scholarly journals Root Development Patterns in Field Grown Peach Trees

1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
W.V. Welker
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Deep Roots ◽  
Development Patterns ◽  
Peach Trees

The objective was to determine the interrelationship between root growth and plant available soil water (PAW) for young, nonbearing, and mature fruiting peach trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch) over 7 years. Root growth observed with minirhizotrons indicated that young, nonbearing trees developed new white roots throughout the growing season. The pattern of new white root growth became bimodal when the trees fruited. White root production in mature trees appeared in March, preceding budbreak, ceased in June, resumed following fruitremoval in August, and persisted through January. The appearance of white roots was inversely related to the presence of fruit and was not correlated to PAW levels in the 0 to 90 cm depth. The lack of root growth response to PAW levels was attributed to a root system that penetrated the soil to depths beyond our zone of sampling. Circumstantial evidence suggests that deep roots help maintain the surface root system when the surface soil dries.

The root growth response to heterogeneous nitrate supply differs for Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus pilosus

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Dunbabin ◽  
Z. Rengel ◽  
A. Diggle
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Lupinus Angustifolius ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
First Order ◽  
Tap Root

Little is known about the ability of legume root systems to respond to the heterogeneous supply of nitrate. A split-root nutrient solution experiment was set up to compare the root growth response of 2 lupin species, Lupinus angustifolius L. (dominant tap root and primary lateral system) and L. pilosus Murr. (minor tap root and well-developed lateral root system), to differentially supplied nitrate. These 2 species represent the extremes of the root morphology types present across the lupin germplasm. Nutrient solution containing low (250 M) or high (750 M) nitrate was supplied either uniformly, or split (high and low) between the upper and lower root system. The average growth rate and total root length of L. pilosus was 1.7 times that of L. angustifolius. For both species, the increased proliferation of roots in a high nitrate zone was accompanied by a decrease in root growth in the low nitrate zone, giving approximately the same total growth as the uniform low nitrate treatment. This correlative growth rate response was 15% larger for the first-order branches of L. pilosus than L. angustifolius. While few second-order branches grew for L. angustifolius, the second-order laterals of L. pilosus showed a 2-fold correlative root growth and branching response to the split treatments, with no difference in growth between the uniform high and low nitrate treatments. The second-order laterals thus proliferated in response to the differential supply of nitrate and not the absolute concentration. While the growth rate and branching of the second-order laterals of L. pilosus exhibited a typical correlative response, first-order branching was inhibited in all split treatments, regardless of whether the roots were in the high or low nitrate zone. This response was not seen in L. angustifolius. The difference in the root growth response of the 2 root system types to differentially supplied nitrate suggests a potential in the lupin germplasm for developing a line capable of greater nitrate capture from the soil profile.

scholarly journals Sod Competition in Peach Production: II. Establishment Beneath Mature Trees

1996 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 670-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
W.V. Welker
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Light Penetration ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Poa Trivialis ◽  
Peach Trees

Planting sod beneath peach trees (Prunus persica) to control excessive vegetative growth was evaluated from 1987 to 1993 in three field studies. Peach trees were established and maintained in 2.5-m-wide vegetation-free strips for 3 years, and then sod was planted beneath the trees and maintained for 5 to 7 years. Reducing the vegetation-free area beneath established peach trees to a 30- or 60-cm-wide herbicide strip with three grass species (Festuca arundinacae, Festuca rubra, Poa trivialis), reduced total pruning weight/tree in 5 of 16 study-years and weight of canopy suckers in 6 of 7 study-years, while increasing light penetration into the canopy. Fruit yield was reduced by planting sod beneath peach trees in 5 of 18 study-years; however, yield efficiency of total fruit and large fruit (kg yield/cm2 trunk area) were not reduced in one study and in only 1 year in the other two studies. Planting sod beneath peach trees increased available soil water content in all years, and yield efficiency based on evapotranspiration (kg yield/cm soil water use plus precipitation) was the same or greater for trees with sod compared to the 2.5-m-wide herbicide strip. Planting sod beneath peach trees has the potential to increase light penetration into the canopy and may be appropriate for high-density peach production systems where small, efficient trees are needed.

scholarly journals Response of Potted Peach Trees to Pruning and Grass Competition

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1209-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Tworkoski
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Leaf Water Potential ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Peach Trees

Peach [(Prunus persica (L.) Batsch., `Rutgers Redleaf'] trees were grown for two seasons in a greenhouse with three pruning treatments (none, shoot tips removed, and half the shoots removed) and three grass treatments (no grass competition; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., `Linn'; and tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb, `Kentucky 31'). Competing grass reduced shoot growth, leaf area, and weight of fine roots in shallow soil, but did not affect the growth response to pruning. Regrowth from pruned trees was such that the shoot: root ratio was restored to that of unpruned trees. Leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis had decreased markedly by 48 hours after irrigation ceased in trees without competition (larger trees) and to a similar level by 96 hours in trees with competition (smaller trees). Apparently, the reduced leaf area of peach trees grown with grass competition delayed water stress. Leaf abscisic acid levels were not directly affected by grass competition but increased as leaf water potential decreased. Grass competition modified morphology and reduced tree size, but did not affect shoot growth following pruning.

scholarly journals Water Transfer Diminishes Root Competition Between Peach and Tall Fescue

1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 570-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
W.V. Welker
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
Root Development ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Root Competition ◽  
Soil Pressure ◽  
Pressure Potential ◽  
Peach Trees

Seedling `Tennessee Natural' peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees were grown in a series of five greenhouse experiments to determine how peach root development was affected by the interaction of soil pressure potential and the presence of Kentucky-31 (K-31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.). Peach trees were grown in split-root rhizotrons that had four separate root growth sections. When two of the four sections had live sod (LS) and two remained bare soil (BS), there was no effect of the LS on peach root development when the trees were irrigated daily. Peach root development was reduced in BS and LS treatments when soil pressure potential was less than -0.06 MPa. In contrast, when trees were grown in rhizotrons that had all four sections with either LS or a killed K-31 sod (KS), peach root development was reduced in the LS treatment compared to the KS treatments when irrigated daily or when soil pressure potential reached -0.03 MPa. The apparent root surface water potential of peach trees in the LS treatment was -0.4 MPa lower than that in the KS treatment under daily irrigation due to the interference of the K-31 tall fescue. In two additional experiments using peach trees with BS in all four sections, we maintained three sections at field capacity and allowed one section to dry to -0.06 to 1.5 MPa. During the night, when transpiration was low, water was transferred to the dry soil section via the peach root system from the three wet soil sections. It appears that the root system of peach can maintain root development in the presence of tall fescue by transferring water from regions of high water availability to those of low availability.

scholarly journals 298 Root Restriction and Fertilizer Effects on Young Peach Trees

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 494A-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Daw ◽  
T.J. Tworkoski ◽  
D.M. Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Specific Root Length ◽  
Nonwoven Fabric ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Root Volume ◽  
Peach Trees

Shoot growth of peach trees can be managed by manipulating edaphic conditions such as root volume and soil fertility. In this experiment, 2-year-old peach trees (Prunus persica L. cv. Sentry on `Lovell' rootstock) were planted in pots with a split root design, so that half the roots were not treated and the other half received one of four treatments: root volume restricted with polypropylene nonwoven fabric (FAB), fertilizer alone (FER), FAB + FER, and untreated control (UTC). Total shoot growth and root growth were measured, and root growth in the split halves was compared. FER increased leaf number and weight by 48% and 60%, respectively, but not stem growth. Leaf nitrogen concentration and photosynthesis were greatest in FER treatment. FAB did not affect shoot weight or reduce total root weight or length, although roots did not grow past the fabric barrier. FER increased root weight and length (116% and 57%, respectively, compared to UTC) on the treated half but did not affect root growth on the untreated half. Greatest root growth occurred in the root half that received FAB + FER, particularly in the 5-cm soil segment proximal to the fabric (4.6 cm•cm-3 compared to 0.8 cm.cm-3 in UTC). Shoot length was greater in FAB + FER than FAB. Thus, fertilizer applied near fabric increased root growth and the combination of fertilizer and fabric may be used to regulate shoot growth. Specific root length (root length per gram dry weight) was highest in trees with no treatment, suggesting root acclimation to low nutrient soil conditions. Lower specific root length resulted in soils that were fertilized. The results indicate that nonwoven fabric restricts root growth in peach trees and reduces shoot elongation. The combined effect of fabric plus selected application of fertilizer may be used to regulate growth of peach trees.

The effect of soil water on root production of peach trees in summer

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Richards ◽  
B Cockroft
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Drying Rate ◽  
Soil Drying ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Irrigation Frequency

The effect of soil water supply on peach root production in summer was studied in the Goulburn Valley area of northern Victoria. Under commercial irrigation practice roots do not grow in summer. Field experiments showed that when the soil was kept moist by frequent irrigation (every 3–4 days), the concentration of roots in the surface soil nearly doubled in a single season. Furthermore, observation through glass plates showed that this enhanced root growth occurred throughout summer. When roots were kept inactive in dry soil until midsummer and thereafter irrigated frequently, they immediately responded and grew rapidly. The increased root growth did not impair fruit production. In a glasshouse experiment, with glass-fronted chambers, a relationship between root elongation, root concentration and the drying rate of the soil was found. Each experiment supported the hypothesis that soil drying rate determines the growth of roots in the surface soil. Where there was a high concentration of roots, a low irrigation frequency, and high transpiration, the rate of soil drying was rapid and roots grew slowly. It is suggested that manipulation of root growth by regulation of soil water supply may be an important method of studying root-top interactions.

Soil management of peach trees in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria

1966 ◽  
Vol 6 (20) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Cockroft
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Peach Trees ◽  
Horticultural Research ◽  
Bare Surface

A soil management trial on peach trees at Tatura Horticultural Research Station included four treatments that were cultivated, three permanent sods, a bare surface, and a straw mulch. The trees under straw mulch grew the largest and produced the highest yields (11.4 tons an acre a year over five years). Yields of all other treatments were similar (7.8 tons an acre a pear over five years) although the trees under clean cultivation and bare surface tended to be larger than the rest. The results are discussed in terms of competition from summer covers, tree root growth in the surface soil, and the utilization of irrigation water.

scholarly journals Soil Management Affects Shoot and Root Growth, Nutrient Availability, and Water Uptake of Young Peach Trees

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
W.V. Welker
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Shoot And Root Growth ◽  
Peach Trees

We determined how differences in peach tree water use and shoot and root growth due to ground cover treatments are affected by tree response and soil conditions in the adjacent soil environment. Ground cover combinations of bare soil (BS), a killed K-31 tall fescue sod (KS), a living Poa trivialis sod (PT), and a living K-31 tall fescue sod (LS) were imposed on 50% of the soil surface in greenhouse studies. The ground cover on 50% of the soil surface influenced root and top growth of the peach trees [Prunus persica (L) Batsch], water use, and NO3-N levels in the opposing 50%, depending on the competitiveness of the cover crop (LS vs. PT and KS) and characteristics of the soil (BS vs. KS). Tree growth was allometrically related to root growth.

scholarly journals Biochar induced improvement in root system architecture enhances nutrient assimilation by cotton plant seedlings

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Feng ◽  
Wanli Xu ◽  
Guangmu Tang ◽  
Meiying Gu ◽  
Zengchao Geng
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
System Architecture ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Nitrogen Assimilation ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Root System Architecture ◽  
Seedling Stage ◽  
Agronomic Efficiency ◽  
Surface Soil Layer

Abstract Background Raising nitrogen use efficiency of crops by improving root system architecture is highly essential not only to reduce costs of agricultural production but also to mitigate climate change. The physiological mechanisms of how biochar affects nitrogen assimilation by crop seedlings have not been well elucidated. Results Here, we report changes in root system architecture, activities of the key enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation, and cytokinin (CTK) at the seedling stage of cotton with reduced urea usage and biochar application at different soil layers (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). Active root absorption area, fresh weight, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency increased significantly when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied in the surface soil layer. Glutamine oxoglutarate amino transferase (GOGAT) activity was closely related to the application depth of urea/biochar, and it increased when urea/biochar was applied in the 0–10 cm layer. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT) increased significantly as well. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was stimulated by CTK in the very fine roots but inhibited in the fine roots. In addition, AMT1;1, gdh3, and gdh2 were significantly up-regulated in the very fine roots when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied. Conclusion Nitrogen assimilation efficiency was significantly affected when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied in the surface soil layer at the seedling stage of cotton. The co-expression of gdh3 and gdh2 in the fine roots increased nitrogen agronomic efficiency. The synergistic expression of the ammonium transporter gene and gdh3 suggests that biochar may be beneficial to amino acid metabolism.

Herbicide Effects on Weed Control and Shoot Growth of Young Apple (Malus sylvestris) and Peach (Prunus persica) Trees

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 840-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chester L. Foy ◽  
Susan B. Harrison ◽  
Harold L. Witt
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
One Year ◽  
Broadleaf Species ◽  
Old Trees ◽  
Peach Trees

Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Virginia to evaluate the following herbicides: alachlor, diphenamid, diuron, metolachlor, napropamide, norflurazon, oryzalin, oxyfluorfen, paraquat, pendimethalin, and simazine. One experiment involved newly-transplanted apple trees; the others, three in apple and one in peach trees, involved one-year-old trees. Treatments were applied in the spring (mid-April to early-May). Control of annual weed species was excellent with several treatments. A broader spectrum of weeds was controlled in several instances when the preemergence herbicides were used in combinations. Perennial species, particularly broadleaf species and johnsongrass, were released when annual species were suppressed by the herbicides. A rye cover crop in nontreated plots suppressed the growth of weeds. New shoot growth of newly-transplanted apple trees was increased with 3 of 20 herbicide treatments and scion circumference was increased with 11 of 20 herbicide treatments compared to the nontreated control. Growth of one-year-old apple trees was not affected. Scion circumference of one-year-old peach trees was increased with 25 of 33 herbicide treatments.

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