The age of a root segment is inversely related to its nutrient uptake
activity (uptake rate per unit root length). It is uncertain how this
information should be incorporated into nutrient uptake models, due to
our inability to characterize the age of a whole root system. A metho
d of calculating an integrated root system age (IRSA) was defined, and
two solution experiments were conducted to relate the N uptake activi
ty of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to root age. Literature data
also were analyzed to characterize the relationship between IRSA and
nutrient uptake activity of whole plant root systems, Integrated root
system age was defined as the summation of the mean ages of root segme
nts produced during each growth period weighted by the ratio of the ro
ot length generated during each growth period to total root length. Th
e NH4 and NO3 uptake activity of spring wheat decreased with plant age
as IRSA increased, while plants with similar IRSA at 14 and 21 d had
similar N uptake activity. These relationships between IRSA and the up
take activity of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg of corn (Zea mays L,) were also r
evealed from an analysis of published data. In young root systems, nut
rient uptake activity declined rapidly as IRSA increased, while older
root systems (IRSA >10 to 15 d) maintained a relatively low and gradua
lly declining nutrient uptake activity with increasing IRSA, The IRSA
is a useful parameter for characterizing nutrient uptake activity of a
n entire root system, providing a potential tool for modeling nutrient
uptake.