Summary
This long-term field trial quantified how fertilisation intensity influences root biomass accumulation, vertical distribution in the soil profile, and root size class composition in maize and wheat. The findings, as suggested by the trial design, contribute to understanding how nutrient management practices alter below-ground crop architecture and may inform recommendations for optimising fertiliser use in cereal production systems.
UK applicability
Results from Swiss long-term trials on maize and wheat root responses are broadly relevant to UK temperate cereal production, particularly regarding nitrogen management and soil resource utilisation. Direct applicability may depend on matching soil type, climate, and agronomic context to UK growing conditions.
Key measures
Root biomass (dry weight), vertical distribution of roots by soil depth, root size classes, fertilisation intensity treatments
Outcomes reported
The study examined how fertilisation intensity affects root biomass, vertical distribution, and size class composition in maize and wheat across two long-term field trials. Root morphological responses to different nitrogen and nutrient management regimes were quantified.
Topic tags
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