PJB-2018-1625
Effect of nitrogen application on nodal root characteristics and root lodging resistance in maize
Shengqun Liu, Fengbin Song, Xiangnan Li, Yang Wang and Xiancan Zhu
Abstract
Increased plant density has a greater risk of lodging than decreased plant density because of the changes in the root system structure. The root architecture and nutrition uptake of high-density populations can be regulated by nitrogen regimes in maize. In this study, the effects of nitrogen application on root system structure and lodging resistance of a high-density maize population was evaluated. Using the maize XY335 as an experimental model, lodging-related root traits and shoot parameters were evaluated under various planting densities [4.50 × 104, 6.75 × 104,and 9.00 × 104·hm-2 (LD, MD, and HD, respectively)] and nitrogen applications [0, 225, and 337.5 kg·N·hm-2 (N0, N1, and N2, respectively)]. The root failure moment (Rfm), root plate diameter (d), and the diameter and number of nodal roots per maize plant were measured. Results showed that nitrogen application increased Rfm, root plate diameter, and the number and diameter of nodal roots on stem node P6–P8. A significant positive linear relationship between Rfm and root plate diameter was found. In addition, the root plate diameter showed a significant positive linear relationship with the weighted mean of nodal root diameters on stem node P5–P8. In conclusion, nitrogen application significantly enhanced the lodging resistance by regulating the number and diameter of nodal roots in maize
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