Maize Root System Architecture For Effective Uptake of Phosphorus: Recent Findings

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most deficient and readily available element in the soil. Lower ability of roots to uptake P from soil with a low P content is the main obstacle to increase its utilization. The architecture of the root system depends on the distribution of phosphorus in soil profile in relation to tillage systems, rhizosphere pH, water content in the soil, as well as the type and time of application of mineral fertilizers. The differences of species (or genotype) in the root system design and their adsorption ability, size of root hairs etc., are responsible for the difference in uptake and movement of P in the soil. For maize, the differences between certain genotypes occur in the length of the primary root, root branching corner, the number and length of lateral roots and root hair elongation which gives the possibility of selecting the root to obtain hybrids with increased effect on phosphorus absorption as well as on other nutrients and water.

Fosfor (P) je često jedan od deficitarnijih i nepristupačnijih elemenata u zemljištu. Slabija sposobnost korena da usvaja P iz zemljišta sa niskom koncentracijom ovog elementa je glavna prepreka za povećanje njegove iskorišćenosti. Arhitektura korenovog sistema zavisi od distribucije hraniva po profilu zemljišta, što je uslovljeno vrstom obrade tla, pH vrednošću rizosfere, sadržajem vode u zemljištu, kao i načinom i vremenom primene mineralnih đubriva. Razlike u korenovom sistemu pojedinih vrsta (ili genotipova), njihova sposobnost usvajanja, veličina i raspored korenskih dlačica i dr. odgovorni su za različitost usvajanja P u tlu. Kod kukuruza, razlike između pojedinih genotipova javljaju se u dužini primarnog korena, uglu grananja, broju i dužini lateralnih korenova, kao i izduživanju korenskih dlačica što pruža mogućnost za stvaranje hibrida sa poboljšanim korenovim sistemom za efikasnije usvajanje vode i mineralnih materija.