Effect of moisture level on the root pattern of Alfalfa

Abstract

There have been a few investigations on the effect of moisture on root development of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), but none have attempted to describe the relationships in a quantitative manner. Therefore, alfalfa root patterns along with yield and evapotranspiration (ET) were examined under different moisture levels, using a line-source sprinkler system. Water application ranged from 28 to 153 cm, the latter representing the potential evapotranspiration. Alfalfa root mass and yield were highest under high moisture levels, and the shoot/root ratio increased with increasing moisture level. The relationships between ET and root mass and between ET and shoot/root ratio were curvilinear. The largest percentage of root mass under all moisture treatments was found in the top 45 cm of the soil profile where the largest differences in total root mass between treatments were observed. The percentages of roots at each soil depth averaged over three ranges of moisture levels were curvilinear functions of soil depth. Although alfalfa roots were found to a depth of at least 150 cm for all moisture levels, there was a greater rooting depth with a higher moisture level. Roots were detected to a depth of 210 cm for the high moisture treatment, although root biomass was small below 170 cm where a sand layer was encountered which may have impeded root penetration. The root diameter was found to be independent of moisture level, which means that there was a greater root surface area with higher moisture levels. Root length density distribution was similar to root mass distribution.