Rights statement: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gao, W., Hodgkinson, L., Jin, K., Watts, C. W., Ashton, R. W., Shen, J., Ren, T., Dodd, I. C., Binley, A., Phillips, A. L., Hedden, P., Hawkesford, M. J., and Whalley, W. R. (2016) Deep roots and soil structure. Plant, Cell & Environment, doi: 10.1111/pce.12684. which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pce.12684/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Accepted author manuscript, 651 KB, PDF document
Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Final published version, 659 KB, PDF document
Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Final published version
Licence: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Deep roots and soil structure
AU - Gao, W.
AU - Hodgkinson, Laura
AU - Jin, K.
AU - Watts, Chris W.
AU - Ashton, Rhys W.
AU - Shen, J.
AU - Ren, T.
AU - Dodd, Ian Charles
AU - Binley, Andrew Mark
AU - Phillips, Andrew L.
AU - Hedden, P.
AU - Hawkesford, Malcolm J.
AU - Whalley, William R.
PY - 2016/8
Y1 - 2016/8
N2 - In this opinion article we examine the relationship between penetrometer resistance and soil depth in the field. Assuming that root growth is inhibited at penetrometer resistances > 2.5 MPa, we conclude that in most circumstances the increases in penetrometer resistance with depth are sufficiently great to confine most deep roots to elongating in existing structural pores. We suggest that deep rooting is more likely related to the interaction between root architecture and soil structure than it is to the ability of a root to deform strong soil. Although the ability of roots to deform strong soil is an important trait, we propose it is more closely related to root exploration of surface layers than deep rooting.
AB - In this opinion article we examine the relationship between penetrometer resistance and soil depth in the field. Assuming that root growth is inhibited at penetrometer resistances > 2.5 MPa, we conclude that in most circumstances the increases in penetrometer resistance with depth are sufficiently great to confine most deep roots to elongating in existing structural pores. We suggest that deep rooting is more likely related to the interaction between root architecture and soil structure than it is to the ability of a root to deform strong soil. Although the ability of roots to deform strong soil is an important trait, we propose it is more closely related to root exploration of surface layers than deep rooting.
U2 - 10.1111/pce.12684
DO - 10.1111/pce.12684
M3 - Journal article
VL - 39
SP - 1662
EP - 1668
JO - Plant, Cell and Environment
JF - Plant, Cell and Environment
SN - 0140-7791
IS - 8
ER -