Timing matters: Distinct effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application timing on root system architecture responses
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Timing matters: Distinct effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application timing on root system architecture responses. / van Duijnen, Richard; Uther, Hannah; Härdtle, Werner et al.
In: Plant-Environment Interactions, Vol. 2, No. 4, 01.08.2021, p. 194-205.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Timing matters: Distinct effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application timing on root system architecture responses
AU - van Duijnen, Richard
AU - Uther, Hannah
AU - Härdtle, Werner
AU - Temperton, Vicky
AU - Kumar, Amit
PY - 2021/8/1
Y1 - 2021/8/1
N2 - Aims: Although different plant foraging responses to the two macronutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are well researched, the effect of timing of fertilizer application on root system architecture (RSA) remains largely unknown. We, therefore, aimed to understand how RSA of Hordeum vulgare L. responds to timing of N and P application. Methods: Plants were grown in rhizoboxes for 38 days in nutrient-poor soil and watered with nutrient solution, lacking either N or P, with the absent nutrient applied once either 2/3/4 weeks after sowing. Positive controls were continuously receiving N and P and a negative control receiving both N and P only after 3 weeks. We tracked root growth over time, measured plant biomass and nutrient uptake. Results: Late N application strongly reduced total root biomass and visible root length compared with continuous NP and late P application. Root mass fractions (total root biomass/total plant biomass) remained similar over all treatments, but relative allocation (% of total root biomass) was higher in lower depth with late N application. Shoot P concentrations remained relatively stable, but the plants receiving P later had higher N concentrations. Conclusions: Late N application had overall more negative effects on early plant growth compared with late P. We propose that future studies under field conditions should try to disentangle the effect of timing from the nutrient availability on RSA responses and hence ultimately plant performance.
AB - Aims: Although different plant foraging responses to the two macronutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are well researched, the effect of timing of fertilizer application on root system architecture (RSA) remains largely unknown. We, therefore, aimed to understand how RSA of Hordeum vulgare L. responds to timing of N and P application. Methods: Plants were grown in rhizoboxes for 38 days in nutrient-poor soil and watered with nutrient solution, lacking either N or P, with the absent nutrient applied once either 2/3/4 weeks after sowing. Positive controls were continuously receiving N and P and a negative control receiving both N and P only after 3 weeks. We tracked root growth over time, measured plant biomass and nutrient uptake. Results: Late N application strongly reduced total root biomass and visible root length compared with continuous NP and late P application. Root mass fractions (total root biomass/total plant biomass) remained similar over all treatments, but relative allocation (% of total root biomass) was higher in lower depth with late N application. Shoot P concentrations remained relatively stable, but the plants receiving P later had higher N concentrations. Conclusions: Late N application had overall more negative effects on early plant growth compared with late P. We propose that future studies under field conditions should try to disentangle the effect of timing from the nutrient availability on RSA responses and hence ultimately plant performance.
KW - Ecosystems Research
KW - barley
KW - fertilizer
KW - functional traits
KW - rhizobox
KW - root system architecture
KW - root traits
KW - timing
KW - barley
KW - fertilizer
KW - funtional traits
KW - rhizobox
KW - root system architecture
KW - root traits
KW - timing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124879090&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/pei3.10057
DO - 10.1002/pei3.10057
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 2
SP - 194
EP - 205
JO - Plant-Environment Interactions
JF - Plant-Environment Interactions
SN - 2575-6265
IS - 4
ER -