Influence of Dry Matter and Length of Roots on Growth of Five Field Crops at Varying Soil Zinc and Copper Levels

Abstract

Information on influence of root dry weight and root length on shoot dry matter accumulation in annual crops grown in the Cerrado region of Brazil is limited. Ten greenhouse experiments were conducted on Oxisols with the objective to assess the influence of the root dry weight and root length on shoot yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Significant and positive relations were observed between root length and root weight and shoot yield of five crops. Overall, variation in dry matter yield of crops was higher by root dry weight compared with root length. This shows that dry weight of roots is relatively a better indicator to predict shoot dry matter accumulation in annual crops. Shoot dry matter production efficiency (shoot dry weight/root dry weight) was in the order of common bean > soybean > wheat > upland rice > corn. Hence, legume crops roots have higher dry matter production efficiencies compared to cereal crops.

Keywords:

• Glycine max
• Oryza sativa
• Phaseolus vulgaris
• Triticum aestivum
• Zea mays

Acknowledgements

Author is thankful to Dr. V. C. Baligar, Supervisory Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, for peer review of manuscript.