Vertical distribution of maize roots in relation to permanent soil characteristics

Abstract

The vertical distribution of maize roots was studied in four contrasting soils, (arenosols, luvisols, planosols and vertisols) by using in-situ root mapping on vertical planes. The relationship between root contact frequency and depth was different for each soil, with a relatively low field-to-field variability within each soil type. The general aspect of this relationship did not change appreciably for three years in arenosols, with a low colonization in sandy layers probably being due to mechanical barriers. The relationship was consistently non-monotonic in luvisols and planosols, because of the sparse colonization of sandy layers. In planosols, these layers were traversed by some primary roots, which were essentially clustered in animal burrows. The distribution of root contact frequency was closer to an exponential function in vertisols. In these soils rooting depth and colonization of deep soil layers showed a marked increase during two dry years compared with a wet year. This was probably due to a denser net of shrinkage cracks and slickensides, where roots were essentially located in dry years. These results raise the possibility of modelling the decrease in root distribution with depth using soil information and climatic characteristics.