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Plant density modifies root system architecture in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) through a change in nodal root number

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Abstract

Aim

Previously, we showed that sowing density influences root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL) especially in the topsoil, and shallowness of fine roots of field grown spring barley (Hordeum vulagre L.). Here, we ask which trait components may explain these observed changes.

Method

We grew two spring barley cultivars at contrasting sowing densities in both field trials and rhizotrons, and excavated root crowns and imaged root growth.

Results

In the field, tiller and nodal root numbers per plant decreased with increasing sowing density, however, nodal roots per tiller, seminal roots per plant, and lateral branching frequencies were not affected. Branching angle did not or only slightly declined with increasing sowing density. In rhizotrons, aboveground only tiller number was affected by sowing density. Root growth rates and counts were not (or only slightly) affected.

Conclusion

Greater RLD at high sowing densities is largely explained by greater main root number per area. The altered seminal to nodal root ratio might explain observed increases in SRL. We conclude that sowing density is a modifier of root system architecture with probable functional consequences, and thereby an important factor to be considered in root studies or the development of root ideotypes for agriculture.

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Abbreviations

C_2013:

coring in field in 2013 for scanning of roots via NMR

CKA:

Field Lab Campus Klein-Altendorf (field site, research location in Germany)

D50:

depth at which one finds 50% of the total root length [cm]

DAG:

days after germination

DAS:

days after sowing

Field1_2013:

first shovelomics sampling in the field in 2013

Field2_2013:

second shovelomics sampling in the field in 2013

Field1_2014:

first shovelomics sampling in the field in 2014

Field2_2014:

second shovelomics sampling in the field in 2014

GDD:

growing degree days [°C]

NMR:

nuclear magnetic resonance

MRD:

maximum rooting depth (from soil surface to deepest root tip, cm)

RGR:

relative growth rate

Rhizo1:

first experiment in rhizotrons

Rhizo2:

second experiment in rhizotrons

Rhizo3:

third experiment in rhizotrons

RLD:

root length density [root length per unit soil, cm cm−3]

RSA:

root system architecture

Sowing density:

applied treatment, in seeds m−2

SRL:

specific root length [root dry mass per root length, g m−1]

TRL:

total root length (visible at window)

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the diligent farming work at the barley experiment done by the employees of the Campus Klein-Altendorf research station (Germany), especially Winfried Bungert. Further, we thank all the people who helped with sample taking and processing, especially, Jessica Weadow (sample taking and processing), Dagmar van Dusschoten (NMR image acquisition and processing; rhizotron imaging in Rhizo2), Marcel Schneider (sample taking), Christian Kuppe (sample taking), Ann-Kathrin Kleinert (sample taking and processing), Annalena Johnen (sample taking and processing), Anna Galinski (sample taking), Carmen Müller (sample taking), Phil Pstrong (sample taking), Henning Lentz (sample taking), Tanja Goia (sample taking), Jonas Lenz (sample taking), Ines Hecht (sample taking), Igor Lazarevits (sample taking and data acquisition), Simone Schmittgen (sample taking). This research was institutionally funded by the Helmholtz Association (POF III Program—Research Field Key Technologies—Key Technologies for the Bioeconomy).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geoscience - IBG-2: Plant Science, 52425, Jülich, Germany

    V. L. Hecht, V. M. Temperton, K. A. Nagel, U. Rascher & Johannes A. Postma

  2. Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, 213335, Lüneburg, Germany

    V. M. Temperton

  3. Field Lab Campus Klein-Altendorf, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Klein-Altendorf 2, 53359, Rheinbach, Germany

    R. Pude

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  1. V. L. Hecht
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  3. K. A. Nagel
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Correspondence to Johannes A. Postma.

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Hecht, V.L., Temperton, V.M., Nagel, K.A. et al. Plant density modifies root system architecture in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) through a change in nodal root number. Plant Soil 439, 179–200 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3764-9

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