The Growth and Distribution of Fruit Tree Roots: Some Consequences for Nutrient Uptake

Atkinson, David; Wilson, Sandra

doi:10.1016/b978-0-408-10662-7.50022-3

Cited by 55 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…We did not intend to show root distribution because it is well documented in the literature that the pattern of distribution of roots in the rootstock EM 26 is rather superWcial (Atkinson and Wilson 1980) and most of the root system is found within a radius of 1 m from the trunk (Atkinson 1976;Atkinson and Wilson 1980). Nitrate concentration varied greatly along the year.…”

Section: Nitrate Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cover crops influence soil properties and tree performance in an organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard in northern Patagonia

Sánchez¹,

Giayetto²,

Cichón³

et al. 2007

Plant Soil

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Little is known about the eVects of cover crops on soil properties in organic orchards. To Wll this gap, this work aimed at examining the eVects of several cover crops on soil fertility, nitrate dynamics, populations of nematodes and tree performance in an organic orchard of apple cv. Royal Gala/EM 26 planted in 1994 at 4 £ 2 m. In 1999 the following treatments were randomly applied to the inter-row spaces of 20 tree rows each: permanent cover of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plus fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schribn.), Alfalfa/fescue (AF); permanent cover of strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum L.), Strawberry clover (SC); seeding of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), Vetch (V); and Control (C) (natural vegetation of grasses and legumes with the soil disked twice in late winter, which is the traditional management system used by growers in this region). The cover crops were mowed 3 or 4 times during the growing season and the clippings were left on the ground for decomposition. The trial was conducted in the northern Patagonia region of Argentina in a sandy loam soil with a pH of 7.6 and initial organic matter content of 1.5%. A commercially available certiWed organic fertilizer containing 5% total N, 2% total P and 4% total K was added annually at a rate of 1.0 kg per tree in equal amounts to each treatment in a radius of 0.4 m around the trunk. After 6 years, soil organic matter in the top soil was 31, 27.9, 23 and 18.6 g kg ¡1 for SC, AF, V and C treatments, respectively. Total soil N followed the same trend. Apple leaf N declined steadily in all treatments especially in AF and C from year 3 to 5 with values below 1.8% and it was therefore necessary to increase the rate of organic fertilizer. Nitrate concentrations remained under 7.5 mg kg ¡1 during the winter months in all treatments and increased in spring and summer. A sharp increase in soil nitrate, up to 100 ppm, was observed in late spring in V due to rapid biomass decomposition after maturation of the common vetch. Populations of nematodes especially bacterivores and herbivores increased from September (late winter) to March (fall) in the V treatment. SigniWcant diVerences were observed when we compared the eVects of treatments on the entire nematode population. Tree growth as measured by trunk cross sectional area and canopy volume was signiWcantly lower in the C treatment.

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Section: Nitrate Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cover crops influence soil properties and tree performance in an organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard in northern Patagonia

Sánchez¹,

Giayetto²,

Cichón³

et al. 2007

Plant Soil

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“…If this inhibition is only temporarily successful, a second flush of shoot growth may follow in order to re-establish the disturbed root/shoot-balance, if environmental conditions still allow so. Young newly transplanted fruit trees both the roots and the shoot tips may grow continuously throughout the season (Atkinson and Wilson, 1980).…”

Section: International Journal Of Fruit Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Root Pruning—A Poorly Understood Management Practice in Fruit Trees

Saure¹

2007

International Journal of Fruit Science

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Root pruning (RP) is a management practice intended to reduce excessive shoot growth resulting from a disturbed root/shoot-balance. It appears to function by limiting the gibberellin activity in fruit trees by interfering with endogenous growth control. In this way, not only shoot growth but also fruit development and flower-bud formation can be influenced by one common mechanism. The results are contradictory and often unpredictable. The prospects of RP as a management practice are rather limited.

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“…Apple and many other perennial woody species are grafted onto various roots stalks, including those of other species, which makes understanding its rooting system somewhat complex. As Atkinson and Wilson (1980) noted, results of P fertilization vary depending on cultivars and root stocks. Many of the roots are found in P‐depleted subsoil.…”

Section: High‐yield Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%

“… Relative shoot and root sizes at early stages of growth (∼60 d) and near maturity for (a) onion, sugar beet, potato, soybean, spring wheat, rice, and maize and (b) apple. Adapted from Weaver (1926), Weaver and Bruner (1927), Atkinson and Wilson (1980), Atkinson (1983), Yamaguchi and Tanaka (1990), Thorup‐Kristensen (2006), Iwama (2008), Andresen et al (2016), Fan et al (2016), and Ordóñez et al (2018). …”

Section: High‐yield Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Foliar applications are especially needed when conditions arise due to unusually high growth rates and/or problems with root–vascular system health that may warrant application of foliar or fertigation P in rescue scenarios when tissue analysis shows P deficiency. For example, Atkinson and Wilson (1980) showed increased P uptake and yields with foliar P application to fruit trees, although they stated that the path through soil is the main source of P uptake. Girma et al (2007) showed foliar response in maize.…”

Section: High‐yield Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%

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Phosphorus Management in High‐Yield Systems

Hopkins

Hansen

2019

J of Env Quality

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The discovery and development of phosphorus (P) and P fertilizers provide context for current management conventions. Average crop yields were stagnant before the Green Revolution but have steadily increased since. This, along with conventional P management, has resulted in widely depleting soil P levels. Improved technology and management are needed to meet the increasing P demand. Modern hybrids and cultivars have different P demand and uptake patterns that require changes in conventional P fertilizer placement and timing. Phosphorus fertilizer recommendations based on soil analysis remains valid, but evidence suggests a need for recalibrating soil test P (STP) critical levels (the STP concentration at which a response to P fertilizer would not be expected) and P fertilizer rates to accommodate high‐yield scenarios. Considering higher P fertilizer rates as a single solution poses environmental challenges, highlighting the need for improved P use efficiency (PUE). Phosphorus fertilization approaches that have the potential to improve PUE and enable high yields include crop‐specific precision placement of P, informed timing of P fertilizers, and new enhanced efficiency sources of P fertilizer. This paper examines these management approaches from historical, production, and environmental perspectives in modern cropping systems. Core Ideas History of P fertilization illuminates traditional soil P management and needed changes. Recalibration of STP and P fertilizer recommendations are needed to match increasing yield and rates of P uptake. Environmental concerns and diminishing P supply necessitate improvement in P use efficiency. Placement and timing are improved through understanding of variable rooting patterns. Enhanced efficiency P fertilizers can be effective if applied correctly.

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The Growth and Distribution of Fruit Tree Roots: Some Consequences for Nutrient Uptake

Cited by 55 publications

References 18 publications

Cover crops influence soil properties and tree performance in an organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard in northern Patagonia

Cover crops influence soil properties and tree performance in an organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard in northern Patagonia

Root Pruning—A Poorly Understood Management Practice in Fruit Trees

Phosphorus Management in High‐Yield Systems

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