scholarly journals Root growth dynamics and productivity of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in response to fertilization and soil tillage

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioanna P. Kakabouki ◽  
Ioannis Roussis ◽  
Dimitra Hela ◽  
Panayiota Papastylianou ◽  
Antigolena Folina ◽  
...  

AbstractQuinoa is a gluten-free pseudocereal crop recognized for its exceptional nutritional properties. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of soil tillage and fertilization on root growth and productivity of quinoa. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with two replicates, two main plots [conventional (CT) and minimum tillage (MT)] and four sub-plots [fertilization treatments: untreated, inorganic fertilization with 100 (N1) and 200 kg N ha−1 (N2), and sheep manure]. Mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates, total porosity, organic matter and soil total nitrogen increased with the long-term fertilization with sheep manure. The major part of the roots (approximately 70%) is concentrated in the 0-30 cm soil layer. Root length density increased with increased rate of applied nitrogen, and a higher value (1.172 cm cm−3) was found in N2 plots. Additionally, higher root mass density (1.114 mg cm−3) was observed under MT. Plant height and dry weight were clearly affected by fertilization, with higher values obtained in N2 plots. Moreover, it was observed that quinoa cultivated under CT and N2 treatment produced a higher seed yield (2595 kg ha−1). As a conclusion, increasing the levels of applied nitrogen up to 200 kg N ha−1 improves root growth and consequently the yields of quinoa.

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
S. R. Murphy

Studies were undertaken on native and sown perennial grass-based pastures as part of the Sustainable Grazing Systems National Experiment to estimate root depth and describe root distribution in these pastures. Samples from soil cores (0–210 cm maximum sampling depth) taken in 1997 (before grazing treatments were imposed) and 4 years later in spring 2001 were used to examine the effects of different grazing regimes on root length density (cm/cm3), root mass density (mg/cm3), root volume density (cm3/cm3), and diameter (mm) at each of 3 sites. In spring 1997, mean maximum root depth was 107 cm for a native perennial grass pasture near Barraba and 74 cm for a pasture sown with phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) near Nundle, with values being lower for a native pasture near Manilla (65 cm for a Brown Vertosol and 97 cm for a Red Chromosol). For all pasture types, >20% of root mass density, root length density or root volume density was in the 0–5 cm soil layer and >60% was at a depth of 0–30 cm. At all sites, mean total root mass was around 1000 kg DM/ha. After 4 years of grazing (spring 2001) there were relatively few significant effects of grazing treatment on root length density, root mass density, root volume density, or root diameter. Effects that were significant mostly occurred at 0–5 cm for the native pastures and 0–50 cm for the sown pasture. For the Barraba native pasture, root length, volume and mass densities (0–5 cm) were higher (P<0.05) in the continuously grazed, low stocking rate treatment compared with all other treatments. Similarly, for the Manilla native pasture, root length density was higher (P<0.05) in this treatment at soil depths of 0–5 and >5–10 cm compared with all other treatments. In contrast, for the Nundle sown pasture, root length density (0–5 cm) was lowest (P<0.05) in 2 continuously grazed treatments compared with those that were strategically grazed in autumn and spring.


Author(s):  
Ioannis ROUSSIS ◽  
Antonios MAVROEIDIS ◽  
Ioanna KAKABOUKI ◽  
Aspasia EFTHIMIADOU ◽  
Nikolaos KATSENIOS ◽  
...  

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in Western Greece in order to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen rates on the development of the root system and productivity of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) plant. The experiment followed a completely randomized design (CRD), with six treatments, different rates of applied nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg ha-1 equivalent to 0, 134, 268, 402, 536 and 670 mg nitrogen pot-1). The results of this study showed that root length density (RLD) and root mass density (RMD) increased with the increased rate of applied nitrogen and the highest values (1.297 cm cm-3 and 1.178 mg cm-3, respectively) were found after the application of 670 mg nitrogen pot-1 at 100 days after sowing (DAS). Plant height (106.06 cm) and leaf area per plant (883.14 cm2) were significantly affected by the highest rate of nitrogen. Additionally, dry matter and seed yield per plant were clearly affected by fertilization, with the highest values (27.57 g and 4.20 g, respectively) obtained in plants treated with 670 mg nitrogen pot-1. In conclusion, increasing the levels of applied nitrogen up to 670 mg N pot-1 improves root development and therefore the yields of chia.


1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
JA Mead

Root growth and distribution of wheat under different tillage practices was studied in a 4-year-old tillage experimental site at Cowra, N.S.W. Tillage affected root density as well as distribution. Up to 98 days after sowing, root length density was lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.05-0.10 m layer of the direct-drilled soil than the conventionally cultivated soil. Poor root growth found in direct-drilled soils, which was significantly related to the poor shoot growth, was not caused by soil physical conditions, viz. higher bulk density and soil strength. Rather, biological factors were involved because fumigation completely eliminated the poor shoot growth and significantly increased root length density of the direct drilled soils. Compared to a compaction treatment, roots grown under direct drilling, in addition to having lower density, also had impaired function. Under conventional cultivation, significantly lower root length density was found in the surface soil layer (0-0.05 m) and maximum root length density was found in the 0-05-0.10 m layer. Fumigation did not change the root distribution pattern. This tillage-induced difference in root distribution reflected less favourable surface soil conditions as a result of cultivation, e.g. seedbed slumping, compared to the soil under direct drilling.


2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingtan Liao ◽  
Jairo A. Palta ◽  
Ian R. P. Fillery

Root growth is important for the acquisition of nitrogen (N) and water in deep sandy soil profiles with high leaching potential. Root growth characteristics and the N uptake of wheat genotypes differing in early vigour were investigated in 2 glasshouse experiments. In both experiments the vigorous breeding lines Vigor18 and B18 and the well-adapted commercial cultivar Janz were grown in glass-walled growth boxes in a controlled-temperature glasshouse up to the onset of stem elongation. In Expt 1, rooting parameters and detailed measurements of root growth and proliferation were made at 2-day intervals using a root mapping technique. In Expt 2 the glass-walled growth boxes were segmented into upper (0–0.2 m), middle (0.2–0.7 m), and bottom (0.7–1.0 m) soil layers, and the contribution of N fertiliser uptake by roots from each soil layer to the total plant N uptake was determined by applying 15N-urea to a single soil layer each time. The accumulated total root length across the soil profile from the 1-leaf stage to the onset of stem elongation was 33–83% higher in the vigorous lines Vigor18 and B18 than in Janz. The roots of the 3 genotypes grew vertically down the soil profile at a similar rate, but the roots of vigorous lines branched earlier and grew horizontally faster and more extensively than those of cv. Janz, resulting in a greater root-length density and root number in the top 0.7-m soil layer. Uptake of N fertiliser by roots in the upper 0–0.2 m of the soil profile was 60–68% higher in the vigorous lines than in Janz. Roots of the vigorous lines located in the segment 0.2–0.7 m of the soil profile captured twice as much N fertiliser than those of Janz. Uptake of N fertiliser by roots in the lower 0.7–1.0 m of the soil profile was similar in the vigorous lines and Janz. This indicates that the early and more extensive horizontal growth of the roots in the 0.2–0.7 m of the soil profile was responsible for the superior uptake of N by the vigorous lines. The implications of these genotypic differences in root growth and proliferation and their relationship with the early acquisition of N are discussed with emphasis on their role in improving the efficiency of N fertiliser uptake and reducing nitrate leaching, particularly in the sandy soils of the Mediterranean climatic region of Australia.


1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Thangaraj ◽  
J. C. O'Toole ◽  
S. K. De Datta

SUMMARYThe relation between soil mechanical impedance as a result of soil drying, and root system growth (mass and length density) of rice was investigated in greenhouse and field studies. In a greenhouse experiment, soil drying for 16 days increased mechanical impedance in the 0–20 cm soil layer from near 0 to 2.5 MPa, and decreased root growth by 47% compared to the continuously flooded control. Root length density decreased with decreasing soil moisture and increasing soil mechanical impedance. In a lowland field experiment using a sprinkler irrigation gradient treatment for 19 days during the vegetative growth stage, soil mechanical impedance as low as 0.01 MPa inhibited root growth while values greater than 0.3–0.5 MPa decreased root growth and extension by 75%. The relative loss of potential root growth was continued after reflooding. Root length density, measured at flowering, was linearly related to yield.


2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Tangyuan ◽  
H. Bin ◽  
J. Nianyuan ◽  
T. Shenzhong ◽  
L. Zengjia

A study was conducted on the effect of two single practices, including soil tillage and returning straw to soil, and their interaction on soil porosity of maize-wheat cropping system. Field experiments involved four tillage practices, including conventional tillage (C), zero-tillage (Z), harrow-tillage (H) and subsoil-tillage (S), with straw absent (A) or straw present (P). Total porosity, capillary porosity and non-capillary porosity of soil were investigated. The results showed that the soil total porosity of 0–10 soil layer was mostly affected; conventional tillage can increase the capillary porosity of soil, but the non-capillary porosity of S was the highest. Returning of straw can increase the porosity of soil. Through the analysis of affecting force, it can be concluded that interaction of soil tillage and straw is the most important factor to soil porosity, while the controlling factor to non-capillary porosity was soil tillage treatment.


HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1573-1576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris A. Martin ◽  
Sean A. Whitcomb ◽  
Jean C. Stutz

Leucophyllum frutescens I. M. Johnst. (Texas sage) and Nerium oleander L. (oleander) shrubs grown for 2 years in the southwest United States under well-watered conditions in outdoor field plots were either sheared every 6 weeks or not pruned (control) to determine if frequent shearing had an effect on root growth and mycorrhizal colonization. During February and June of the second year after transplanting, leaf gas exchange, shoot and root growth, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization of shrubs were studied. Shearing reduced shrub volume of Texas sage and oleander by 84% and 82%, respectively. Leaf carbon assimilation (A) and conductance of both shrub taxa were stimulated by frequent shearing, especially during June. Shearing decreased root mass density (RMD) and root length density (RLD) of Texas sage but had no impact on RMD or RLD of oleander. Shearing decreased the length of Texas sage roots colonized by AMF but increased AMF colonization of oleander roots. Soil respiration and temperatures were less under all shrubs that were frequently sheared than those that were not pruned and were higher under all shrubs in June than in February. From these data we conclude that under well-watered conditions, the rejuvenative capacity and resilience of oleander to the practice of frequent shearing is greater than Texas sage and recommend that Texas sage shrubs not be frequently sheared in southwest landscapes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus Carvalho Basilio de Azevedo ◽  
Jean Louis Chopart ◽  
Cristiane de Conti Medina

Root length density (RLD) is a critical feature in determining crops potential to uptake water and nutrients, but it is difficult to be measured. No standard method is currently available for assessing RLD in the soil. In this study, an in situ method used for other crops for studying root length density and distribution was tested for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). This method involved root intersection counting (RIC) on a Rhodic Eutrudox profile using grids with 0.05 x 0.05 m and modeling RLD from RIC. The results were compared to a conventional soil core-sampled method (COR) (volume 0.00043 m³). At four dates of the cropping season in three tillage treatments (plowing soil, minimum tillage and direct planting), with eight soil depths divided in 0.1 m soil layer (between 0-0.6 and 1.6-1.8 m) and three horizontal distances from the row (0-0.23, 0.23-0.46 and 0.46-0.69 m), COR and RIC methods presented similar RLD results. A positive relationship between COR and RIC was found (R² = 0.76). The RLD profiles considering the average of the three row distances per depth obtained using COR and RIC (mean of four dates and 12 replications) were close and did not differ at each depth of 0.1 m within a total depth of 0.6 m. Total RLD between 0 and 0.6 m was 7.300 and 7.100 m m-2 for COR and RIC respectively. For time consumption, the RIC method was tenfold less time-consuming than COR and RIC can be carried out in the field with no need to remove soil samples. The RLD distribution in depth and row distance (2-D variability) by RIC can be assessed in relation to the soil properties in the same soil profiles. The RIC method was suitable for studying these 2-D (depth and row distance in the soil profile) relationships between soil, tillage and root distribution in the field.


2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Król ◽  
J. Lipiec ◽  
M. Turski ◽  
J. Kuś

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the effect of organic and conventional management systems on total porosity, water and ethanol sorptivity, repellency index, and tensile strength of soil aggregates. Two size fractions of soil aggregates (15-20 and 30-35 mm) were collected from the 0-10 and 10-20 cm depths. Data on water and ethanol sorptivities of the initially air-dry soil aggregate fractions were obtained from the steady state flow measurements using an infiltration device. Water repellency was identified by the ethanol/water sorptivity method. The total porosity was higher in aggregates from the conventionally than organically managed soil irrespective of soil layer or aggregate size. Infiltration and sorptivity of ethanol (60 mm3) were faster under the conventional than organic management irrespective of aggregate size and depth. Infiltration and sorptivity of water in 30-35mmaggregates were greater under organic than conventional management. The repellency index was mostly higher for the conventional management of soil and for agregates 30-35 than 15-20 mm in each management system. Aggregate crushing strength was in most cases greater under the organic than conventional management and could increase resistance to compaction and carbon sequestration under the former.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1241
Author(s):  
Stanko Vršič ◽  
Marko Breznik ◽  
Borut Pulko ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino

Earthworms are key indicators of soil quality and health in vineyards, but research that considers different soil management systems, especially in Slovenian viticultural areas is scarce. In this investigation, the impact of different soil management practices such as permanent green cover, the use of herbicides in row and inter-row areas, use of straw mulch, and shallow soil tillage compared to meadow control for earthworm abundance, were assessed. The biomass and abundance of earthworms (m2) and distribution in various soil layers were quantified for three years. Monitoring and a survey covering 22 May 2014 to 5 October 2016 in seven different sampling dates, along with a soil profile at the depth from 0 to 60 cm, were carried out. Our results showed that the lowest mean abundance and biomass of earthworms in all sampling periods were registered along the herbicide strip (within the rows). The highest abundance was found in the straw mulch and permanent green cover treatments (higher than in the control). On the plots where the herbicide was applied to the complete inter-row area, the abundance of the earthworm community decreased from the beginning to the end of the monitoring period. In contrast, shallow tillage showed a similar trend of declining earthworm abundance, which could indicate a deterioration of soil biodiversity conditions. We concluded that different soil management practices greatly affect the soil’s environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), especially in the upper soil layer (up to 15 cm deep), which affects the abundance of the earthworm community. Our results demonstrated that these practices need to be adapted to the climate and weather conditions, and also to human impacts.


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