Corn responses to oxygen deficiency applied to nodal and/or seminal roots

Abstract

A split root technique was used to study the effect of oxygen deficiency (D) and no deficiency (0) in soil on corn (Zea mays L.) growth. Treatments were 0–0, 0‐D, D‐0 and D‐D where the first letter corresponds to nodal roots and the second to seminal roots. Treatments were applied for 15 days to 13‐day‐old plants. Top dry matter production decreased 35.5% with D‐0, 51.1% with 0‐D and 61.5% with D‐D. However, root dry matter production increased 1.30% with D‐0, 12.4% with 0‐D, and 69.5% with D‐D. This behavior was due to higher nodal root dry matter production, which was 0.125 g in 0–0, 0.241 g in D‐0, 0.488 g in 0‐D, and 0.855 g in D‐D, while seminal root dry matter production was 0.546 g in 0–0, 0.439 g in D‐0, 0.265 g in 0‐D, and 0.273 g in D‐D. Root surface increased under D, due to a higher ramification of nodal roots that grew toward the soil or water surface. Leaf area decreased from 527.8 cm² in 0–0 to 431.4 cm² in D‐0, to 362.7 cm² in 0‐D, and to 167.4 cm² in D‐D.

Key words:

• Corn
• oxygen deficiency
• root surface area
• N
• P
• K uptake