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USDA-ARS, Northern Great Plains Research Lab., P.O. Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554
retired, USDA-ARS
USDA-ARS
*Corresponding author (merrills{at}ars.usda.gov).
ABSTRACT
In dryland cropping, no-tillage can increase small grain crop growth compared with conventional tillage. Because root systems develop ahead of aboveground growth and are affected by soil environment, observation of root growth will show the mechanisms by which no-till enhances crop growth. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown in a spring wheat-winter wheat-sunflower (Helianthus anuus L.) rotation begun in 1984 on Temvik-Wilton silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed Typic and Pachic Haploborolls) under conventional till (CT: spring disking), minimal till (MT: spring undercutting) and no-till (NT). Root length growth (RLG) was measured by microvideo camera in pressurized-wall minirhizotrons, and soil water was measured by neutron moisture meter. Relative to CT, NT generally enhanced RLG more than aboveground growth; RLG averaged 65, 130, and 145 km/cm2 in 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively. In 1988, RLG was 37% greater than MT (P < 0.1), with CT intermediate. In 1989, RLG was 40% greater in NT than in CT, with MT intermediate, and RLG in 1990 was 112% greater in NT than CT (no MT). Final biomass averaged 380, 1730, and 3090 kg/ha in 1988 through 1990, and was 36% greater, not significantly different, and 44% greater in NT than CT, respectively. Root penetration was shallow (1.1 m or less) in dry subsoil, but in each year roots penetrated to greater soil depths under NT than under MT or CT. Amounts of stored soil water were generally not significantly different among tillages, but more water was depleted in 1990 under NT than CT. Cooler soil under NT (measured in 1989) and superior soil water conservation in the near-surface zone appear to confer a root growth advantage to the NT treatment.
Received for publication October 24, 1994.
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