C. Zou et al., Effects of soil air-filled porosity, soil matric potential and soil strength on primary root growth of radiata pine seedlings, PLANT SOIL, 236(1), 2001, pp. 105-115
The effects of soil air-filled porosity, soil matric potential and soil str
ength on primary root growth of radiata pine ( Pinus radiata D. Don) seedli
ngs were examined in four soil textures ranging from coarse to fine.
At low penetrometer resistance (< 0.5 MPa) and high soil matric potential (
greater than or equal to - 0.01 MPa), root elongation rate was close to zer
o when air-filled porosity was < 0.05 m(3) m(-)3, and it increased sharply
to 90% of its maximum value at 0.15 m(3)m(-3). This relationship was indepe
ndent of soil texture. The diameter of the root tip increased as air-filled
porosity decreased, particularly below 0.10 m(3) m(-3).
Root elongation rate decreased linearly with decreasing soil matric potenti
al over the range - 0.01 to -0.35 MPa at both 0.5 MPa and 1.5 MPa soil stre
ngth. This relationship was independent of soil texture. The rate of root e
longation at 0.5 MPa was about twice that at 1.5 MPa and the rate of decrea
se in root elongation with decreasing soil matric potential was 1.35 times
greater at the lower (0.5 MPa) than the higher (1.5 MPa) soil strength. The
effect of water potential (over the range -0.01 to -1.5 MPa) on root elong
ation at zero soil strength was simulated using PEG 4000 solutions as rooti
ng media. Root elongation declined exponentially over the range of water po
tentials established in the rooting medium.
Root elongation rate decreased exponentially with increasing soil strength
when soil matric potential was constant and air-filled porosity was > 0.20
m(3) m(-3). This relationship was independent of soil texture. Root elongat
ion rate was half its maximum at a penetrometer resistance of 1.3 MPa. Incr
easing bulk density has a greater effect of increasing soil strength in coa
rse soil than in fine soil but decreasing soil water content has a greater
effect on increasing soil strength in fine soil than in coarse soil.