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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206452
Title: ROOT DENSITY AND ROOT SURFACE AREA OF SELECTED PACIFIC NORTHWEST CROPS

Author
item DOUGLAS, JR., CLYDE - RETIRED ARS
item Albrecht, Stephan
item RICKMAN, RONALD - RETIRED ARS
item McCool, Donald

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/9/2005
Publication Date: 11/12/2006
Citation: Douglas, Jr., C.L., Albrecht, S.L., Rickman, R.R., Mccool, D.K. 2006. Root density and root surface area of selected pacific northwest crops. Abstracts 2006 Annual Meetings American Society of Agronomy. November 12-16, 2006. Indianapolis, IN. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Root length density and root surface area were evaluated for soft white winter and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L), spring peas (Pisum sativum) and winter canola (Brassica napus L.) for at least two years at two locations (Pendleton, OR and Pullman, WA). Spring wheat was sampled at 3-leaf, anthesis and harvest, and spring peas at 6 to 7 node, 12 to 14 node, and harvest. Winter wheat was sampled at 3-leaf, 6-leaf, anthesis, and harvest. Winter canola was sampled at rosette, bolting, flowering and harvest. Root samples were obtained from square soil cores collected by inserting a 0.61 m-long, 0.032 m2-stainless steel tube into the soil to the desired depth. Both tube insertion and extraction was with a Giddings soil probe. Soil was washed from roots and extraneous material (straw, chaff) was removed by hand. Both root length density and surface area are highly influenced by environmental factors and vary greatly depending on crop season, soil depth, soil water content and soil strength. Canola roots were effected by soil strength more than wheat or pea roots. Greater than 95% of root length density in all crops evaluated was found in the 0-0.75 mm root diameter classes.