Nutrient uptake by maize roots: vertical distribution of uptake rates during the vegetation period
2003
Novak, V.,Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava (Slovak Republic). Institute of Hydrology
This contribution presents a proposal of semiempirical method to estimate vertical profiles of nutrients uptake rate by plant roots, based on results of field measurements of soil û plant û atmosphere continuum (SPAC). The transport of chemicals in porous media can be described by convection-dispersion equation, containing sink term, characterising the solute (nutrients) uptake by roots. To determine this sink term was the aim of presented study. The data û necessary for determination of nutrients uptake rate profiles û during plants ontogenesis were acquired by measurement in the field site with maize canopy, near Trnava locality, South Slovakia. The proposed method of vertical profiles of nutrients uptake calculation is based on the estimated direct proportionality between nutrients uptake rate (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and transpiration intensity during ten days time intervals. Shorter time interval is not recommended to be utilised, because estimation errors are comparable to the changes of estimated values of nutrients concentration in plants. A nutrient uptake rates profiles can be determined using the Eq. (9), knowing water uptake rate profiles and the ratio of transpiration flux and particular nutrient uptake rate. The nutrient uptake rate profile calculated by the proposed method can be incorporated into the convection-dispersion equation and is used to model nutrient transport in the soil, taking into account uptake of particular nutrients by plants, during the vegetation period. Comparison of nitrogen uptake rates estimated from field measurements and those, calculated by the presented method shows significant differences in some cases, but seems to be applicable for mathematical modelling of nutrients uptake by plants.
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