Faba bean root growth in a Vertisol: Tillage effects

Abstract Aims Biopores offer favorable chemical, biological and physical properties for root growth in untilled soil layers. There they are considered as nutrient “hotspots” with preferential root growth. However, the literature lacks a quantification of metabolic activity due to nutrient acquisition of main crops while growing in the biopore sheath. Methods A pot experiment was performed to map the metabolic activity of roots, as indicated by pH change. The roots of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) were growing through the biopore sheath influenced by an earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) or a taproot (Cichorium intybus L.), in comparison to subsoil without a pore (bulk soil). pH sensitive planar optodes were applied in order to image a planar section of the sheath, while preserving an intact biopore sheath during the experiment. Results Roots were first found in the field of view in worm biopore then root biopore and bulk soil. At time of the first measurement the pH value was highest in worm biopore sheath (LS-Mean±SEM: 7.16a±0.11), followed by root biopore sheath (6.99ab±0.12) and bulk soil (6.61b±0.12). In spring oilseed rape a significant alkalization (+0.80 Δ pH) was found over time in bulk soil. Faba bean significantly acidified the root biopore sheath (-0.73 Δ pH). Spring barley showed no significant pH changes. Conclusions The results of the current study reveal a trend of faster root growth through biopores and a higher initial pH value in the biopore sheaths compared to the bulk soil. Biopores serve not only as an elongation path for roots, but their sheaths also provide an environment for root activity in the subsoil.

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Associations of biophysical factors with faba bean root rot (Fusarium solani) epidemics in the northeastern highlands of Ethiopia

Crop Protection ◽

10.1016/j.cropro.2013.05.003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 39-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Eshetu Belete ◽

Amare Ayalew ◽

Seid Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Faba Bean ◽

Fusarium Solani ◽

Root Rot ◽

Bean Root ◽

Biophysical Factors

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Aflatoxin B1 influence on excised soya-bean root growth, 14C-leucine uptake and incorporation

Mycopathologia ◽

10.1007/bf00429599 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 66 (1-2) ◽

pp. 91-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

J. W. Young ◽

W. V. Dashek ◽

G. C. Llewellyn

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Aflatoxin B1 ◽

Soya Bean ◽

Leucine Uptake ◽

Bean Root

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Essential Oils and Trichoderma Harzianum as an Integrated Control Measure Against Faba Bean Root Rot Pathogens

Journal of Plant Protection Research ◽

10.2478/v10045-011-0050-8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 306-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Mokhtar Abdel-Kader ◽

Nehal El-Mougy ◽

Sirag Lashin

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Faba Bean ◽

Trichoderma Harzianum ◽

Root Rot ◽

Mycelial Growth ◽

Control Measure ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Yield Increase ◽

Bean Root

Essential Oils andTrichoderma Harzianumas an Integrated Control Measure Against Faba Bean Root Rot PathogensCarnation, caraway, thyme, peppermint and geranium essential oils have been found to have inhibitory effects against the mycelial growth ofFusarium solani,Rhizoctonia solani,Sclerotium rolfsiiandMacrophomina phaseolinaunderin vitroconditions. Complete inhibition of fungal growth was observed with the use of 4% carnation and geranium oils. Mycelial growth of the tested fungi showed more sensitivity to high concentrations of thyme than to caraway and peppermint oils. Moreover, essential oils used to coat seeds resulted in a significant reduction of root rot incidence of bean, at both pre- and post-emergence stages under greenhouse conditions. Under field conditions seeds coated with essential oils at a concentration of 4% sown in soil treated with the bio-agentTrihoderma harzianum, gave pronounced protection to emerged bean seeds against the invasion of root rot pathogenic fungi. Compared to the control, the above treatment resulted in a reduction of disease incidence at the pre-emergence stage. This reduction was calculated to be between 47.3 and 55.4% compared with a 16.1% reduction with the use of the Rizolex-T treatment. At the post-emergence stage, all applied treatments were able to reduce the percentage of root-rot incidence. Reduction ranged between 41.4 and 47.1% over the untreated control. Reduction in disease incidence was reflected in a yield increase of 15.1-28.8% and 40.1-50%, in seeds coated with one of the different essential oils, or combined withT. harzianumsoil treatments, in the respective order. Seeds coated with the fungicide Rhizolex-T caused a yield increase estimated as 11.3% over the check treatment. These results show that application of essential oils in integration with the bio-agentT. harzianummay be considered as an applicable, safe and cost-effective method for controlling such soilborne diseases.

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