Root system variability in common legumes in Central Europe

Chmelíková, Lucie; Hejcman, Michal

doi:10.2478/s11756-011-0138-7

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(59 reference statements)

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“…Observed tap roots of red clover had cylindrical nodules as described by many other authors ( Corby , 1971; Sturz et al, 1997; Klimešová and de Bello , 2009; Chmelíková and Hejcman , 2012a). Our results suggest a slightly positive effect of sand content in soil (sites S2 and V2) and a slightly negative effect of clay content (D1 and V3) on root diameter.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Seasonal development of above‐ and below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in grass–legume mixture on different soils

Chmelíková

Wolfrum

Schmid

et al. 2014

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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Grass–legume mixtures are suitable for crop rotations in organic farming. However, seasonal development of below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in mixtures and on different soils was neglected. We asked (1) how the diameter of the root neck, the maximum order of branching as well as (2) the nodule traits are affected by locality and time, and (3) how above‐ground plant traits of red clover vary in space and time. Red clover was investigated in grass–legume mixtures in the first year of vegetation. Five sites in S Germany were sampled at the day of cut at the end of May, the beginning of July, and at the end of August, respectively. Under similar climatic conditions root traits (diameter of the root neck, order of root branching, size of nodules, and proportion of senescent nodules) differed with soil conditions and time within the season. Root diameter increased during the season. Higher sand content fostered root branching and branched roots developed more nodules. Thinner roots had more active nodules (pink). Root diameter and non‐active senescent (green) or moribund (brown) nodules increased at the end of season. Nodule activity differed more according to season than to soil conditions. The number of nodules per plant (12.5–19.5) decreased from May to August. Cylindrical nodules were found on 85–100% of the plants and branched nodules only on 0–25%. The height of plants was lowest in May and increased in July. The mean number of stems per plant (3.3–6.3) was highest in August. Understanding red clover traits and N2 fixation is interesting scientifically as well as agronomical. Organic and conventional farmers can both benefit of our findings.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Seasonal development of above‐ and below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in grass–legume mixture on different soils

Chmelíková

Wolfrum

Schmid

et al. 2014

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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“…For example, alfalfa has a high N 2 fixation capability compared to other forage legumes, but the associated N transfer is lower, which may be related to its relatively low number of lateral roots (Pirhofer-Walzl et al 2012). Alfalfa has a deep taproot and fewer secondary roots, which limits close root contact with neighboring plants (Chmelíková and Hejcman 2012), especially when compared to white clover which has a highly branched root system.…”

Section: Root Contactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Belowground nitrogen transfer from legumes to non-legumes under managed herbaceous cropping systems. A review

Thilakarathna

McElroy

Chapagain

et al. 2016

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

146

111

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Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient in most agroecosystems and thus critical for sustaining high yields. Conventional agricultural practices use synthetic fertilizers to ensure an adequate supply of nitrogen in soils, but fertilizers come at a significant monetary and environmental cost. A strategy to improve nitrogen supply in cropping systems is the inclusion of nitrogen-fixing legumes, which can provide nitrogen benefits to companion crops through belowground nitrogen transfer. However, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and factors that govern nitrogen transfer is important in order to determine potential areas for improving this association. Here, we review the mechanisms of belowground nitrogen transfer in managed herbaceous cropping systems, focusing on forage systems. We classify three major routes of nitrogen transfer from legumes to non-legumes: (1) decomposition of legume root tissues and uptake of mineralized nitrogen by neighboring plants, (2) exudation of soluble nitrogen compounds by legumes and uptake by non-legumes, and (3) transfer of nitrogen mediated by plant-associated mycorrhizae. Literature data shows that rates of nitrogen transfer range from 0 to 73 % from forage legumes to companion grasses in mixed stands, depending on the legume species and cultivar. We list the factors that affect nitrogen transfer including abiotic factors, e.g., water stress, temperature, light, soil available nitrogen, and application of nitrogen fertilizer, and biotic factors, e.g., root contact, plant density, growth stage, production year, defoliation, and root herbivores. While the rates of nitrogen transfer are often constrained by abiotic conditions, such as temperature and water availability, that are beyond the control of growers, agronomic practices, e.g., planting density and choice of species and cultivar, may help to increase nitrogen transfer. Ultimately, the selection of plant pairs with compatible traits offers the best path forward to improving nitrogen transfer in intercrops.

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“…Trifolium medium L. (zigzag clover) is a perennial species with flexuous stems up to 50‐cm tall, and extensive slender rhizomes, with leaflets commonly 15–40‐mm long and petioles up to 8‐cm long (Fitter & Peat ; Klimešová & de Bello ; Chmelíková & Hejcman ). T. medium is a typical ecotonal species at the border between tall shrub vegetation and grasslands in Central Europe (Chytrý ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability on emergence, nodulation and growth of Trifolium medium L. in alkaline soil

Chmelíková

Hejcman

2013

Plant Biol J

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Little is known about the effects of nutrient availability on the growth of Trifolium medium in alkaline soil. In 2010, a pot experiment (10 N, P and K fertiliser treatments) with seeding of T. medium into alkaline soil was performed and emergence of seedlings, survival, aboveground and belowground organs were studied. The positive effects of increased nutrient availability on seedling emergence ranged from 5% in the control to 17% in the high P treatment. The lowest mortality was in treatments with P and K supply and the highest in treatments with N supply, due to the sensitivity of young plants to high N availability. The highest values of most measured aboveground plant traits were recorded in treatments with simultaneous application of N, P and K. There were highly positive effects of P supply alone or in combination with N and K on the development of belowground organs. Taproot length ranged from 11.5 in high N to 40.2 cm in P treatment. There was a negative effect of N application on nodulation, especially in N treatments, where growth of T. medium was limited by insufficient P supply. The number of nodules per plant ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 in the high N and P treatments. As demonstrated in this study, T. medium is a potentially suitable legume for alkaline soils. It requires a relatively high P and K supply as well as moderate mineral N supply to achieve its maximum growth potential.

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Root system variability in common legumes in Central Europe

Cited by 10 publications

References 54 publications

Seasonal development of above‐ and below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in grass–legume mixture on different soils

Seasonal development of above‐ and below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in grass–legume mixture on different soils

Belowground nitrogen transfer from legumes to non-legumes under managed herbaceous cropping systems. A review

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability on emergence, nodulation and growth of Trifolium medium L. in alkaline soil

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