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What root traits determine grass resistance to phosphorus deficiency in production grassland?
- Source :
-
Journal of Plant Nutrition & Soil Science . Jun2018, Vol. 181 Issue 3, p323-335. 13p. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Grasslands are a major form of agricultural land use worldwide. Current and future declines of phosphorus (P) inputs into production grasslands necessitate a shift towards selecting grass species based on high efficiency under suboptimal, rather than optimal P conditions. It is therefore imperative to identify key root traits that determine P acquisition of grasses in soils with a low P status. In a 9‐month greenhouse experiment, we grew eight common grass species and cultivars on a soil with a low P status and related root morphological traits to their performance under P‐limiting conditions. We applied (P1) or withheld (P0) P fertilization while providing adequate amounts of all other nutrients. Omitting P fertilization greatly reduced yield and nutrient acquisition for the various grass species. Biomass production differed significantly (P < 0.1%) among species and P fertilization treatments, varying from 17.1 to 72.1 g pot−1 in the P0 treatment and from 33.4 to 85.8 g pot−1 in the P1 treatment. Root traits were species‐specific and unresponsive to P fertilization, but overall we observed a trade‐off between root biomass and specific root length. Structural equation modeling identified total root length as key factor with respect to resistance to P deficiency, especially when roots explored the subsoil. Optimizing root length and subsoil exploration could be the key to maintaining high productivity of production grasslands with decreasing P availability. This is relevant for both plant breeding programs and for composing seed mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14368730
- Volume :
- 181
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Plant Nutrition & Soil Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 129957048
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201700093