Root-tiller interrelationships in spring barley (Hordeum distichum (L.) Lam.)
1983
Anderson-Taylor, G. | Marshall, C.
Root-tiller relations were investigated in spring barley grown in soil in deep pots. The total dry wt of the root system reached its maximum 6 weeks from sowing, when the shoot weight was only 50 per cent of its value at maturity. Seminal and nodal roots comprised 40 and 60 per cent, respectively, of the total root dry wt at maturity; the majority of the nodal root weight was associated with the main shoot. The main shoot had approximately twice as many nodal roots as either of the first two primary tillers (T1 and T2), and the primary and secondary tillers appearing later were very poorly rooted. Some tillers, especially secondary tillers that died prematurely, produced no nodal roots. The weight of the seminal roots and nodal roots attached to the main shoot continued to increase up to maturity but the dry wt of nodal roots on tillers declined with time. This pattern of growth was closely related to the pattern of 14C assimilated distribution within the root system. A very small proportion of 14C assimilated by the main shoot and T1 and T2 was exported. The majority of the exported assimilate went to the seminal root system and to nodal roots attached to the main shoot. Individual nodal and seminal roots seemed to have different roles in supplying nutrients to the shoot system, with the former mainly providing 32P-phosphate to its tiller of origin and the latter generally supplying the main shoot and primary tillers.
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