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Root Growth and Water Extraction Patterns from a Calcic Horizon
Author(s) -
Georgen P. G.,
DavisCarter Jessica,
Taylor H. M.
Publication year - 1991
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/sssaj1991.03615995005500010036x
Subject(s) - horizon , loam , soil horizon , sunflower , soil water , helianthus annuus , agronomy , geology , root system , environmental science , soil science , biology , mathematics , geometry
There is considerable uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of calcic horizons in supplying water to plants. We conducted a field experiment on Acuff fine sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic Aridic Paleustoll) that contained a calcic horizon starting at 0.65‐ to 1.30‐m depth. Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L. ‘Gro‐Agri 380’), kochia ( Kochia scoparia [L.] Schrader), and cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘GSA‐71’) were grown to determine if (i) plant roots can proliferate readily within a calcic horizon, (ii) plant roots are as effective in extracting water from the calcic horizon as from overlying horizons and (iii) there are differences among the three species in the ability of their root systems to extract water from calcic horizons. We concluded that (i) plant roots proliferated readily in the calcic horizons, (ii) kochia roots were more effective in extracting water from the calcic horizon than from overlying layers, (iii) sunflower root systems were substantially more effective than cotton root systems in extracting water from calcic horizons, and (iv) plant roots seemed to be less effective in extracting water when they first entered a soil layer, compared with their effectiveness a few days later.