Effects of Water and Nitrogen Coupling on Root Length Density and Yield of Spring Wheat in Permanent Raised-bed Cropping System

Tillage management can influence soil physical properties such as soil strength, moisture content, temperature, nutrient and oxygen availability, which in turn can affect crop growth during the early establishment phase. However, a short-term ‘strategic’ conventional tillage (CT) shift in tillage practice in a continuous no-tillage (NT) cropping system may change the soil-pore and root geometry. This study identifies the impact of a tillage regime shift on the belowground soil-pore and root geometry. Micro X-ray computed tomography (µXCT) was used to quantify, measure and compare the soil-pore and root architecture associated with the impact of tillage shift across different plant growth stages. Soil porosity was 12.2% higher under CT in the top 0–100 mm and 7.4% in the bottom 100–200 mm of the soil core compared with NT. Soil-pore distribution, i.e. macroporosity (>75 μm), was 13.4% higher under CT, but mesoporosity (30–75 μm) was 9.6% higher under NT. The vertical distributions of root biomass and root architecture measurements (i.e. root length density) in undisturbed soil cores were 9.6% higher under the NT and 8.7% higher under the CT system respectively. These results suggest that low soil disturbance under the continuous NT system may have encouraged accumulation of more root biomass in the top 100 mm depth, thus developing better soil structure. Overall, µXCT image analyses of soil cores indicated that this tillage shift affected the soil total carbon, due to the significantly higher soil-pore (i.e. pore surface area, porosity and average pore size area) and root architecture (i.e. root length density, root surface density and root biomass) measurements under the CT system.

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Root characteristics of spring wheat under drip irrigation and their relationship with aboveground biomass and yield

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84208-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rui Chen ◽

Xing-peng Xiong ◽

Wen-han Cheng

Keyword(s):

Spring Wheat ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Root Weight ◽

Irrigation Frequency ◽

Root Characteristics ◽

Irrigation Amount

AbstractThe objectives of this two-year field experiment were (1) to study the effect of irrigation frequency and irrigation amount on the root characteristics of drip-irrigated spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and (2) to determine the relationship between these root characteristics and aboveground biomass and yield. A split-plot design was used with two wheat cultivars (Xinchun 6 and Xinchun 22). The irrigation treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (D1, 13 d; D2, 10 d; and D3, 7 d) and three water amounts (W1, 3750 m3/ha; W2, 6000 m3/ha; and W3, 8250 m3/ha). The results showed that root length density (RLD) and root weight density (RWD) were greater at 0–20 cm than at 20–40 cm at flowering. The RLD was greater in D1 and D2 than in D3 in the shallow soil layer and did not differ among the treatments with different irrigation frequencies in deep soil. The RLD at the 0–20 cm depth of W3 was 17.9% greater than that of W2 and 53.8% greater than that of W1, and the RLD trend was opposite at the 20–40 cm depth. The root–shoot ratio was significantly higher in D2 than in the other treatment, whereas the RLD, RWD, leaf Pn and LAI were significantly greater in D3. Leaf Pn and LAI both increased as the irrigation amount increased. Regression analysis showed a natural logarithmic relationship between RWD and aboveground biomass (R2 > 0.60, P < 0.05) and binomial relationships of the RWD at 0–20 cm depth (R2 = 0.43, P < 0.05) and the RLD at 20–40 cm depth (R2 = 0.34, P < 0.05) with grain yield. We found that with the optimum irrigation amount (W2), increasing drip irrigation frequency can increase wheat root length and root weight and aboveground biomass accumulation, thereby improving yield and water use efficiency.

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Sex-specifically responsive strategies to phosphorus availability combined with different soil nitrogen forms in dioecious Populus cathayana

Journal of Plant Ecology ◽

10.1093/jpe/rtab025 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xiucheng Liu ◽

Yuting Wang ◽

Shuangri Liu ◽

Miao Liu

Keyword(s):

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

P Uptake ◽

Root Tip ◽

P Availability ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Populus Cathayana ◽

Leaf P ◽

P Supply

Abstract Aims Phosphorus (P) availability and efficiency are especially important for plant growth and productivity. However, the sex-specific P acquisition and utilization strategies of dioecious plant species under different N forms are not clear. Methods This study investigated the responsive mechanisms of dioecious Populus cathayana females and males based on P uptake and allocation to soil P supply under N deficiency, nitrate (NO3 −) and ammonium (NH4 +) supply. Important Findings Females had a greater biomass, root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL) and shoot P concentration than males under normal P availability with two N supplies. NH4 + supply led to higher total root length, RLD and SRL but lower root tip number than NO3 − supply under normal P supply. Under P deficiency, males showed a smaller root system but greater photosynthetic P availability and higher leaf P remobilization, exhibiting a better capacity to adaptation to P-deficiency than females. Under P deficiency, NO3 − supply increased leaf photosynthesis and PUE but reduced RLD and SRL in females while males had higher leaf P redistribution and photosynthetic PUE than NH4 + supply. Females had a better potentiality to cope with P deficiency under NO3 − supply than NH4 + supply; the contrary was true for males. These results suggest that females may devote to increase in P uptake and shoot P allocation under normal P availability, especially under NO3 − supply, while males adopt more efficient resource use and P remobilization to maximum their tolerance to P-deficiency.

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Assessment of Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Spring Wheat Cropping System: A Case Study of Saskatchewan in Canada

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126917 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 126917

Author(s):

Yarong Shi ◽

Guohe Huang ◽

Chunjiang An ◽

Yang Zhou ◽

Jianan Yin

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Cropping System ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

System A

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Shoot and Root Traits Underlying Genotypic Variation in Early Vigor and Nutrient Accumulation in Spring Wheat Grown in High-Latitude Light Conditions

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10010174 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 174

Author(s):

Hui Liu ◽

Fabio Fiorani ◽

Ortrud Jäck ◽

Tino Colombi ◽

Kerstin A. Nagel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

High Latitude ◽

Root Length ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Root Traits ◽

Plant Production ◽

Nutrient Accumulation ◽

Early Vigor

Plants with improved nutrient use efficiency are needed to maintain and enhance future crop plant production. The aim of this study was to explore candidate traits for pre-breeding to improve nutrient accumulation and early vigor of spring wheat grown at high latitudes. We quantified shoot and root traits together with nutrient accumulation in nine contrasting spring wheat genotypes grown in rhizoboxes for 20 days in a greenhouse. Whole-plant relative growth rate was here correlated with leaf area productivity and plant nitrogen productivity, but not leaf area ratio. Furthermore, the total leaf area was correlated with the accumulation of six macronutrients, and could be suggested as a candidate trait for the pre-breeding towards improved nutrient accumulation and early vigor in wheat to be grown in high-latitude environments. Depending on the nutrient of interest, different root system traits were identified as relevant for their accumulation. Accumulation of nitrogen, potassium, sulfur and calcium was correlated with lateral root length, whilst accumulation of phosphorus and magnesium was correlated with main root length. Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to specific root system traits in the breeding of wheat towards improved nutrient accumulation to counteract the suboptimal uptake of some nutrient elements.

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Effect of Salinity Stress on Physiological Changes in Winter and Spring Wheat

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061193 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1193

Author(s):

Muhammad Sohail Saddiq ◽

Shahid Iqbal ◽

Muhammad Bilal Hafeez ◽

Amir M. H. Ibrahim ◽

Ali Raza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽

Winter Wheat ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Root Length ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Shoot Length ◽

Plant Tolerance ◽

Improvement Programs

Salinity is a leading threat to crop growth throughout the world. Salt stress induces altered physiological processes and several inhibitory effects on the growth of cereals, including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we determined the effects of salinity on five spring and five winter wheat genotypes seedlings. We evaluated the salt stress on root and shoot growth attributes, i.e., root length (RL), shoot length (SL), the relative growth rate of root length (RGR-RL), and shoot length (RGR-SL). The ionic content of the leaves was also measured. Physiological traits were also assessed, including stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll content index (CCI), and light-adapted leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, i.e., the quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv′/Fm′) and instantaneous chlorophyll fluorescence (Ft). Physiological and growth performance under salt stress (0, 100, and 200 mol/L) were explored at the seedling stage. The analysis showed that spring wheat accumulated low Na+ and high K+ in leaf blades compared with winter wheat. Among the genotypes, Sakha 8, S-24, W4909, and W4910 performed better and had improved physiological attributes (gs, Fv′/Fm′, and Ft) and seedling growth traits (RL, SL, RGR-SL, and RGR-RL), which were strongly linked with proper Na+ and K+ discrimination in leaves and the CCI in leaves. The identified genotypes could represent valuable resources for genetic improvement programs to provide a greater understanding of plant tolerance to salt stress.

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Root Phenotyping for Drought Tolerance: A Review

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy8110241 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 241 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Allah Wasaya ◽

Xiying Zhang ◽

Qin Fang ◽

Zongzheng Yan

Keyword(s):

Drought Tolerance ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Canopy Temperature ◽

Specific Root Length ◽

Root Traits ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Root Phenotyping

Plant roots play a significant role in plant growth by exploiting soil resources via the uptake of water and nutrients. Root traits such as fine root diameter, specific root length, specific root area, root angle, and root length density are considered useful traits for improving plant productivity under drought conditions. Therefore, understanding interactions between roots and their surrounding soil environment is important, which can be improved through root phenotyping. With the advancement in technologies, many tools have been developed for root phenotyping. Canopy temperature depression (CTD) has been considered a good technique for field phenotyping of crops under drought and is used to estimate crop yield as well as root traits in relation to drought tolerance. Both laboratory and field-based methods for phenotyping root traits have been developed including soil sampling, mini-rhizotron, rhizotrons, thermography and non-soil techniques. Recently, a non-invasive approach of X-ray computed tomography (CT) has provided a break-through to study the root architecture in three dimensions (3-D). This review summarizes methods for root phenotyping. On the basis of this review, it can be concluded that root traits are useful characters to be included in future breeding programs and for selecting better cultivars to increase crop yield under water-limited environments.

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Shallow Substrates Support the Growth of Contrasting Plant Types Installed in Irrigated, Arid-Climate Green Roofs1

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-35.4.146 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 146-155

Author(s):

Lauren Forrest ◽

Rachel Gioannini ◽

Dawn M. VanLeeuwen ◽

Rolston St. Hilaire

Keyword(s):

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Green Roofs ◽

Greenhouse Experiment ◽

Outdoor Environment ◽

Arid Climate ◽

Evaporative Demand ◽

Design Factor ◽

Substrate Depth

Abstract Extreme evaporative demand makes substrate depth a critical design factor in arid-climate green roofs. The objective of this study was to determine whether a shallow irrigated substrate could support the growth of hens and chicks (Sempervivum calcareum L.) and iceplant [Delosperma nubigenum (Hook.f.) L.Bolus] in an arid environment. First, an experiment was conducted in the greenhouse that established that plants survived in 10 cm (3.9 in), 15 cm (5.9 in), and 20 cm (7.9 in) substrate depths, which then lead to a second experiment in an outdoor environment. The substrate was heat-expanded clay:sand:worm castings (6:3:1, by volume) in a greenhouse experiment and heat-expanded clay:zeolite:worm castings (6:3:1, by volume) in an outdoor experiment. In the greenhouse experiment, deep root length density (RLD) was significantly greater in the 10 cm-deep (3.9 in) substrate, while outdoors, deep RLD was highest for plants grown in the 15 cm-deep (5.9 in) substrate. Outdoors, iceplant had significantly greater mean coverage and shoot dry weight than hens and chicks. Lack of significant differences in quality and coverage due to substrate depth, coupled with higher RLD in the 10 cm (3.9 in) and 15 cm (5.9 in) depths in both experiments provides evidence that shallow irrigated substrates support the growth of both taxa. Index words: iceplant, hens and chicks, plant coverage, root length density, quality, zeolite, heat expanded clay. Species used in this study: hens and chicks (Sempervivum calcareum L.); iceplant [Delosperma nubigenum (Hook.f.) L. Bolus].

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Elevated carbon dioxide and temperature effects on rooting behaviour of grape cuttings

Journal of Agrometeorology ◽

10.54386/jam.v23i3.24 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 257-264

Author(s):

SHRUTHI REDDY L ◽

GOPALA KRISHNA REDDY A ◽

VANAJA. M ◽

MARUTHI. V. ◽

VANAJA LATHA. K.

Keyword(s):

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Total Root Length ◽

Thompson Seedless ◽

Root Volume ◽

Software Analysis ◽

Root Parameters ◽

Dry Biomass ◽

Grape Varieties ◽

The Impact

An experiment was laid out to study the impact of eCO2 (550ppm), eT (+3ºC) and their interaction (eCO2+eT) on rooting behaviour of cuttings of three grape varieties- Thompson Seedless, Bangalore Blue, and Dogridge in FATE and OTC facilities. Observations were recorded at 50 and 80 days after planting (DAP) and root growth data was recorded and analysed using WinRHIZO root scanner and its software. Analysis revealed that, among the selected grape varieties, Thompson Seedless cuttings has shown highest number of roots, root volume and dry biomass under eCO2 and eCO2+ eT conditions, while total root length and root length density were highest with Bangalore Blue. Under eT condition, Bangalore Blue showed highest number of roots, total root length and root length density, while root volume and dry biomass was highest with Thompson Seedless. The per se values of root parameters under all conditions and their response to eCO2 was lowest with Dogridge. Though eT condition reduced all the root parameters, their performance improved under eCO2+ eT indicating the presence of higher concentration of CO2 reduced the ill effects of high temperature. Overall, eCO2 and eCO2+eT conditions improved root parameters of grape varieties, while eT reduced them as compared to their performance under ambient condition and varietal variation is significant.

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Above and Belowground Growth of Corymbia maculata in a Constructed Soil: The Effect of Profile Design and Organic Amendment

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry ◽

10.48044/jauf.2010.002 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 11-17

Author(s):

Karen Smith ◽

Peter May ◽

Robert White

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Root Length ◽

Organic Amendment ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Coir Fiber ◽

Growth Responses ◽

Profile Design

Spotted gum (Corymbia maculata (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson), a common street tree in southern Australian cities, was used to assess growth responses to variations in profile design and organic amendment of constructed soils. Aboveground growth responses were total stem dry weight and foliar nutrient content. The belowground response was root length density. Soil profiles were constructed of sand, amended with either coir fiber, composted biosolids or composted green waste, at rates of 0, 5, 10 or 20% by volume. The profiles were either layered, with a 150 mm (6 in) organic-amended surface layer, or uniform, with amendment of the entire profile. A single fertilizer treatment was applied to all profiles. Shoot dry weight was only affected by organic matter type with the greatest growth in sand amended with composted biosolids. Foliage P and K content were affected by amendment but foliage N was not. Profile design affected root length density and distribution. Trees in uniform profiles had greater root length density, and a more uniform distribution of roots, especially with compost amendments. Above- and belowground growth increases are thought to be due to increased nutrient status resulting from organic matter mineralization.

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