Types, structure and potential for axial water flow in the deepest roots of field-grown cereals

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 178; no. 1; pp. 135 - 146
• Main Authors: Watt, Michelle, Magee, Linda J., McCully, Margaret E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2008; Blackwell Publishing; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: anatomy & histology; Barley; Branches; cereal; Cereal grains; crops; deep soil; electron microscopy; field; fluorescence; fluorescence microscopy; genetics; microscopy; physiology; Plant Roots; Plant Roots - anatomy & histology; Plant Roots - physiology; Plants; Poaceae; Poaceae - anatomy & histology; Poaceae - physiology; Root systems; roots; Soil; tracheary elements; Triticale; Water; Water - physiology; water flow; Wheat; Wheat soils; Xylem; Xylem - physiology

Deep root systems that extend into moist soil can significantly increase plant productivity. Here, the components of soil-grown root systems of wheat, barley and triticale are characterized, and types and water conducting potential of deep roots in the field are assessed. Root system components were...