Wheat cultivars with small root length density in the topsoil increased post-anthesis water use and grain yield in the semi-arid region on the Loess Plateau

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2021.126243
• Publication Date: 2021-02-10T01:33:48Z
• Authors: Yan Fang; Liyan Liang; Shuo Liu; Bingcheng Xu; Kadambot HM Siddique; Jairo A Palta; Yinglong Chen
• Keywords: Topsoil; Anthesis; Subsoil; Water use

Abstract Large distribution of roots in topsoil layers allow more uptake of soil water and nutrients during the vegetative growth, but it may be disadvantageous if soil water deficit develops during the reproductive stage. The relationship between the distribution of roots in topsoil (0–0.4 m) and soil water use, dry matter and nitrogen (N) accumulations, and grain yield was examined in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with contrasting root size in the topsoil. Two old landraces (CW134 and JM47, larger root length and biomass in the topsoil) and two modern wheat cultivars (CH58 and LH7, smaller root system size in the topsoil), were grown in the field during two seasons (2016–2017 and 2017–2018) under rainfed and irrigation conditions in the semi-arid farmland on the Loess Plateau. Root biomass and root length density (RLD) in topsoil (0–0.4 m) was significantly higher in the old landraces than in the modern cultivars (P