Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2013, Vol. 12 Issue (3): 426-435    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60243-9
PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY · TILLAGE · CULTIVATION Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Studies on the Root Characteristics of Maize Varieties of Different Eras
 ZHANG Feng-lu, NIU Xing-kui, ZHANG Yi-ming, XIE Rui-zhi, LIU Xin, LI Shao-kun , GAO Shi-ju
1.Key Laboratory of Crop Growth Regulation, Science and Technology Department of Hebei Province/College of Agronomy, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071001, P.R.China
2.Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, P.R.China
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  Experiment was conducted at the Gongzhuling Experimental Station of Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jilin Province, China, during 2009-2010. Six representative varieties of maize (Baihe in the 1950s, Jidan 101 in the 1960s, Zhongdan 2 in the 1970s, Yedan 13 in the 1980s, Zhengdan 958 in the 1990s, and Xianyu 335 in the 2000s) were each planted under two different densities (52 500 and 82 500 plants ha-1) and two different nitrogen application levels (150 and 300 kg ha-1). Root characteristics and distribution among soil layers were studied by the field root digging method. The results showed that root mass increased with the process of the growth and development of the plant, and it peaked at kernel filling stage, and decreased at maturity due to the root senesces. Root mass of different maize varieties from the 1950s to 1980s had a trend of increase, while it decreased for the modern varieties. Root length and root surface areas had the similar changing trend. The study suggested that early maize varieties may have root redundancy, and reducing root redundancy may be a direction for variety improvement for high yield. Root characteristics were affected by nitrogen application level and density; modern varieties were more suitable for higher fertilizer application level and density conditions. Root characteristics distribution among soil layers decreased by an exponent equation, but the regression coefficients of different varieties were different. Though the root length density (RLD) of every soil layer of different varieties also decreased by an exponent equation, there were large variations of RLD in every part of a layer.

Abstract  Experiment was conducted at the Gongzhuling Experimental Station of Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jilin Province, China, during 2009-2010. Six representative varieties of maize (Baihe in the 1950s, Jidan 101 in the 1960s, Zhongdan 2 in the 1970s, Yedan 13 in the 1980s, Zhengdan 958 in the 1990s, and Xianyu 335 in the 2000s) were each planted under two different densities (52 500 and 82 500 plants ha-1) and two different nitrogen application levels (150 and 300 kg ha-1). Root characteristics and distribution among soil layers were studied by the field root digging method. The results showed that root mass increased with the process of the growth and development of the plant, and it peaked at kernel filling stage, and decreased at maturity due to the root senesces. Root mass of different maize varieties from the 1950s to 1980s had a trend of increase, while it decreased for the modern varieties. Root length and root surface areas had the similar changing trend. The study suggested that early maize varieties may have root redundancy, and reducing root redundancy may be a direction for variety improvement for high yield. Root characteristics were affected by nitrogen application level and density; modern varieties were more suitable for higher fertilizer application level and density conditions. Root characteristics distribution among soil layers decreased by an exponent equation, but the regression coefficients of different varieties were different. Though the root length density (RLD) of every soil layer of different varieties also decreased by an exponent equation, there were large variations of RLD in every part of a layer.
Keywords:  maize       root characteristics       root distribution       varieties of different eras       density       fertility  
Received: 28 February 2012   Accepted:
Fund: 

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB118605), the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (31071362), and the Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 12th Five- Year Plan period (2011BAD16B08).

Corresponding Authors:  Correspondence LI Shao-kun, Tel: +86-10-82105791, Fax: +86-10- 82108891, E-mail: Lishk@mail.caas.net.cn   
About author:  ZHANG Feng-lu, Tel: +86-312-7528116, Fax: +86-312-7528400, E-mail: nxyumi@hebau.edu.cn;

Cite this article: 

ZHANG Feng-lu, NIU Xing-kui, ZHANG Yi-ming, XIE Rui-zhi, LIU Xin, LI Shao-kun , GAO Shi-ju. 2013. Studies on the Root Characteristics of Maize Varieties of Different Eras. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 12(3): 426-435.

[1]Aboulroos S A, Holan S S, Hagag A A. 1992. Effect ofnitrogen and soil moisture on root growth and nutrientinflux by corn. Egyption Journal of Soil Science, 32,483-496

[2]Chen C Y, Hou H P, Li Q, Zhu P, Zhang Z Y, Dong Z Q,Zhao M. 2010. Effects of planting density onphotosynthetic characteristics and changes of carbonand nitrogen in leaf of different corn hybrids. ActaAgronomica Sinica, 36, 871-878

[3]Chen Y J, Xiao B L, Wang Y, Lu B, Gao Z Q. 2008. Thestrategy and prospect of Chinese corn developmenttrend. Economic Problems of Agriculture, 7, 27-31

[4](inChinese)Ci X K, Zhang S, Xie Z, Xu J, Lu Z, Zhang D, Li X, Xie C, LiB, Li M, et al. 2010. Comparison of analysis method ofgenetic yield gains for the single-cross hybrids releasedduring 1970s-2000s Acta Agronomica Sinica, 36, 2185-2190

[5]Dong S T, Wang K J, Hu C H. 2000. Development of canopyapparent photosynthesis among maize varieties fromdifferent eras. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 26, 700-706

[6]Duan M X. 2005. Some advice on corn breeding obtainedfrom the elite varieties of Nongda 108 and Zhengdan958. Journal of Maize Sciences, 13, 49-52. (in Chinese)

[7]Duvick D N, Cassman K G. 1999. Post green revolutiontrends in yield potential of temperate maize in the northcentralUnited States. Crop Science, 39, 1622-1630

[8]Guan J H, Guo X Y, Liu Y, Liu K L. 2007. Study on dynamicvariation of root dry weight space distribution ondifferent densities of maize. Journal of Maize Sciences,15, 105-108 (in Chinese)

[9]Hammer G L, Dong Z, McLean G. 2009. Can changes in canopy and/or root system architecture explainhistorical maize yield trends in the U.S. corn belt? CropScience, 49, 299-312

[10]Li S K, Liu J D. 1993. Roots distribution, weight regulationand their relation with shoot growth of maize underdifferent plant density in field. Journal of MaizeSciences, 1, 43-49 (in Chinese)

[11]Li S K, Tu H Y. 1992. Distribution of maize root in soil andits relation with shoot growth. Xinjiang AgricultureScience, 3, 99-103. (in Chinese)

[12]Liu P L, Lin Q, Sui F G, Sun Z Q. 1994. A study on thecharacteristics root system in high-yield upright-leafmaize. Journal of Maize Sciences, 2, 59-63. (in Chinese)

[13]Liu W, Lv P, Su K, Yang J S, Zhang J W, Dong S T, Liu P,Sun Q Q. 2010. Effects of planting density on the grainyield and source-sink characteristics of summer maize.Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 21, 1737-1743.(in Chinese)

[14]Lynch J. 1995. Root architecture and plant productivity.Plant Physiology, 109, 7-13.Mu Z X, Zhang S Q , Hao W F, Liang A H, Liang Z. 2005.The effect of root morphological traits and spatialdistribution on WUE in maize. Scientia AgriculturaSinica, 11, 896-290. (in Chinese)

[15]Muchow R C, Carberry P S. 1989. Environmental control ofphenology and leaf growth in a tropically adapted maize.Field Crops Research, 20, 221-236

[16]Robinson D. 2001. Root proliferation, nitrate inflow andtheir carbon costs during nitrogen capture bycompeting plants in patchy soil. Plant Soil, 232, 41-50

[17]Sangoi L. 2001. Understanding plant density effects onmaize growth and development: an important issue tomaximize grain yield. Ciencias Marinas, 31, 159-168

[18]Tollenaar M, Lee E A. 2002. Yield potential, yield stabilityand stress tolerance in maize. Field Crops Research,75, 161-169

[19]Vanvuren M I, Robinson D, Griffiths B S. 1996. Nutrientinflow and root proliferation during the exploitation ofa temporally and spatially discrete source of nitrogenin soil. Plant Soil, 178, 185-192

[20]Wang K J, Dong S T, Hu C H, Liu K C, Zhang J W. 2002.The evolution of physiological characteristics of maizeroot during varieties replacing in China, 1950s to 1990s.I. Changes in root vigor and ATPase activity. ActaAgronomica Sinica, 28, 185 -189 (in Chinese)

[21]Wang K J, Zheng H J, Liu K C, Zhang J W, Dong S T, Hu CH. 2001. Evolution of maize root distribution in spacetimeduring maize varieties replacing in China. ActaPhytoecologica Sinica, 25, 472- 475. (in Chinese)Wang Q X, Wang P, Yang X Y, Zhai Z X, Wang X L, ShenL X. 2003. Effects of nitrogen application time on rootdistribution and its activity in maize (Zea mays L.).Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 36, 1469-1475 (in Chinese)

[22]Wiesler F, Horst W J. 1993. Differences among maizecultivars in the utilization of soil nitrate and the relatedlosses of nitrate through leaching. Plant Soil, 151, 193-203

[23]Yan Y, Liao C S, Zhang F S, Li C J. 2010. The causalrelationship of the decreased shoot and root growth ofmaize plants under higher plant density. Plant Nutritionand Fertilizer Science, 16, 257-265

[24]Zhang D Y, Sun G J, Jiang X H. 1999. Donald’s ideotypeand growth redundancy: A game theoretical analysisField Crops Research, 61, 179-187

[25]Zhang Y, Jing X Q, Wang Y B, Li L X, Zhang B S. 2010.Research on suitable plant density of maize hybridswith different plant types. Journal of Maize Sciences,18, 77-80
[1] Lichao Zhai, Shijia Song, Lihua Zhang, Jinan Huang, Lihua Lv, Zhiqiang Dong, Yongzeng Cui, Mengjing Zheng, Wanbin Hou, Jingting Zhang, Yanrong Yao, Yanhong Cui, Xiuling Jia. Subsoiling before winter wheat alleviates the kernel position effect of densely grown summer maize by delaying post-silking root–shoot senescence[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(9): 3384-3402.
[2] Ling Ai, Ju Qiu, Jiuguang Wang, Mengya Qian, Tingting Liu, Wan Cao, Fangyu Xing, Hameed Gul, Yingyi Zhang, Xiangling Gong, Jing Li, Hong Duan, Qianlin Xiao, Zhizhai Liu. A naturally occurring 31 bp deletion in TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 causes branched ears in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(9): 3322-3333.
[3] Jinpeng Li, Siqi Wang, Zhongwei Li, Kaiyi Xing, Xuefeng Tao, Zhimin Wang, Yinghua Zhang, Chunsheng Yao, Jincai Li. Effects of micro-sprinkler irrigation and topsoil compaction on winter wheat grain yield and water use efficiency in the Huaibei Plain, China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(8): 2974-2988.
[4] Zhongwei Tian, Yanyu Yin, Bowen Li, Kaitai Zhong, Xiaoxue Liu, Dong Jiang, Weixing Cao, Tingbo Dai. Optimizing planting density and nitrogen application to mitigate yield loss and improve grain quality of late-sown wheat under rice–wheat rotation[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(7): 2558-2574.
[5] Dan Lü, Jianxin Li, Xuehai Zhang, Ran Zheng, Aoni Zhang, Jingyun Luo, Bo Tong, Hongbing Luo, Jianbing Yan, Min Deng. Genetic analysis of maize crude fat content by multi-locus genome-wide association study[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(7): 2475-2491.
[6] Wei Yan, Jinze Zhang, Yingfen Jiang, Kunjiang Yu, Qian Wang, Xu Yang, Lijing Xiao, Entang Tian. Construction of a high-density genetic map to explore the genetic regulation of erucic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid contents in Brassica juncea[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(6): 2171-2189.
[7] Lihua Xie, Lingling Li, Junhong Xie, Jinbin Wang, Zechariah Effah, Setor Kwami Fudjoe, Muhammad Zahid Mumtaz. A suitable organic fertilizer substitution ratio stabilizes rainfed maize yields and reduces gaseous nitrogen loss in the Loess Plateau, China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(6): 2138-2154.
[8] Chunxiang Li, Yongfeng Song, Yong Zhu, Mengna Cao, Xiao Han, Jinsheng Fan, Zhichao Lü, Yan Xu, Yu Zhou, Xing Zeng, Lin Zhang, Ling Dong, Dequan Sun, Zhenhua Wang, Hong Di. GWAS analysis reveals candidate genes associated with density tolerance (ear leaf structure) in maize (Zea mays L.)[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(6): 2046-2062.
[9] Huairen Zhang, Tauseef Taj Kiani, Huabang Chen, Juan Liu, Xunji Chen. Genome wide association analysis reveals multiple QTLs controlling root development in maize [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(5): 1656-1670.
[10] Zhechao Dou, Jing Ma, Kunguang Wang, Qiaofang Lu, Zhiguang Chi, Dongming Cui, Chang Pan, Zhuchi He, Yuanmei Zuo. Use of soil nematodes as indicators of soil and plant health in continuous cropping systems: A case study in dragon fruit[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(5): 1987-2001.
[11] Xiaoxia Guo, Wanmao Liu, Yunshan Yang, Guangzhou Liu, Bo Ming, Ruizhi Xie, Keru Wang, Shaokun Li, Peng Hou. Matching the light and nitrogen distributions in the maize canopy to achieve high yield and high radiation use efficiency[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(4): 1424-1435.
[12] Ying Zhao, Xiaozeng Han, Chen Qiu, Wenxiu Zou, Xinchun Lu, Jun Yan, Xu Chen. The enhancements of pore morphology and size distribution by straw return are mediated by increases in aggregate-associated carbon and nitrogen[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(4): 1562-1576.
[13] Lanjie Zheng, Qianlong Zhang, Huiying Liu, Xiaoqing Wang, Xiangge Zhang, Zhiwei Hu, Shi Li, Li Ji, Manchun Ji, Yong Gu, Jiaheng Yang, Yong Shi, Yubi Huang, Xu Zheng. Fine mapping and discovery of MIR172e, a candidate gene required for inflorescence development and lower floret abortion in maize ear[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(4): 1372-1389.
[14] Yang Wang, Chunhua Mu, Xiangdong Li, Canxing Duan, Jianjun Wang, Xin Lu, Wangshu Li, Zhennan Xu, Shufeng Sun, Ao Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhou, Shenghui Wen, Zhuanfang Hao, Jienan Han, Jianzhou Qu, Wanli Du, Fenghai Li, Jianfeng Weng. A genome-wide association study and transcriptome analysis reveal the genetic basis for the Southern corn rust resistance in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(2): 453-466.
[15] Hong Ren, Zheng Liu, Xinbing Wang, Wenbin Zhou, Baoyuan Zhou, Ming Zhao, Congfeng Li. Long-term excessive nitrogen application decreases spring maize nitrogen use efficiency via suppressing root physiological characteristics[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(11): 4195-4210.
No Suggested Reading articles found!