Root length and distribution of field-grown buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

• Published in: Soil science and plant nutrition (Tokyo) Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 609 - 613
• Main Authors: "Murakami, T. (Nagano-ken. Chushin Agricultural Experiment Station, Shiojiri (Japan)), Murayama, S, Uchitsu, M, Yoshida, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Taylor & Francis Group 01.08.2002; Japanese Society of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; buckwheat; FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM; FIELDS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; LENGTH; MEASUREMENT; nitrogen; phosphorus; root length; ROOTS
• ISSN: 0038-0768; 1747-0765
• DOI: 10.1080/00380768.2002.10409245

"We determined the seasonal changes in the root system of field-grown buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Rooting soil volume was collected in 1L soil blocks to a 40cm depth, and roots were separated from soil by boiling. The root length was determined by the modified line intersect method. Root length increased constantly unit peak flowering, then did not increases, reaching a value of 18.9km m**-2 at harvest, corresponding to a surface area of 4.1square m m**-2 and an average length density of 4.7cm cm**-3. The fine root diameter decreased from 83 to 66 mm with the growth stage and the length/dry weight radio increased from 849 to 1,199mg**-1. Root length density was highest in the 0-10cm and/or 10-20cm soil layers and decreased below this depth. Nutrient uptake per unit root length was highest at the early growth stage, 0.51mg m**-1 for N and highest at the flower budding to peak flowering stages, 0.12mg m**-1 for P. Constraints on methodologies such as debris removal and labor reduction were outlined. A field containing few debris must be selected for root studies because the removal of a large amount of debris is laborious."