Root Distribution of Plantains Growing on Five Soil Types

Abstract

Plantain roots decreased sharply with depth and distance from the pseudostem on 5 soils typical of vast areas in the tropics. Primary roots in the upper 15 cm of all soils decreased from an average of 111 cm/1,000 cm3 of soil at 0-30 cm from the pseudostem, to 29 cm/1,000 cm3 of soil at 60-90 cm from the pseudostem. At 0-30 cm from the pseudostem, roots decreased from 111 cm/1,000 cm3 of soil in the upper 15 cm of soil to 11 cm; 1,000 cm3 of soil at the 30-45 cm depth. No roots were present below 45 cm in any soil.

Root Distribution Patterns of Nine Apple Rootstock in Two Contrasting Soil Types

“…Soil texture also may be involved since Rogers and Vyvyan(1934) found an increase in total weight of four Mailing apple rootstock root systems from a heavy clay to a light sand to a loam. Several authors have found a rootstock soil interaction for various tree crops with rootstock performing differently under the diverse soil types (Cockroft and Wallbrink, 1966;Greaten et al, 1968;Irizarry et al,1981;Mikhail and E1-Zeftawi, 1978;Oskamp and Batjer, 1932;Rogers and Vyvyan, 1934). This confirms the observation of this study regarding MAC.9 and M.9EMLA adaptation to soil environment.…”

Identifying opportunities to improve management of water stress in banana production

“…The root extensions during late summer may be linked to a higher transpiration rate of 0.97 mm mm -1 of potential evaporation compared to winter with a transpiration rate of 0.61 mm mm -1 . Irizarry et al (1981) studied root distributions in banana grown in three different soil types (Ultisols, Entisols and Inceptisols) at five different locations in the humid tropics. The concentration of cord roots decreased with soil depth for all soil types.…”