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Vertical Root Distribution of Different Cover Crops Determined with the Profile Wall Method

Author

Listed:
  • Roman Kemper

    (Department of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany)

  • Tábata A. Bublitz

    (Department of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany)

  • Phillip Müller

    (Department of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany)

  • Timo Kautz

    (Department of Agronomy and Crop Science, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 5, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Thomas F. Döring

    (Department of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany)

  • Miriam Athmann

    (Department of Agroecology and Organic Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

Many benefits of cover crops such as prevention of nitrate leaching, erosion reduction, soil organic carbon enhancement and improvement of soil structure are associated with roots. However, including root characteristics as a criterion for cover crop selection requires more knowledge on their root growth dynamics. Seven cover crop species (crimson clover, winter rye, bristle oats, blue lupin, oil radish, winter turnip rape and phacelia) were grown in a two-year organically managed field experiment in Germany to screen them for root intensity and vertical root distribution. Root length density (RLD) and proportion of root length in large-sized biopores were determined before and after winter with the profile wall method. RLD and cumulative root length were analysed using a three-parameter logistic function, and a logistic dose-response function, respectively. Fibrous rooted winter rye and crimson clover showed high RLD in topsoil and had a shallow cumulative root distribution. Their RLD increased further during winter in topsoil and subsoil. The crops with the highest RLD in the subsoil were taprooted oil radish, winter turnip rape and phacelia. Bristle oat had intermediate features. Blue lupin had low RLD in topsoil and subsoil. Phacelia, oil radish, winter turnip rape and bristle oat showed the highest share of root length in biopores. These complementary root characteristics suggest that combining cover crops of different root types in intercropping may be used to enhance overall RLD for maximizing cover crop benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Roman Kemper & Tábata A. Bublitz & Phillip Müller & Timo Kautz & Thomas F. Döring & Miriam Athmann, 2020. "Vertical Root Distribution of Different Cover Crops Determined with the Profile Wall Method," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:11:p:503-:d:435880
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Roman Wacławowicz & Magdalena Giemza & Elżbieta Pytlarz & Anna Wenda-Piesik, 2023. "The Impact of Cultivation Systems on Weed Suppression and the Canopy Architecture of Spring Barley," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Inga Dirks & Juliane Streit & Catharina Meinen, 2021. "Above and Belowground Relative Yield Total of Clover–Ryegrass Mixtures Exceed One in Wet and Dry Years," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, March.

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