Sunflower root growth and distribution under varied water regimes in two edaphoclimatic conditions

Sunflower growth is adversely impacted by both excess and insufficient water. Research on root growth in this crop under water stress conditions remains limited and does not fully elucidate the plant's response to varying soil and climatic conditions. This study aimed to determine root growth,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Luis Henrique Loose, Arno Bernardo Heldwein, Jocélia Rosa da Silva, Mateus Leonardi, Mateus Possebon Bortoluzzi, Dionéia Daiane Pitol Lucas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Eduem (Editora da Universidade Estadual de Maringá) 2024-04-01
Series:Acta Scientiarum: Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciAgron/article/view/65692
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Summary:Sunflower growth is adversely impacted by both excess and insufficient water. Research on root growth in this crop under water stress conditions remains limited and does not fully elucidate the plant's response to varying soil and climatic conditions. This study aimed to determine root growth, depth, and distribution of sunflower plants under different water stress conditions, such as deficit or excess, in two soil classes and sown during two distinct periods. Experiments were conducted after sowing at the beginning of September (first crop season) and at the beginning of January (second crop season) in an Ultisol (Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil) and an Oxisol (Panambi, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil). Water condition treatments applied from stage V6 included control, water deficit, and water excess. Roots were collected using an auger drill during the first crop season. The variables analyzed comprised root length density and accumulated root within the soil profile. During the second crop season, sunflower roots were visually assessed in the soil profile after trench excavation. Root system depth and root dry mass were evaluated during both sowing periods. Results indicated that sunflower root penetration is deeper in Ultisol than in Oxisol. Water deficit promotes root depth, while water excess promotes root growth near the surface. Sowing during the first crop season results in deeper root penetration and higher root dry mass production compared to the second crop season.
ISSN:1679-9275
1807-8621