Biology and Fertility of Soils · 1988
Influence of biopores on root growth, water uptake and grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) based on predictions from a computer model
Jakobsen, B., Dexter, A.
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Influence of biopores on root growth, water uptake and grain…
Abstract
The use of vertical biopores by wheat (Triticum aestivum) seminal roots for easy access to the subsoil and the consequences for plant water sup- ply and yield has been investigated by computer simulation. Parameters included were: biopore density and diameter, depth of cultivation and strength of the subsoil - all under a wide range of seasonal weather conditions. The model predicts that biopores add sig- nificantly to root penetration at depth, even at a densi- ty of 0.1% v/v of small, vertical pores, while 1.5% to 2.0% v/v can ensure maximum root penetration. When the growing season is shorter a larger number of biopores is needed to ensure timely root penetration to depth. With shallow tillage, biopores occur closer to the soil surface, and their importance is increased. Deeper root penetration invariably gives greater water uptake and transpiration, but may have a negative ef- fect on grain yield, especially under the driest climatic conditions. An increase in early water use may result in less soil water being available during the grain-fill- ing period. The effect of biopores on plant transpira- tion varies from year to year, depending on the amount of rain and its distribution in time, and on the amount of soil water stored at time of sowing.
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The use of vertical biopores by wheat (Triticum aestivum) seminal roots for easy access to the subsoil and the consequences for plant water sup- ply and yield has been investigated by computer simulation. Parameters included were: biopore density and diameter, depth of cultivation and strength of the subsoil - all under a wide range of seasonal weather conditions. The model predicts that biopores add sig- nificantly to root penetration at depth, even at a densi- ty of 0.1% v/v of small, vertical pores, while 1.5% to 2.0% v/v can ensure maximum root penetration. When the growing season is shorter a larger number of biopores is needed to ensure timely root penetration to depth. With shallow tillage, biopores occur closer to the soil surface, and their importance is increased. Deeper root penetration invariably gives greater water uptake and transpiration, but may have a negative ef- fect on grain yield, especially under the driest climatic conditions. An increase in early water use may result in less soil water being available during the grain-fill- ing period. The effect of biopores on plant transpira- tion varies from year to year, depending on the amount of rain and its distribution in time, and on the amount of soil water stored at time of sowing.
The use of vertical biopores by wheat (Triticum aestivum) seminal roots for easy access to the subsoil and the consequences for plant water sup- ply and yield has been investigated by computer simulation. Parameters included were: biopore density and diameter, depth of cultivation and strength of the subsoil - all under a wide range of seasonal weather conditions. The model predicts that biopores add sig- nificantly to root penetration at depth, even at a densi- ty of 0.1% v/v of small, vertical pores, while 1.5% to 2.0% v/v can ensure maximum root penetration. When the growing season is shorter a larger number of biopores is needed to ensure timely root penetration to depth. With shallow tillage, biopores occur closer to the soil surface, and their importance is increased. Deeper root penetration invariably gives greater water uptake and transpiration, but may have a negative ef- fect on grain yield, especially under the driest climatic conditions. An increase in early water use may result in less soil water being available during the grain-fill- ing period. The effect of biopores on plant transpira- tion varies from year to year, depending on the amount of rain and its distribution in time, and on the amount of soil water stored at time of sowing.