Root distribution, growth and activity with reference to agroforestry
1983
Huck, M.G. (Auburn Univ., Alabama (USA). US Department of Agriculture)
Agroforestry involves species mixtures of widely disparate kinds of plants one of which at least is a woody perennial. If such associations are to be selected and managed optimally, and if we are to fully understand the success of existing agroforestry plant associations then what is happening below ground cannot be ignored. The paper presents a brief summary of general information about roots and illustrated how there can be studies in rhizotron. The possibilities of using existing information about within plant growth regulation so as to model root growth is mentioned. Some of the situations in which competition for water and nutrients can be avoided or obviated, are mentioned and an understanding of these provides a way out for trial and error approach to the evaluation of the below ground state which is the only other alternative way of investigating it. Some characteristic problems of root growth in soils in arid zones, acid savannas and upland regions are mentioned and the need to encourage plant breeders to select for rooting characteristics for different sites is noted as a low cost way of overcoming some of the problems which will arise in agroforestry
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