Comparing the deep root growth and water uptake of intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza®) to alfalfa

Abstract

AimsWater is the most important yield-limiting factor worldwide and drought is predicted to increase in the future. Perennial crops with more extensive and deep root systems could access deep stored water and build resilience to water shortage. In the context of human nutrition, perennial grain crops are very interesting. However, it is still questionable whether they are effective in using subsoil water. We compared intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza ® ) Thinopyrum intermedium, a perennial grain crop, to alfalfa Medicago sativa, a perennial forage, for subsoil root growth and water uptake. MethodsUsing TDR sensors, deuterium tracer labelling, minirhizotrons and the Hydrus-1D model we characterised the root distribution and water uptake patterns of these two perennial crops during two cropping seasons under eld conditions down to 2.5 m soil depth. ResultsBoth crops grew roots down to 2.0 m depth that were active in water uptake but alfalfa was deeper rooted than intermediate wheatgrass. All experimental methods concluded that alfalfa used more water from below 1.0 m depth than intermediate wheatgrass. However, simulations predicted that intermediate wheatgrass used more than 20 mm of water after anthesis from below 1 m soil depth. Simulations con rmed the advantage of deep roots in accessing deep soil water under drought. ConclusionsIn regions with high groundwater recharge, growing deep-rooted perennial crops have great potential to exploit deep soil water that is often left unused. However, the road to a pro table perennial grain crop is still long and breeding intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza ® ) cultivars for increased root growth at depth seems to be a worthy investment for the development of more drought tolerant cultivars.

Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) as an Efficient Phytoremediation Plant for Aristolochic Acid-Contaminated Water and Arable Soil

“…A similarly high phytoextraction efficiency for AA-II was also observed in wheatgrass (Figure S3). Because the root zone of plants is known to be particularly important for phytoremediation, − the well-developed root system of water lettuce and wheatgrass ,− yielded high efficiencies in lowering the concentration of AAs in contaminated hydroponic solutions.…”

Learning about the growing habits and reproductive strategy of Thinopyrum intermedium through the establishment of its critical nitrogen dilution curve

“…To improve yields and crop management, a good description of its physiological behavior and a better understanding of its growing habits are yet required. For instance, recent findings highlighted the ability of using water from deep soil layers and maintaining high water-use efficiency throughout the growing season (de Oliveira et al, 2020;Clément et al, 2021aClément et al, , 2021b. However, few are known about its nitrogen (N) use, whereas crop N management is a key point by being one of the major limiting factors for agricultural productions (Gastal et al, 2012).…”

Deep soil water depletion and soil organic carbon and total nitrogen accumulation in a long‐term alfalfa pasture

“…Guan et al (2016) indicated that SOC storage in the 0–200 cm soil layer increased by 14.6–24.1 Mg C ha −1 under the alfalfa, bush clover and milk vetch pastures over 7 years. Deep soil resources contributed substantially to the production and ecological functions of dryland ecological systems (Clément et al, 2022; Lynch & Wojciechowski, 2015). Yang et al (2020) and Lan et al (2021) all proved the positive effects of apple orchard on soil carbon storage to the depth of 1000 cm in the CLP.…”