Identification of feeder root zones for optimal nutrient and water uptake in subtropical fruit crops

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to pinpoints the location specific root system in two depths from soil surface and five horizontal distances from the tree trunk. The horizontal distance was marked in H₁ (0-30 cm), H₂ (31-60 cm), H₃ (61-90 cm), H₄ (91-120 cm) and H₅ (121-150 cm), at two depths, D1 (0-30 cm) and D2 (31-60 cm). The soil of 30 cubic cm was removed with the help of a sharp spade and sieved with large mesh size to extract fine roots. The soil was soaked in water and sieved and roots were studied.The maximum root number in guava and aonla were recorded at 31-60 cm horizontal distance (HD) and 31-60 cm soil depth from soil surface, while in jamun it was maximum at 31-60 HD and 0-30 cm depth of SS from main trunk. Total root biomass represented the rooting density per unit area, maximum root mass (38.2 ± 5.74 g) in guava was recorded in 0-30 cm deep from soil surface and horizontal distance.  Jamun and aonla under HDP system had maximum root biomass 31-60 cm deep from SS and 0-30 cm horizontal distance (HD) from tree trunk. The roots in length in all crops were maximum at 0-30 horizontal distance and soil depth except guava where maximum root length was noted at 31-60 cm soil depth. Guava, aonla, bael and jamun planted under high density planting system have maximum root number which absorb water and nutrient and supporting their treesat 0-60 cm horizontal distance and depth of 0-60 cm.Fresh root mass recorded at 31-60 cm horizontal distance from the tree trunk up to 60 cm deep from soil surface.