Root growth and physiological responses in wheat to topsoil and subsoil compaction with or without artificial vertical macropores

Abstract

The process of soil compaction can cause various stresses on roots, ultimately limiting their growth and development within the soil. Understanding this phenomenon in real-world conditions can be challenging since the growth of roots is influenced by the soil environment. To investigate this issue, four experiments were conducted to examine the impact of topsoil (two in pots: with clay loam and sandy loam soils under two soil water regimes) and subsoil (in rhizobox: one with clay loam soil and the other with sandy loam soil, containing artificial vertical macropores) compaction on the relationship between edaphic factors and the physiological response of wheat roots. The topsoil compaction reduced root length, volume, and weight by 30–50% and the root diameter by ∼15% compared to the non-compact soil. The effect was reduced in the soil with higher clay content (clay loam), especially under the limited soil water condition. Plant physiological responses were adversely affected by compaction with a reduction in plant height. The transpiration rate was highly impacted (21–47% reduction) with the build-up of intercellular CO2 content in leaves (13–31%), especially with limited water applications. Root growth was severely restricted (>60%) in the compact subsoil layer, although the surface area and volume of roots increased in the overlying non-compact layer. Naturally occurring or artificial vertical macropores acted as escape channels, facilitating the roots to pass through the compact subsoil and grow abundantly in the loose soil below. However, plants in field conditions encounter a mix of loose and compact soil zones. By studying how roots respond to this soil heterogeneity, we can develop strategies to reduce the negative effects of soil compaction.