover crops. Nitrogen treatment were (i) 0 mg N kg^?1 (control or N₀), (ii) 0 mg N kg^?1 + inoculation with Bradyrhizobial strains (N₁), (iii) 100 mg N kg^?1 + inoculation with Bradyrhizobial strains (N₂), and (iv) 200 mg N kg^?1 of soil (N₃). The N?×?cover crops interactions were significant for shoot dry weight, root dry weight, maximal root length, and specific root length, indicating that cover crop performance varied with varying N rates and inoculation treatments. Shoot dry weight is considered an important growth trait in cover crops and, overall, maximal shoot dry weight was produced at 100 mg N kg^?1 + inoculation treatment. Based on shoot dry-weight efficiency index, cover crops were classified as efficient, moderately efficient, and inefficient in N-use efficiency. Overall, the efficient cover crops were lablab, gray velvet bean, jack bean, and black velvet bean and inefficient cover crops were pueraria, calopo, crotalaria, smooth crotalaria, and showy crotalaria. Pigeonpea was classified as moderately efficient in producing shoot dry weight.     

Nutrient Uptake and Use Efficiency of Dry Bean in Tropical Lowland Soil

Dry bean is an important source of protein for the population of South America, and yield of this legume is very low in this continent. Knowledge of nutrient uptake and use efficiency of a crop is fundamental to improve yield. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate growth, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. BRS Valente) during the growth cycle. Plant samples were collected at 15, 30, 45, 60, 73, and 94 days after sowing. Root dry weight, maximum root length, shoot dry weight, and number of trifoliates were significantly increased in a quadratic fashion with the advancement of plant age. Root dry weight and number of trifoliates had significant positive association with shoot dry weight. Uptake of nutrients in the grain was in the order of nitrogen (N) > potassium (K) > calcium (Ca) > magnesium (Mg) > phosphorus (P) > iron (Fe) > manganese (Mn) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu). Hence, it can be concluded the N requirements for bean is greatest and Cu is minimal compared to other essential nutrients for grain yield. Uptake efficiency for root, shoot, and grain production was in the order of P > Mg > Ca > K > N > Cu > Zn > Mn > Fe. The greatest P-use efficiency among macro- and micronutrients can be considered a positive aspect of mineral nutrition of bean, because recovery efficiency of P in acidic Inceptsols is less than 20%.     

Influence of nitrogen application on dry biomass allocation and translocation in two maize varieties under short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering periods of drought

Plants have evolved different mechanisms to survive under stress conditions. This field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of nitrogen (N) application on dry biomass allocation and translocation in two maize varieties under short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering period of drought. Two maize varieties, ‘Pioneer 30B80? and ‘Suwan 4452? receiving N at 0 (control), 160 (optimal) and 320 (supra-optimal) kg ha^?1 were subjected to short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering periods of drought. Prolonged bracketing flowering period of drought had more suppressive effect on anthesis-silking interval, dry matter allocation and translocation, leaf greenness, contribution of current assimilates to grain (CCAG), kernel number, kernel weight and kernel yield of two maize varieties than a short pre-anthesis drought. Nitrogen application at optimal level was the best for all traits, except CCAG. The maize variety ‘Pioneer 30B80? performed better under both drought types due to more root xylem vessels of large size and more accumulation of dry matter in leaves and roots than the variety ‘Suwan 4452?. Therefore, the variety ‘Pioneer 30B80? may be planted in drought prone environments and may be used in breeding program aimed at developing drought-tolerant cultivars.     

日光温室芹菜外观形态及干物质积累分配模拟模型

为实现日光温室芹菜外观形态与干物质积累分配预测。该研究依据芹菜(Apium graveolens L.)生长发育的光温反应特性,以‘尤文图斯’为试验品种,利用2年2茬分期播种试验观测数据,依据温室芹菜外观形态生长与关键气象因子(温度和辐射)的关系,以单株辐热积(Photo-ThermalIndex,PTI)为自变量构建了外观形态模拟模型;并建立了基于PTI的干物质分配模拟模型;结合叶面积指数模拟模块、光合作用和呼吸作用模拟模块,构建了干物质积累模拟模型;结合各器官各个发育阶段内的相对含水量,可计算鲜物质积累模拟模型。基于各子模块共同组成了日光温室芹菜外观形态及干物质积累分配模拟模型,确定了模型品种参数,利用独立试验数据对模型进行验证。结果表明,1)在外观形态模拟模型中,对根长、主茎茎粗、主茎茎长、株高、整枝和自然管理方式下叶面积指数(Leaf Area Index,LAI)形态指标均方根误差(Root Mean Square Error,RMSE)分别为2.46 cm、1.49 mm、6.72 cm、11.08 cm、0.74 m~2/m~2和0.77 m~2/m~2,归一化均方根误差(Normalized Root Mean Square Error,NRMSE)分别在16.63%～20.63%之间。2)在干物质分配模拟模型中,各器官的干物质分配指数NRMSE在8.24%～27.19%之间,RMSE在0.60%～7.01%之间。3)在干物质积累模拟模型中,不同器官(根、茎、叶、总茎、总叶、主茎、叶柄、整枝和自然管理方式下地上部)的干物质质量RMSE在3.85～85.80 g/m~2之间,NRMSE分别为14.21%～23.13%之间,说明干物质积累模拟模型对不同器官的干物质模拟均有较高的模拟效果。表明模型能够较准确模拟芹菜外观形态与干物质积累分配,系统化定量地表现出日光温室芹菜的生长动态过程。     

渭北旱原农业资源高效利用模式和技术措施

针对渭北旱原地域辽阔,土地资源丰富,光热资源充足,但降水有限,且年季分布不均,旱灾发生频繁,生态环境脆弱,土壤瘠薄,资源利用率低,土地生产力低等客观条件,陕西省农科院在合阳甘井建立旱地农业研究试验站,长期进行了渭北旱原资源高效利用模式和旱地农业可持续发展攻关研究,先后构建了多种资源高效开发利用模式和与此相适应的技术体系。实践证明,该项目研究成果对消除这一地区贫困,保证粮食供给,减少和控制环境污染,提高土地生产力,优化农田生态,合理利用自然资源等有重要作用。     

Root Growth,Nutrient Uptake,and Nutrient-Use Efficiency by Roots of Tropical Legume Cover Crops as Influenced by Phosphorus Fertilization

Roots are important organs that supply water and nutrients to growing plants. Data related to root growth and nutrient uptake by tropical legume cover crops are limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate root growth of tropical legume cover crops and nutrient uptake and use efficiency under different phosphorus (P) levels. The P levels used were 0 (low), 100 (medium), and 200 (high) mg kg^?1 of soil, and five cover crops were evaluated. Root dry weight, maximum root length, and specific root length were significantly influenced by P and cover crop treatments. Maximum values of these root growth parameters were achieved with the addition of 100 mg P kg^?1 soil. The P?×?cover crops interactions for all the macro- and micronutrients, except manganese (Mn), were significant, indicating variation in uptake pattern of these nutrients by cover crops with the variation in P rates. Overall, uptake pattern of macronutrients was in the order of nitrogen (N) > calcium (Ca) > potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > P and micronutrient uptake pattern was in the order of iron (Fe) > Mn > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu). Cover crops which produced maximum root dry weight also accumulated greater amount of nutrients, including N, compared to cover crops, which produced lower root dry weight. Greater uptake of N compared to other nutrients by cover crops indicated that use of cover crops in the cropping systems could reduce loss of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) from soil–plant systems. Increase in root length and root dry weight with the addition of P can improve nutrient uptake from the soil and lessen loss of macro- and micronutrients from the soil–plant systems.