Grass root turn-over for improved soil hydrology to combat flooding

• Main Authors: Humphreys, Michael W, Turner, Lesley B, O'Donovan, S. A, Macleod, Christopher J. A, King, Ian P, Whalley, W. R, Haygarth, Philip M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Grassland Federation 2010

A Lolium perenne × Festuca pratensis cultivar demonstrates rapid and extensive root growth, in excess of either its parent species. Root turn-over at depth in the soil has a major effect on soil structure and porosity and thereby aids water retention and flood control improving water quality by mitigating against run-off of diffuse sediment and nutrients. Improved soil water retention together with increased root development at depth also improves access to scarce water resources and reduces impacts from drought stress when the water supply may be limited. We demonstrate heterosis between Lolium and Festuca gene sequences capable of providing grasslands with new multifunctional capabilities providing safeguards against flooding and improved food security with increased crop resilience to climate change. We identify QTL in Festulolium relevant to root growth and turn-over.