Abstract
A field experiment was carried out to investigate effect of nitrogen (N) supply method on root growth and its correlation with the above-ground parts in maize (Zea mays L.) under alternate partial root-zone irrigation (APRI) at Wuwei, northwest China in 2012 and 2014. The treatments included alternate N supply, conventional N supply and fixed N supply under APRI (designated AN, CN and FN, respectively), with an additional CN fertilizer treatment coupled with conventional irrigation (CK). Ridges were built in a west-east direction. Root weight density (RWD) in the 0–100 cm soil layer and shoot biomass at the V6, V12, VT, R2 and R6 stages, and grain yield and yield components at the R6 were determined. Results showed that RWD around the plant (i.e. under the plant, south and north of the plant) in the 0–40 cm soil layer varied among different treatments at the VT, R2 and R6 stages. The RWD north and south the plant were comparable during maize growth stages for AN, CN and CK, while FN significantly decreased the RWD of its no N supply side at the three stages and markedly decreased the RWD of its N supply side at the VT. AN and CN significantly increased the RWD, shoot biomass at the three stages, and grain yield compared with FN and CK. Grain yield was positively correlated with RWD in the 0–40 cm soil layer at the three stages. These results suggested that AN and CN produced a relatively uniform distribution of roots and a greater root biomass, which contributed to the enhanced shoot biomass and grain yield of maize under APRI.
Highlights
Plant roots systems are involved in acquisition of nutrients and water, synthesis of hormones, organic and amino acids, and anchorage of plants[1,2]
Root weight density (RWD) is one of the most important parameters used for evaluation of roots
CN and AN were superior to FN and CK in terms of root growth beginning at the VT stage (Table 1)
Summary
Plant roots systems are involved in acquisition of nutrients and water, synthesis of hormones, organic and amino acids, and anchorage of plants[1,2]. Root morphology is closely related with the growth and development of above-ground biomass[4,9] Roots and their role in regulating absorption of nutrients and water has roused attention[4,10]. The Hexi Corridor area is one of the most important food production areas in China, where crop production is depends heavily on irrigation due to infrequent precipitation In this area, Kang et al.[20] studied the effects of varying irrigation methods on maize production, and found that APRI could maintain high grain yield with up to 50% reduction in irrigation water compared to conventional furrow irrigation. To the best of our knowledge, the effect of different N supply methods on maize production, especially for spatial and temporal distribution of roots and its relationship with above-ground biomass in maize under APRI has yet to been addressed
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