Rooting Systems of Soybeans. I. Differences in Root Morphology among Varieties¹

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to delineate morphological differences among root systems of 26 soybean varieties (Glycine max (L) Merr.). ‘Aoda’ and ‘Harosoy 63,’ were selected from the 26 varieties and strains as representative of extremes in rooting patterns. A core sampling technique was used to quantitatively analyze the rooting systems in single‐plant plots. Harosoy 63 had a more extensive root system, including a nearly twofold greater root surface area, than Aoda. The rooting morphology in single‐plant and row plots was studied qualitatively by a soil monolith method. Both varieties lacked a distinctive taproot development below a zone of profuse branching. The disposition of primary branches in the soil was apparently influenced by intraspecific competition.

Mixture performance of phenotypically contrasting barley cultivars

“…Weed pressure may be reduced (Abraham and Singh 1984), with reduced competition for growth resources, which can result in higher crop yields. Raper and Barber (1970) and Baldwin et al (1972) reported that root systems of different cultivars of a crop mixture may exploit different layers of the soil and tap more water than either cultivar in monocrop. Root stratification of cultivars in mixtures may be due to mutual avoidance by adjacent root systems.…”

Aspectos da estrutura da raiz e do desenvolvimento de plantas de soja em solos compactados

“…Sabe-se que O sistema radicular da soja, em condições normais de cultivo, distribui-se quase totalmente nos primeiros 150 mm do solo. Essa massa de raízes corresponde a 40%, no mínimo, da superfície radicular (Raper & Barber, 1970;Mitchell & Russel, 1971). Em soja cultivada em solo não-irrigado, 67% das raízes localizam-se nos primeiros 300 mm; 16% entre 300 mm e 900 mm, e 17% abaixo de 900 mm, em comparação com 71%, 21% e 9% nas respectivas camadas em soja irrigada .…”

Factors affecting the direction of growth of tree roots

“…Most studies deal with herbaceous species, and even for them experimental work and reviews have generally been confined to geotropism of the seedling radicle. The direction sensing apparatus lies in the root cap (Wilkins, 1975 (Raper and Barber, 1970), possibly in response to drought or high temperature (Mitchell and Russell, 1971 (Juniper, 1976;Firn and Digby, 1980;Jackson and Barlow, 1981;Pickard, 1985) and the mechanism will not be discussed further here.…”