Rooting systems of oilseed and pulse crops. II: Vertical distribution patterns across the soil profile (original) (raw)

2011, Field Crops Research

Root distribution patterns in the soil profile are the important determinant of the ability of a crop to acquire water and nutrients for growth. This study was to determine the root distribution patterns of selected oilseeds and pulses that are widely adapted in semiarid northern Great Plains. We hypothesized that root distribution patterns differed between oilseed, pulse, and cereal crops, and that the magnitude of the difference was influenced by water availability. A field experiment was conducted in 2006 and 2007 near Swift Current (50 • 15 N, 107 • 44 W), Saskatchewan, Canada. Three oilseeds [canola (Brassica napus L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.)], three pulses [chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris)]