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Root growth in biopores—evaluation with in situ endoscopy

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Abstract

Background and aims

The significance of biopores for nutrient acquisition from the subsoil depends on root-soil contact, which in turn is influenced by root architecture. The aim of this study was to detect differences regarding the architecture and root-soil contact of homorhizous barley roots (Hordeum vulgare L.) and allorhizous oilseed rape roots (Brassica napus L.) growing in biopores.

Methods

In situ endoscopy was used as a technique that allows non-destructive display of pore wall characteristics and root morphology inside large biopores under field conditions.

Results

For both crops, about 85 % of all roots did establish contact to the pore wall. However, according to their different root architecture, the two crops varied in their strategy of resource acquisition: While barley was characterized by thin vertical or ingrowing roots, most of them in direct contact to the pore wall, oilseed rape established contact to the pore wall predominantly via lateral roots.

Conclusions

Root morphological and pore wall assessment with in situ endoscopy in combination with detailed studies of soil biochemical and soil physical parameters of the pore wall is considered an essential prerequisite for more precise future modelling of nutrient acquisition and uptake.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft—DFG) within the framework of the research unit DFG FOR 1320. Details of the field trials potentially open for external researchers: www.for1320.uni-bonn.de.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Organic Agriculture, Katzenburgweg 3, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    Miriam Athmann, Timo Kautz & Ulrich Köpke

  2. Research Center Campus Klein-Altendorf, 53359, Rheinbach, Germany

    Ralf Pude

Authors
  1. Miriam Athmann
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  2. Timo Kautz
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  3. Ralf Pude
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  4. Ulrich Köpke
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Correspondence to Miriam Athmann.

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Responsible Editor: David James Chittleborough.

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Athmann, M., Kautz, T., Pude, R. et al. Root growth in biopores—evaluation with in situ endoscopy. Plant Soil 371, 179–190 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1673-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1673-5

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