Studies on the Root Development of Sugar Beet : I. Effects of fertilizers upon the root habits of young plants

Abstract

The author investigated the effects of fertilizers (N as sulphatate of ammonia, P as superphosphate and K as potassium chloride) upon the root habits of young plants (sown Oct. 1., about 3.5∼4 months old) of sugar beet grown in root boxes. Each of the rot boxes was divided into 3 equal sections vertically by vinyl nets, and one beet was grown in this central section. The method of application of the fertilizers in each box was classified as follows: [table] Thus, the total amount of 3 elements was applied equally per box. The washed young roots were gotten separately from each section of the box, which divided by nets, and spreaded them on the glass plate in uniform density as shown Fig. 4. As the results, first of all, the rots of suger beet grown in the box A, as compared with those in the box B, developed much more abundantly and branched more profusely. Among the boxes of C, D and E, the rots grown in soil section applied N or NP or NK branched much more profusely than those in soils applied P or K only or both of them. From these results, it was shown that when roots came in contact with the soil applied N fertilizer, the greater degree of branching were always induced, and in sections applied no fertilizers, root-branchs were limited extremely. But in this experiment, among the developments of root branchs in the soil sections applied P or K only or both of them, no remarkable differences were recognized. The investions of the further advanced rot systems should be affected by similar manner of application of fertilizers are remained in future.