Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops
Deeper root growth can be induced by increased biopore density. In this study, we aimed to compare deep root traits of two winter crops in field conditions in response to altered biopore density as affected by crop sequence. Two fodder crop species—chicory and tall fescue—were grown for two consecut...
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/12/634 |
| _version_ | 1827700034343272448 |
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| author | Ning Huang Miriam Athmann Eusun Han |
| author_facet | Ning Huang Miriam Athmann Eusun Han |
| author_sort | Ning Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Deeper root growth can be induced by increased biopore density. In this study, we aimed to compare deep root traits of two winter crops in field conditions in response to altered biopore density as affected by crop sequence. Two fodder crop species—chicory and tall fescue—were grown for two consecutive years as preceding crops (pre-crops). Root traits of two winter crops—barley and canola, which were grown as subsequent crops (post-crops)—were measured using the profile wall and soil monolith method. While barley and canola differed greatly in deep root traits, they both significantly increased rooting density inside biopores by two-fold at soil depths shallower than 100 cm. A similar increase in rooting density in the bulk soil was observed below 100 cm soil depth. As a result, rooting depth significantly increased (>5 cm) under biopore-rich conditions throughout the season of the winter crops. Morphological root traits revealed species-wise variation in response to altered biopore density, in which only barley increased root size under biopore-rich conditions. We concluded that large-sized biopores induce deeper rooting of winter crops that can increase soil resource acquisition potential, which is considered to be important for agricultural systems with less outsourced farm resources, e.g., Organic Agriculture. Crops with contrasting root systems can respond differently to varying biopore density, especially root morphology, which should be taken into account upon exploiting biopore-rich conditions in arable fields. Our results also indicate the need for further detailed research with a greater number of species, varieties and genotypes for functional classification of root plasticity against the altered subsoil structure. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:04:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ee62f603b4249198df5a96aabd31c78 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:04:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ee62f603b4249198df5a96aabd31c782023-11-21T00:47:39ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722020-12-01101263410.3390/agriculture10120634Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter CropsNing Huang0Miriam Athmann1Eusun Han2Department of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, GermanyDepartment of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, GermanyDepartment of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegård Alle 13, 2630 Taastrup, DenmarkDeeper root growth can be induced by increased biopore density. In this study, we aimed to compare deep root traits of two winter crops in field conditions in response to altered biopore density as affected by crop sequence. Two fodder crop species—chicory and tall fescue—were grown for two consecutive years as preceding crops (pre-crops). Root traits of two winter crops—barley and canola, which were grown as subsequent crops (post-crops)—were measured using the profile wall and soil monolith method. While barley and canola differed greatly in deep root traits, they both significantly increased rooting density inside biopores by two-fold at soil depths shallower than 100 cm. A similar increase in rooting density in the bulk soil was observed below 100 cm soil depth. As a result, rooting depth significantly increased (>5 cm) under biopore-rich conditions throughout the season of the winter crops. Morphological root traits revealed species-wise variation in response to altered biopore density, in which only barley increased root size under biopore-rich conditions. We concluded that large-sized biopores induce deeper rooting of winter crops that can increase soil resource acquisition potential, which is considered to be important for agricultural systems with less outsourced farm resources, e.g., Organic Agriculture. Crops with contrasting root systems can respond differently to varying biopore density, especially root morphology, which should be taken into account upon exploiting biopore-rich conditions in arable fields. Our results also indicate the need for further detailed research with a greater number of species, varieties and genotypes for functional classification of root plasticity against the altered subsoil structure.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/12/634bioporesroot traitspre-cropswinter cropsdeep rootsPCA |
| spellingShingle | Ning Huang Miriam Athmann Eusun Han Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops Agriculture biopores root traits pre-crops winter crops deep roots PCA |
| title | Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops |
| title_full | Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops |
| title_fullStr | Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops |
| title_short | Biopore-Induced Deep Root Traits of Two Winter Crops |
| title_sort | biopore induced deep root traits of two winter crops |
| topic | biopores root traits pre-crops winter crops deep roots PCA |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/12/634 |
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