Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 56-62 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Field crops research |
| Volume | 126 |
| Publication status | Published - 14 Feb 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Dry spells during the summer period affecting water uptake and plant growth in central Europe may occur more frequently in the future due to climate change. Improving the ability of crops to take up water from deeper soil layers is a potential strategy to secure water supply. The objective of this paper is to report on the effect of different preceding fodder crops on root growth and water uptake of spring wheat from the subsoil. Water extraction and root length density during grain filling of spring wheat were observed between anthesis and maturity in six different soil depths (0-15, 15-45, 45-60, 60-75, 75-90 and 90-105. cm) and with four different preceding crops: 1 year of fescue (Fes1Y), 2 years of chicory (Chi2Y), 2 years of lucerne (Luc2Y) and 3 years of chicory (Chi3Y). While there was no difference in total water extraction by wheat in the four crop sequences, water extraction from the deepest layer (90-105. cm) was significantly higher after 2 years of lucerne (Luc2Y). This was consistent with the root length densities measured in the 90-105 layer, which were 82, 89 and 112% higher in Luc2Y as compared to Fes1Y, Chi2Y and Chi3Y, respectively. Results suggest that lucerne as preceding crop supports deeper rooting and higher rooting density of following spring wheat enhancing access to water in deeper soil layers in response to prolonged dry spells. Effects facilitating root penetration like improved soil structure and higher nitrogen availability after lucerne are discussed. We conclude that suitable crop rotations with lucerne might be a cost-effective adaptation measure to overcome drought stress.
Keywords
- Crop sequence, Dry spells, Rooting density, Water uptake, Wheat
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Soil Science
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Field crops research, Vol. 126, 14.02.2012, p. 56-62.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Evidence of improved water uptake from subsoil by spring wheat following lucerne in a temperate humid climate
AU - Gaiser, Thomas
AU - Perkons, Ute
AU - Küpper, Paul Martin
AU - Puschmann, Daniel Uteau
AU - Peth, Stephan
AU - Kautz, Timo
AU - Pfeifer, Johannes
AU - Ewert, Frank
AU - Horn, Rainer
AU - Köpke, Ulrich
N1 - Funding Information: We are grateful for the provision of soil chemical and physical data by Stefan Pätzold and the technical assistance by Johannes Pfeifer, Reiner Lock, Christoph Oberdörster und Maximilian Weigand for installing and maintaining the soil moisture monitoring system. Funding by German Research Foundation within the Research Unit 1320 is gratefully acknowledged.
PY - 2012/2/14
Y1 - 2012/2/14
N2 - Dry spells during the summer period affecting water uptake and plant growth in central Europe may occur more frequently in the future due to climate change. Improving the ability of crops to take up water from deeper soil layers is a potential strategy to secure water supply. The objective of this paper is to report on the effect of different preceding fodder crops on root growth and water uptake of spring wheat from the subsoil. Water extraction and root length density during grain filling of spring wheat were observed between anthesis and maturity in six different soil depths (0-15, 15-45, 45-60, 60-75, 75-90 and 90-105. cm) and with four different preceding crops: 1 year of fescue (Fes1Y), 2 years of chicory (Chi2Y), 2 years of lucerne (Luc2Y) and 3 years of chicory (Chi3Y). While there was no difference in total water extraction by wheat in the four crop sequences, water extraction from the deepest layer (90-105. cm) was significantly higher after 2 years of lucerne (Luc2Y). This was consistent with the root length densities measured in the 90-105 layer, which were 82, 89 and 112% higher in Luc2Y as compared to Fes1Y, Chi2Y and Chi3Y, respectively. Results suggest that lucerne as preceding crop supports deeper rooting and higher rooting density of following spring wheat enhancing access to water in deeper soil layers in response to prolonged dry spells. Effects facilitating root penetration like improved soil structure and higher nitrogen availability after lucerne are discussed. We conclude that suitable crop rotations with lucerne might be a cost-effective adaptation measure to overcome drought stress.
AB - Dry spells during the summer period affecting water uptake and plant growth in central Europe may occur more frequently in the future due to climate change. Improving the ability of crops to take up water from deeper soil layers is a potential strategy to secure water supply. The objective of this paper is to report on the effect of different preceding fodder crops on root growth and water uptake of spring wheat from the subsoil. Water extraction and root length density during grain filling of spring wheat were observed between anthesis and maturity in six different soil depths (0-15, 15-45, 45-60, 60-75, 75-90 and 90-105. cm) and with four different preceding crops: 1 year of fescue (Fes1Y), 2 years of chicory (Chi2Y), 2 years of lucerne (Luc2Y) and 3 years of chicory (Chi3Y). While there was no difference in total water extraction by wheat in the four crop sequences, water extraction from the deepest layer (90-105. cm) was significantly higher after 2 years of lucerne (Luc2Y). This was consistent with the root length densities measured in the 90-105 layer, which were 82, 89 and 112% higher in Luc2Y as compared to Fes1Y, Chi2Y and Chi3Y, respectively. Results suggest that lucerne as preceding crop supports deeper rooting and higher rooting density of following spring wheat enhancing access to water in deeper soil layers in response to prolonged dry spells. Effects facilitating root penetration like improved soil structure and higher nitrogen availability after lucerne are discussed. We conclude that suitable crop rotations with lucerne might be a cost-effective adaptation measure to overcome drought stress.
KW - Crop sequence
KW - Dry spells
KW - Rooting density
KW - Water uptake
KW - Wheat
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80054871449&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.09.019
DO - 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.09.019
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:80054871449
VL - 126
SP - 56
EP - 62
JO - Field crops research
JF - Field crops research
SN - 0378-4290
ER -