Nitrogen fertilization and root growth dynamics of durum wheat for a sustainable production

Abstract

In an area of the Apulian Tavoliere (southern Italy), the effects of three levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha–1) on root development, growth analysis and yield parameters of durum wheat were evaluated. The research was conducted over a four-year period (1994-97). The non-destructive mini-rhizotron method was used to study the root system at stem extension and at the beginning of heading and ripening stages. At the end of tillering and at boot and flowering stages, samples of wheat biomass were taken and subjected to growth analysis. Yield data and the main biometric parameters were collected at harvest time. The doses of nitrogen (N) fertilizer 50 and 100 kg N ha–1 had a greater effect on root development in the 20-30 cm soil layer and on epigeal biomass than the control test (N0) without nitrogen fertilization. In the test (N0) the growth of root and epigeal biomass was slower during the first vegetative phases, however, afterwards both of them recovered and the root system was mainly developed in the 30-40 cm soil layer. A better development of root system in deeper soil layers, without nitrogen supply, has allowed the plant to overcome more easily the water-deficit and thermal stresses during the ripening stage. The results of this research have shown that the production of grain with 50 kg ha–1 of N is similar to those of 100 kg ha–1 of N doses and higher than the test without nitrogen fertilization. In this kind of environment can be recommended a nitrogen dose of 50 kg ha–1 for obtaining an increase in grain production with low costs and reduced agricultural sources of pollution

Growth and Yield Response to Fertilizer Application and Nutritive Quality of Huckleberry (Solanum scabrum Mill.) Varieties Cultivatedin the Mount Cameroon Region

“…Enhanced root growth (represented by tap root length and number of primary lateral roots) was more exhibited in "White stem" plants in control than plants supplied with fertilizers. This is in line with studies by De Giorgio and Fornaro [30] who reported that higher N levels can reduce root growth and biomass. In contrast, separate root system morphology studies have demonstrated that total root length and root surface area increased with increased N application (120 Kg/ha) in Oryza sativa [31], and greater root length response can be obtain at N fertilization rate of 127.5 Kg N/ ha compared with either the absence of fertilizer N or the higher rate of 255 Kg N /ha in Zea mays [32].…”

Influence of nitrogen and phosphorous on the growth and root morphology of Acer mono

“…In the present study, optimum N fertilization had a favorable impact on root growth, which is supported by previous findings that N availability has significant effects on root biomass, production, and mortality [ 68 ]; root elongation [ 17 ]; and higher root-order development and branching [ 69 ]. The application of N fertilizer can also affect water use efficiency by influencing root growth and distribution in the soil [ 70 ], and optimal N fertilization has been shown to enhance root length and diameter [ 12 ], whereas higher and lower N levels have been shown to reduce root growth and biomass [ 71 , 72 , 73 ]. In addition, N fertilization significantly increases the diameter of Larix gmelinii root tips [ 74 ] and the growth, root length, and root diameter of Pongamia pinnata seedlings [ 75 ].…”

“…Plants exposed to high nutrient deficiencies exhibited a progressive reduction in TRL [ 23 ]. Therefore, N deficiency can result in a remarkable decrease in length of both first- and second-order lateral roots [ 79 ], a relationship that has been widely confirmed in both annual [ 71 ] and perennial plants [ 72 ].…”

The Effect of Different Fertilization Treatments on Wheat Root Depth and Length Density Distribution in a Long-Term Experiment

“…Both positive and negative reactions can be found due to differences in the plant and soil nutritional statuses, interactions with site conditions, etc. Significant positive effects have been reported; for example, [35] observed a positive effect of N fertilization on root density in the deep soil layers (except at the highest rate), while [36] found better development of the root system in the deeper soil layers, without nitrogen fertilization. In some experiments, N increased the wheat root density but reduced it at the highest rates [37].…”