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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2014, Vol. 13 Issue (9): 2028-2039    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(14)60751-6
Soil & Fertilization · Irrigation · Agro-Ecology & Environment Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Effects of Phosphorus Application in Different Soil Layers on Root Growth, Yield, and Water-Use Efficiency of Winter Wheat Grown Under Semi-Arid Conditions
 KANG Li-yun, YUE Shan-chao , LI Shi-qing
1、Sate Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, P.R.China
2、College of Forestry, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, P.R.China
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摘要  Deep phosphorus application can be a usefull measure to improve crops’ performance in semi-arid regions, but more knowledge of both its general effects and effects on specific crops is required to optimize treatments. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) application at different soil layers on root growth, grain yield, and water-use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat grown on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China and to explore the relationship between root distribution and grain yield. The experiment consisted of four P treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and two cultivars: one drought-sensitive (Xiaoyan 22, XY22) and one drought-tolerant (Changhan 58, CH58). The four P treatments were no P (control, CK), surface P (SP), deep P (DP), and deep-band P application (DBP). CH58 produced larger and deeper root systems, and had higher grain yields and WUE, under the deep P treatments (DP and DBP) than under SP, clearly showing that deep P placement had beneficial effects on the drought-tolerant cultivar. In contrast, the grain yield and root growth of XY22 did not differ between DP or DBP and SP treatments. Further, root dry weight (RW) and root length (RL) in deep soil layer (30-100 cm) were closely positively correlated with grain yield and WUE of CH58 (but not XY22), highlighting the connections between a well-developed subsoil root system and both high grain yield and WUE for the drought-tolerant cultivar. WUE correlated strongly with grain yield for both cultivars (r=0.94, P<0.001). In conclusion, deep application of P fertilizer is a practical and feasible means of increasing grain yield and WUE of rainfed winter wheat in semi-arid regions, by promoting deep root development of drought-tolerant cultivars.

Abstract  Deep phosphorus application can be a usefull measure to improve crops’ performance in semi-arid regions, but more knowledge of both its general effects and effects on specific crops is required to optimize treatments. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) application at different soil layers on root growth, grain yield, and water-use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat grown on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China and to explore the relationship between root distribution and grain yield. The experiment consisted of four P treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and two cultivars: one drought-sensitive (Xiaoyan 22, XY22) and one drought-tolerant (Changhan 58, CH58). The four P treatments were no P (control, CK), surface P (SP), deep P (DP), and deep-band P application (DBP). CH58 produced larger and deeper root systems, and had higher grain yields and WUE, under the deep P treatments (DP and DBP) than under SP, clearly showing that deep P placement had beneficial effects on the drought-tolerant cultivar. In contrast, the grain yield and root growth of XY22 did not differ between DP or DBP and SP treatments. Further, root dry weight (RW) and root length (RL) in deep soil layer (30-100 cm) were closely positively correlated with grain yield and WUE of CH58 (but not XY22), highlighting the connections between a well-developed subsoil root system and both high grain yield and WUE for the drought-tolerant cultivar. WUE correlated strongly with grain yield for both cultivars (r=0.94, P<0.001). In conclusion, deep application of P fertilizer is a practical and feasible means of increasing grain yield and WUE of rainfed winter wheat in semi-arid regions, by promoting deep root development of drought-tolerant cultivars.
Keywords:  water stress       phosphorus application       soil layers       grain yield       root growth       water-use efficiency  
Received: 25 September 2013   Accepted:
Fund: 

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270553), the National 973 Program of China (2009CB118604), and the Special Fund for Agro- Scientific Research in the Public Interest of China (201103003).

Corresponding Authors:  LI Shi-qing, Tel: +86-29-87016171, Fax: +86-29-87016171, E-mail: sqli@ ms.iswc.ac.cn     E-mail:  sqli@ms.iswc.ac.cn
About author:  KANG Li-yun, Mobile: 15617620306, E-mail: kangliyun2004@126.com

Cite this article: 

KANG Li-yun, YUE Shan-chao , LI Shi-qing. 2014. Effects of Phosphorus Application in Different Soil Layers on Root Growth, Yield, and Water-Use Efficiency of Winter Wheat Grown Under Semi-Arid Conditions. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 13(9): 2028-2039.

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