Summary
Rooting and water uptake patterns were determined for three maize (Zea mays L) varieties field-grown during the 1983/84 dry season under seven irrigation levels on a sandy loam soil. Roots were mainly concentrated in the top 22 cm due to a 40 cm thick compact gravelly layer occurring from about this depth in the profile. There were significant varietal differences, distinguished by root length density (RLD) and length/weight ratio (LAR) distributions at depth and at varying soil moisture regimes. These properties were related to water extraction patterns and grain yields.
Yields obtained at adequate soil moisture were 6.9 tha−1 for TZESR-W (var 1), 4.2 t/ha for TZSR-W (var 2) and 3.7t ha−1 for FARZ-7 (var 3). These yeilds were respectively associated with maximum RLD of 2.56, 1.88 and 1.70 cm cm−3 and corresponding LWR of 2.64, 1.93 and 1.62 cm mg−1. Average seasonal water uptake was estimated at 4.2, 3.0 and 2.8 mm day−1 for var 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Better performance of var 1 was attributed to the development of a more active and deep rooting system.
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Aina, P.O., Fapohunda, H.O. Root distribution and water uptake patterns of maize cultivars field-grown under differential irrigation. Plant Soil 94, 257–265 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374349
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374349