Temporal and spatial profiling of root growth revealed novel response of maize roots under various nitrogen supplies in the field.

ABSTRACT: A challenge for Chinese agriculture is to limit the overapplication of nitrogen (N) without reducing grain yield. Roots take up N and participate in N assimilation, facilitating dry matter accumulation in grains. However, little is known about how the root system in soil profile responds to various N supplies. In the present study, N uptake, temporal and spatial distributions of maize roots, and soil mineral N (N(min)) were thoroughly studied under field conditions in three consecutive years. The results showed that in spite of transient stimulation of growth of early initiated nodal roots, N deficiency completely suppressed growth of the later-initiated nodal roots and accelerated root death, causing an early decrease in the total root length at the rapid vegetative growth stage of maize

SUBMITTER: Peng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3356300 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature