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Influence of Nitrogen Fertilization and Clipping on Grass Roots
Author(s) -
Oswalt D. L.,
Bertrand A. R.,
Teel M. R.
Publication year - 1959
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1959.03615995002300030022x
Subject(s) - clipping (morphology) , rhizome , nitrogen , human fertilization , elongation , agronomy , biology , moisture , horticulture , botany , chemistry , materials science , philosophy , linguistics , organic chemistry , ultimate tensile strength , metallurgy
Strategic placement of P 32 and root excavations revealed that roots of orchardgrass and bromegrass reached a greater depth when no N was applied. Nitrogen increased the root diameter and decreased the rate of elongation causing the plants to feed near the soil surface for a longer period of time. Defoliation stopped root growth within 24 hours and induced decomposition of the existing roots within 36 to 48 hours. Uptake of P 32 placed in the existing root zone 24 to 48 hours after clipping was not detected until new roots reached the activated zone. New roots were initiated from basal leaf nodes of orchardgrass and rhizome nodes of bromegrass. Removal of all roots at the time of defoliation did not influence the rate of regrowth from transplanted sod plugs under optimum soil moisture conditions.