Myers, R.J.K. (1980) The root system of a grain sorghum crop. Field Crops Research, 3 (1). pp. 53-64.
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Abstract
Measurements were made on the root system of grain sorghum grown on a red earth soil at Katherine, N.T. Samples were taken at floral initiation, mid-elongation, anthesis and maturity. Root length, root mass, and N and P conc. were measured throughout the profile to 150 cm depth. Root development reached a max. of c. 1000 kg/ha by the mid-elongation sampling (44 days after emergence). As root development and above-ground development patterns differed, root:total DM ratios varied, declining from 0.8 at floral initiation to 0.1-0.2 at maturity. The final root yields of N (12-22 kg N/ha) and P (0.4-0.7 kg P/ha) were significant proportions of total plant nutrient yield and thus roots should not be neglected in drawing up nutrient balance sheets. 53-65% of the root mass was in the 0-10 cm layer, 76-79% in the 0-20 cm layer, and 86-87% in the 0-40 cm layer. For root length the corresponding figures were 42, 60-63 and 77-78%. Root DM could not be estimated from measurements on above-ground parts. Relationships were derived by which total root mass could be estimated from 0-10 cm root mass (r = 0.938) or 0-20 cm root mass (r = 0.990). Total root length was also a good predictor of total root mass (r = 0.799) and 0-10 cm root length proved equally satisfactory (r = 0.802). In experiments where root measurements are desirable but not logistically feasible, good estimates may be possible using total root length, or root mass in the surface soil
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, CSIRO, Cunningham Laboratory, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia 4067 |
| Subjects: | Crop Improvement |
| Divisions: | Sorghum |
| Depositing User: | Ms K Syamalamba |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Oct 2012 09:03 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Oct 2012 09:03 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(80)90007-6 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/8336 |
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