Localized nutrient supply can facilitate root proliferation and increase nitrogen-use efficiency in compacted soil

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Wu, X., Li, H., Rengel, Z., Whalley, W. R., Li, H., Zhang, F., Shen, J. and Jin, K. 2022. Localized nutrient supply can facilitate root proliferation and increase nitrogen-use efficiency in compacted soil. Soil & Tillage Research. 215 (January), p. 105198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105198

AuthorsWu, X., Li, H., Rengel, Z., Whalley, W. R., Li, H., Zhang, F., Shen, J. and Jin, K.
Abstract

Soil compaction constrains root growth and crop yield. Previous studies have shown that localized nutrient
supply can significantly improve maize plant growth in field conditions at the early growth stage. However, this
promoting effect has not been tested in the compacted soil. We describe 2-year field experimentation on a fluvo-
aquic soil in the North China Plain to investigate the effect of localized vs. broadcast ammonium and phosphorus
supply on maize under three soil compaction treatments (NC: non-compacted, C: compacted and SC: severely
compacted) during 2012 and 2013. Results showed that compared with broadcast ammonium and phosphorus
(BNP), localized ammonium and phosphorus supply (LNP) resulted in significantly higher PFPN in the NC (by
31–37%), C (by 43–44%) and SC (by 45%) treatments at harvest. When soil was compacted (C and SC), the
enhancement of nitrogen (N) utilization in the LNP treatment was attributed to the increased root growth,
including greater specific root length (a greater proportion of fine roots), lower root tissue density and deeper
rooting at the seedling stage, especially in the compacted treatment (C). The enhanced root penetration capacity
contributed to the increased N and water uptake from the deep soil layers. Our study highlighted the importance
of nutrient management for mitigating negative impacts of soil compaction on crops, and will underpin new soil
compaction management practices by considering optimal fertilization to strengthen the root-soil interactions.

KeywordsSoil compaction; Localized nutrient supply; Specific root length; Rooting depth; Nitrogen-use efficiency; Phizosphere management
Year of Publication2022
JournalSoil & Tillage Research
Journal citation215 (January), p. 105198
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105198
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeChina: A Virtual Centre for Monitoring the Rhizosphere
Designing Future Wheat (DFW) [ISPG]
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online04 Oct 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted02 Sep 2021
ISSN0167-1987
PublisherElsevier Science Bv

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