Root turnover in pasture species: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
Jeff B. Reid A C and Jim R. Crush B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 1401, Havelock North, New Zealand.
B AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.
C Corresponding author. Email: jeff.reid@plantandfood.co.nz
Crop and Pasture Science 64(2) 165-177 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP13079
Submitted: 4 March 2013 Accepted: 29 May 2013 Published: 20 June 2013
Abstract
Root turnover may have substantial implications for nutrient and carbon cycling and for plant breeding. Turnover was calculated for a previously published dataset for five types of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown in the Waikato, New Zealand. Net root populations were measured with mini-rhizotrons at 2-week intervals for 2 years under well-watered conditions. Measurements were also made for 1 year on well-watered plots (W) or plots not watered (NW) during the summer. We expect the measured root counts to relate more closely to root length than to biomass.
When ample water was supplied, annual gross root production was ~8 times the average net population, with few differences between the ryegrass types. The general response to withholding water was increased root growth, followed by increased death, and after 3 months there was no substantial net difference between the W and NW treatments. After watering was resumed there was more root growth and death in the NW treatments in the late autumn and winter. The results highlight the importance of making long time-series measurements—differences between watering treatments and depths were sometimes quite different early and late in the experiments. Two ryegrass types had a conspicuous response to water stress, by increasing new root growth at depth, although death rates increased soon after. More research is needed to check for such differences between breeding lines, which might be exploited to improve pasture production in areas prone to drought.
Additional keywords: demography, drought, roots.
References
Böhm W (1974) Mini-rhizotrons for root observations under field conditions. Zeitschrift für Acker- und Pflanzenbau 140, 282–287.Cheng W, Coleman DC, Box JEJ (1990) Root dynamics, production and distribution in agroecosystems on the Georgia Piedmont using minirhizotrons. Journal of Applied Ecology 27, 592–604.
| Root dynamics, production and distribution in agroecosystems on the Georgia Piedmont using minirhizotrons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cheng W, Coleman DC, Box JEJ (1991) Measuring root turnover using the minirhizotron technique. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 34, 261–267.
| Measuring root turnover using the minirhizotron technique.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crush J, Nichols S (2010) Progress towards forage plant root systems for sustainable dairying. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium’. (Eds GR Edwards, RH Bryant) pp. 292–304. (Caxton Press: Christchurch, New Zealand)
Crush JR, Easton HS, Waller JE, Hume DE, Faville MJ (2007) Genotypic variation in patterns of root distribution, nitrate interception and response to moisture stress of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) mapping population. Grass and Forage Science 62, 265–273.
| Genotypic variation in patterns of root distribution, nitrate interception and response to moisture stress of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) mapping population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtVyrs77J&md5=1e43beda2273a6820028c21fab74822aCAS |
Edmeades DC, Wheeler DM, Christie RA (1991) The effects of aluminium and pH on the growth of a range of temperate grass species and cultivars. In ‘Plant–soil interactions at low pH’. (Eds RJ Wright, VC Baligar, RP Murrmann) pp. 913–924. (Kluwer Academic Publishers: Dordrecht, the Netherlands)
Fogel R (1985) Roots as primary producers in below-ground ecosystems. In ‘Ecological interactions in the soil: plants, micobes and animals’. Vol. 1. (Eds AH Fitter, D Atkinson, DJ Read, MB Usher) pp. 23–36. (Blackwell Scientific Publications: Oxford)
Forbes PJ, Black KE, Hooker JE (1997) Temperature-induced alteration to root longevity in Lolium perenne. Plant and Soil 190, 87–90.
| Temperature-induced alteration to root longevity in Lolium perenne.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXkvFyjtrk%3D&md5=a1667254f6864f953e45d9956021052dCAS |
Gibbs RJ (1986) Changes in soil structure under different cropping systems. PhD Thesis, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
Gibbs RJ, Reid JB (1992) Comparison between net and gross root production by winter wheat and by perennial ryegrass. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science 20, 483–487.
| Comparison between net and gross root production by winter wheat and by perennial ryegrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goins G, Russelle M (1996) Fine root demography in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Plant and Soil 185, 281–291.
| Fine root demography in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXnsVWhsA%3D%3D&md5=fa3e72c60d2bacece1953a8469a15928CAS |
Goss MJ, Watson CA (2003) The importance of root dynamics in cropping systems research. Journal of Crop Production 8, 127–155.
| The importance of root dynamics in cropping systems research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gross KL, Peters A, Pregitzer KS (1993) Fine root growth and demographic responses to nutrient patches in four old-field plant species. Oecologia 95, 61–64.
Hansson AC, Andren O (1986) Below-ground plant production in a perennial grass ley (Festuca pratensis Huds.) assessed with different methods. Journal of Applied Ecology 23, 657–666.
| Below-ground plant production in a perennial grass ley (Festuca pratensis Huds.) assessed with different methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hayes DC, Seastedt TR (1987) Root dynamics of tallgrass prairie in wet and dry years. Canadian Journal of Botany 65, 787–791.
| Root dynamics of tallgrass prairie in wet and dry years.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Herder GD, Van Isterdael G, Beeckman T, De Smet I (2010) The roots of a new green revolution. Trends in Plant Science 15, 600–607.
| The roots of a new green revolution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hodge A, Robinson D, Griffiths BS, Fitter AH (1999) Nitrogen capture by plants grown in N-rich organic patches of contrasting size and strength. Journal of Experimental Botany 50, 1243–1252.
Hooker JE, Hendrick RL, Atkinson D (2000) The measurement and analysis of fine root longevity. In ‘Root methods: a handbook’. (Eds AL Smit, AG Bengough, C Engels, M Van Noordwijk, S Pellerin, SC Van de Geijn) pp. 273–304. (Springer-Verlag: Heidelberg)
Husain MM, Reid JB, Othman H, Gallagher JN (1990) Growth and water use of faba beans (Vicia faba) in a sub-humid climate. I: Root and shoot adaptations to drought stress. Field Crops Research 23, 1–17.
| Growth and water use of faba beans (Vicia faba) in a sub-humid climate. I: Root and shoot adaptations to drought stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lynch JP (2007) Turner Review No. 14. Roots of the second green revolution. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 493–512.
| Turner Review No. 14. Roots of the second green revolution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Matthew C, Mackay AD, Chu ACP (1986) Techniques for measuring the root growth of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) dominant pasture under contrasting spring managements. Proceedings Agronomy Society of New Zealand 16, 59–64.
Pregitzer KS, Hendrick RL, Fogel R (1993) The demography of fine roots in response to patches of water and nitrogen. New Phytologist 125, 575–580.
| The demography of fine roots in response to patches of water and nitrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pritchard SG, Prior SA, Rogers HH, Davis MA, Runion GB, Popham TW (2006) Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on root dynamics and productivity of sorghum grown under conventional and conservation agricultural management practices. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 113, 175–183.
| Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on root dynamics and productivity of sorghum grown under conventional and conservation agricultural management practices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reid JB, Goss MJ (1983) Growing crops and transformations of 14C-labelled soil organic matter. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 15, 687–691.
| Growing crops and transformations of 14C-labelled soil organic matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28XoslKhsQ%3D%3D&md5=90883ef34efd3fdc134eaf9019ad23e2CAS |
Reid JB, Renquist AR (1997) Enhanced root production as a feed-forward response to soil water deficit in field-grown tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 24, 685–692.
| Enhanced root production as a feed-forward response to soil water deficit in field-grown tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reid JB, Sorensen I, Petrie RA (1993) Root demography in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). Plant, Cell & Environment 16, 949–957.
| Root demography in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rengasamy JI, Reid JB (1993) Root system modification of faba beans and its effects upon crop performance. I. Responses of root and shoot growth to subsoiling, irrigation and sowing date. Field Crops Research 33, 175–196.
| Root system modification of faba beans and its effects upon crop performance. I. Responses of root and shoot growth to subsoiling, irrigation and sowing date.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Santantonio D, Grace JC (1987) Estimating fine-root production and turnover from biomass and decomposition data: a compartment-flow model. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 17, 900–908.
| Estimating fine-root production and turnover from biomass and decomposition data: a compartment-flow model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scott JT, Stewart DPC, Metherell AK (2012) Alteration of pasture root carbon turnover in response to superphosphate and irrigation at Winchmore New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 147–159.
| Alteration of pasture root carbon turnover in response to superphosphate and irrigation at Winchmore New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smit AL, George E, Groenwold J (2000) Root observations and measurements at (transparent) interfaces in soil. In ‘Root methods: a handbook’. (Eds AL Smit, AG Bengough, C Engels, M Van Noordwijk, S Pellerin, SC Van de Geijn) pp. 235–271. (Springer-Verlag: Heidelberg, Germany)
Springett JA, Gray RAJ (1997) The interaction between plant roots and earthworm burrows in pasture. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 29, 621–625.
| The interaction between plant roots and earthworm burrows in pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXktFCqu70%3D&md5=a68b9e1a233b4d3d2d1fc933adce8180CAS |
Swinnen J, Van Veen JA, Merckx R (1995) Root decay and turnover of rhizodeposits in field-grown winter wheat and spring barley estimated by 14C pulse-labelling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 27, 211–217.
| Root decay and turnover of rhizodeposits in field-grown winter wheat and spring barley estimated by 14C pulse-labelling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXjvVyltbY%3D&md5=f4ba66fc84ad648f8879ba12f2428645CAS |
Thomas SM, Whitehead D, Adams JA, Reid JB, Sherlock RR, Leckie AC (1996) Seasonal root growth and soil surface carbon fluxes for one-year-old Pinus radiata trees growing at ambient and elevated carbon dioxide concentration. Tree Physiology 16, 1015–1021.
| Seasonal root growth and soil surface carbon fluxes for one-year-old Pinus radiata trees growing at ambient and elevated carbon dioxide concentration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14871796PubMed |
Thomas SM, Whitehead D, Reid JB, Cook FJ, Adams JA, Leckie AC (1999) Growth, loss and vertical distribution of Pinus radiata fine roots growing at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration. Global Change Biology 5, 107–121.
| Growth, loss and vertical distribution of Pinus radiata fine roots growing at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tinker PB, Nye PH (2000) ‘Solute movement in the rhizosphere.’ (Oxford University Press: New York)
Wedderburn ME, Pengelly BC, Tucker MA (1989) Simulated soil profiles as a plant screening technique. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 50, 249–252.
Wedderburn ME, Tucker MA, Pengelly WJ, Ledgard SF (1990) Responses of a New Zealand North Island hill perennial ryegrass collection to nitrogen, moisture stress and grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) infestation. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 33, 405–411.
| Responses of a New Zealand North Island hill perennial ryegrass collection to nitrogen, moisture stress and grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) infestation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wedderburn ME, Crush JR, Pengelly WJ, Walcroft JL (2010) Root growth patterns of perennial ryegrasses under well-watered and drought conditions. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 377–388.
| Root growth patterns of perennial ryegrasses under well-watered and drought conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wheeler DM, Edmeades DC, Smith DR, Wedderburn ME (1992) Screening perennial ryegrass from New Zealand for aluminium tolerance. Plant and Soil 146, 9–19.
| Screening perennial ryegrass from New Zealand for aluminium tolerance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXktValt7o%3D&md5=dc0b11a7824d89849704e4c9320e4ad5CAS |
