{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.1007/s11104-007-9375-5", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:14:45Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2007-09-06", "title": "Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Root Distribution In Developing Stands Of Four Woody Crop Species Grown With Drip Irrigation And Fertilization", "description": "In forest trees, roots mediate such significant carbon fluxes as primary production and soil CO2 efflux. Despite the central role of roots in these critical processes, information on root distribution during stand establishment is limited, yet must be described to accurately predict how various forest types, which are growing with a range of resource limitations, might respond to environmental change. This study reports root length density and biomass development in young stands of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoidies Bartr.) and American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) that have narrow, high resource site requirements, and compares them with sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), which have more robust site requirements. Fine roots ( 5 mm) were sampled to determine spatial distribution in response to fertilizer and irrigation treatments delivered through drip irrigation tubes. Root length density and biomass were predominately controlled by stand development, depth and proximity to drip tubes. After accounting for this spatial and temporal variation, there was a significant increase in RLD with fertilization and irrigation for all genotypes. The response to fertilization was greater than that of irrigation. Both fine and coarse roots responded positively to resources delivered through the drip tube, indicating a whole-root-system response to resource enrichment and not just a feeder root response. The plastic response to drip tube water and nutrient enrichment demonstrate the capability of root systems to respond to supply heterogeneity by increasing acquisition surface. Fine-root biomass, root density and specific root length were greater for broadleaved species than pine. Roots of all genotypes explored the rooting volume within 2 years, but this occurred faster and to higher root length densities in broadleaved species, indicating they had greater initial opportunity for resource acquisition than pine. Sweetgum\u2019s root characteristics and its response to resource availability were similar to the other broadleaved species, despite its functional resemblance to pine regarding robust site requirements. It was concluded that genotypes, irrigation and fertilization significantly influenced tree root system development, which varied spatially in response to resource-supply heterogeneity created by drip tubes. Knowledge of spatial and temporal patterns of root distribution in these stands will be used to interpret nutrient acquisition and soil respiration measurements.", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "Crops", "Distribution", "Forests", "Functional Groups", "01 natural sciences", "Cottonwoods", "Biomass", "Trees Functional Groups", "Fertilizers", "Functionals", "Irrigation", "Respiration", "Sycamores", "Nutrients", "Root Length Density Soil Heterogeneity", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Vertical Root Distribution", "Carbon", "60 Applied Life Sciences", "Spatial Distribution", "Fertilization", "Soils", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Stand Development", "Pines", "Plastics", "Woody Crops"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Coleman, Mark", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9375-5"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11104-007-9375-5", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11104-007-9375-5", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11104-007-9375-5"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2007-09-07T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107669", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:15:21Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2022-04-29", "title": "Plant water deficit index-based irrigation under conditions of salinity", "description": "Project Co-ordinators: Dr. Jose Alfonso G\u00f3mez Calero (Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible (IAS-CISC), Dr. Weifeng Xu (Fujian Agriculture and Forest University, FAFU).-- Trabajo desarrollado bajo la financiaci\u00f3n del proyecto \u201cSoil Hydrology research platform underpinning innovation to manage water scarcity in European and Chinese cropping Systems\u201d (773903), coordinado por Jos\u00e9 Alfonso G\u00f3mez Calero, investigador del Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible (IAS). In arid and semi-arid regions, water scarcity and soil salinization are major factors impacting sustainable agricultural production. In this study, a macroscopic root-water-uptake model was used to adapt a plant water deficit index (PWDI) for irrigation scheduling under conditions of coexisting soil water and salinity stress-causing factors. The traditional approach, estimating PWDI with average root zone soil water and salt amounts, was improved by weighting the effects of soil water and salinity according to the normalized root length density profile. An experiment growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in soil columns and an experiment growing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in a salinized field were implemented to explore and quantify the effects of soil water and salinity conditions on plant water status, and thus to validate the improvement and evaluate its application, by monitoring soil water and salinity dynamics and plant growth indexes (e.g., leaf area, dry weight, leaf water potential, transpiration and yield). The results indicate that, even under conditions with equal root zone averages of soil matric and osmotic potentials, plant water status might be significantly different. In general, plants were less stressed when more water and less salinity were allocated in the upper root zone with more roots while less water and more salinity occurred in the lower root zone with less roots. By referring to some information in the soil column experiment, a numerical experiment was conducted to further demonstrate the improvement. The root-weighted approach resulted in improved PWDI estimation and thus was more reliable for irrigation scheduling, leading to higher irrigation frequency and quantity, leaf area index, biomass, yield, and transpiration, without significant decrease in water productivity. However, further improvement could be possible by considering the effects of historical soil water and salinity stresses as well as meteorological conditions on plant water status. This research was supported partly by National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1706211, 51790532), Major Scientific and Technological Program of Xinjiang in China (2020A01002\u20133), and the European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Project SHui (773903). Peer reviewed", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Soil salinity", "Plant water deficiency", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "Irrigation scheduling", "Data driven irrigation management", "6. Clean water", "Soil water", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Root distribution"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Liu, Lining, Wang, Tianshu, Wang, Lichun, Wu, Xun, Zuo, Qiang, Shi, Jianchu, Sheng, Jiandong, Jiang, Pingan, Chen, Quanjia, Ben-Gal, Alon,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107669"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agricultural%20Water%20Management", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107669", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107669", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107669"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-07-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.fcr.2017.04.016", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:15:55Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2017-05-05", "title": "Is Maize-Cowpea Intercropping A Viable Option For Smallholder Farms In The Risky Environments Of Semi-Arid Southern Africa?", "description": "Intercropping cereals with legumes can potentially enhance productivity and soil fertility. There is limited experimental evidence on the mechanisms underlying benefits or risks in intercropping systems and below-ground interactions in intercrops remain largely unstudied. Such understanding can inform strategies towards maximising returns to investments, particularly in poor fertility soils on smallholder farms in semi-arid areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Additive intercropping experiments were established covering several seasons (2010/11\u20132014/15) and different conditions (on-station and on-farm) to determine effects on soil chemical variables, root dynamics and yield of intercrops. Maize was planted with the first effective rains and received either no fertiliser or 40 kg N ha\u22121. Cowpea was planted on the same date as maize or three weeks after planting maize in intercrops or sole stands and received no fertiliser. End-of-season available N was highest (P 1. Intercropping, however, resulted in compromised cowpea yields especially under the relay intercrop compared with the sole cowpea stands whilst maize yield was either not affected or improved. We attributed this to the lack of below-ground niche differentiation in root distribution between maize and cowpea. Maize\u2013cowpea intercropping with low doses of N fertiliser resulted in over-yielding compared with monocropping. Intercropping proved to be a robust option across seasons and soil types, confirming that it is a promising option for resource-poor smallholders.", "keywords": ["Zimbabwe", "Interspecific facilitation", "Root length density", "2. Zero hunger", "570", "Cereals", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "630", "Land-use efficiency", "Maize", "Soil", "Niche differentiation", "Intercropping", "Drylands Agriculture", "African Agriculture", "Legume Crops", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Crop Yield", "Root distribution", "Southern Africa", "Below-ground complementarity"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2017.04.016"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Field%20Crops%20Research", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.fcr.2017.04.016", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.fcr.2017.04.016", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.fcr.2017.04.016"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2017-08-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117299", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:16:13Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-04-19", "title": "Synchrotron-based 3D X-ray computed tomography reveals root system architecture: Plastic responses to phosphorus placement", "description": "We used synchrotron-based X-ray computed tomography (SRXCT) to visualize root distribution in soil cores. X-ray CT is emerging as a leading technique to study plant roots, but SRXCT offers potential advantages compared with conventional X-ray sources, including producing X-rays of higher intensity that are collimated, monochromatic and tuneable; delivering high-resolution data whilst avoiding issues such as beam-hardening and source divergence. We demonstrate the suitability of SRXCT for observing the root system of wheat plants growing in two soils (Calcisol and Ultisol) in response to placement of different phosphorus fertilisers. To optimize scanning quality, we tested the use of an inverse \u2018mask\u2019 in front of the soil cores to achieve a more uniform attenuation along the sample, thereby avoiding saturation of the detector along the thinnest parts of the soil cores. Secondly, we developed a deep learning approach for segmentation and quantification of root length and diameter. Our results demonstrate the use of SRXCT as a tool for studying root system architecture in soil at high spatial resolution. The SRXCT method marks a new stride towards advancing our understanding of root structures in unprecedented detail, opening further avenues for exploring plant-soil interactions.", "keywords": ["X-ray computed tomography", "Image segmentation", "Plant roots", "Root system architecture", "Soil phosphorus", "Science", "Q", "Root distribution", "Synchrotron"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117299"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Geoderma", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117299", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117299", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117299"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-05-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1051/forest:2004062", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:17:47Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2004-12-08", "title": "Fine Root Distribution, Seasonal Pattern And Production In Four Plantations Compared With A Natural Forest In Subtropical China", "description": "Open AccessR\u00e9partition et production de radicelles et \u00e9volutions saisonni\u00e8res dans quatre plantations en comparaison avec une for\u00eat naturelle, en Chine tropicale. La r\u00e9partition, l'\u00e9volution selon les saisons et la production nette de radicelles (< 2 mm en diam\u00e8tre) ont \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9tudi\u00e9es de 1999 \u00e0 2001 dans deux plantations \u00e2g\u00e9es de 33 ans de deux conif\u00e8res, le sapin de Chine (Cunninghamia lancolata, CF) et Fokienia hodginsii (FH) ainsi que dans deux plantations de feuillus, Ormosia xylocarpa (OX) et Castanopsis kawakamii (CK). Celles-ci ont \u00e9t\u00e9 compar\u00e9es \u00e0 une for\u00eat naturelle voisine de Castanopsis kawakamii (NF, 150 ans) \u00e0 Samming, Fujian, Chine. La biomasse et la n\u00e9cromasse de radicelles ont \u00e9t\u00e9 obtenues par carottage dans le sol effectu\u00e9 deux fois par mois. Les carottes de sol ont \u00e9t\u00e9 divis\u00e9es en 10 \u00e9l\u00e9ments selon la profondeur\u00a0: 0 ~ 10, 10 ~ 20, 20 ~ 30, 30 ~ 40, 40 ~ 50, 50 ~ 60, 60 ~ 70, 70 ~ 80, 80 ~ 90, et 90 ~ 100 cm. On a utilis\u00e9 des sacs \u00e0 liti\u00e8re (18 \u00d7 18 cm2, maille de 0,25 mm) pour d\u00e9terminer le taux de d\u00e9composition des radicelles (< 0,5 mm, 0,5-1 mm, 1-2 mm). Les taux de production moyenne annuelle, de mortalit\u00e9, de d\u00e9composition et de turnover des radicelles ont \u00e9t\u00e9 calcul\u00e9s par la m\u00e9thode de '\u00a0compartment flow\u00a0'. La biomasse moyenne de radicelles va de 1,49 Mg/ha dans le CF \u00e0 4,94 Mg/ha pour le NF\u00a0; elle d\u00e9cro\u00eet dans l'ordre suivant\u00a0: NF > CK > FH > OX > CF. On a enregistr\u00e9 des diff\u00e9rences significatives de biomasse et n\u00e9cromasse, selon les saisons dans tous les peuplements (P < 0,05), tandis qu'aucune fluctuation n'a pu \u00eatre mise en \u00e9vidence entre ann\u00e9es (P > 0,05). Pour tous les peuplements, on enregistre un pic de biomasse de radicelles au d\u00e9but du printemps (mars), les valeurs minimum intervenant au cours d'\u00e9t\u00e9s secs ou d'hivers froids. Pour le NF, 59,8 % de la biomasse de radicelles se situe dans la zone superficielle du sol (0-10 cm) o\u00f9 les diff\u00e9rences de biomasse de radicelles entre peuplements sont les plus marqu\u00e9es, les valeurs pour NF \u00e9tant respectivement 2,37 fois, 3,55 fois, 8,12 fois et 17,12 fois plus \u00e9lev\u00e9es que celles de CK, FH, CF, et OX. Les pourcentages de la biomasse d'origine, perdue pendant la premi\u00e8re ann\u00e9e de d\u00e9composition, vont de 43 % \u00e0 56 % pour FH, de 68 \u00e0 80 % pour NF. Les moyennes annuelles de d\u00e9composition, mortalit\u00e9 et production des racines s'\u00e9tagent entre 8,47 Mg ha-1 a-1, 8,63\u00a0Mg\u00a0ha-1\u00a0a-1 et 9,5 Mg ha-1 a-1 dans le NF \u00e0 2,50, 2,49 et 2,51 Mg ha-1 a-1 pour le CF, avec par ordre d\u00e9croissant, NF > CK > FH > OX > CF. Le taux de turnover de racines va de 1,48 a-1 pour FH \u00e0 1,78 a-1 pour NF.", "keywords": ["monoculture plantation
---
radicelle", "0106 biological sciences", "root distribution", "seasonal pattern", "root mortality", "fine root", "01 natural sciences", "root turnover", "for\u00eat naturelle", "turnover racinaire", "mortalit\u00e9 racinaire", "plantation en monoculture", "distribution", "r\u00e9partition des racines", "580", "2. Zero hunger", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "production racinaire", "15. Life on land", "root", "natural forest", "monoculture plantation", "variation saisonni\u00e8re", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "[SDV.SA.SF] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences/Silviculture", " forestry", "root production"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Yang, YS\uff08Dept. of Geography Science, Fujian Normal University\uff09, Chen, GS\uff08Dept. of Geography Science, Fujian Normal University\uff09, Lin, P, Xie, JS\uff08Dept. of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University\uff09, Guo, JF\uff08Dept. of Geography Science, Fujian Normal University\uff09,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2004062"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Annals%20of%20Forest%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1051/forest:2004062", "name": "item", "description": "10.1051/forest:2004062", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1051/forest:2004062"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2004-10-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/ppl.70363", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:18:58Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-07-13", "title": "Belowground Interactions in a Barley Cultivar Mixture: Root Distribution and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Contributions to Uptake of Heterogeneous Phosphorus", "description": "ABSTRACT

Cultivar mixtures have the potential to mitigate abiotic stress and stabilize crop yields, but their belowground dynamics remain poorly understood. We evaluated phosphorus (P) uptake by two contrasting spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (\uffe2\uff80\uff9cAnneli\uffe2\uff80\uff9d and \uffe2\uff80\uff9cFeedway\uffe2\uff80\uff9d), grown either in 50:50 mixture or as pure stand. The cultivars were grown in mesocosms under four P fertilization treatments: low\uffe2\uff80\uff90P, homogeneous high\uffe2\uff80\uff90P (90\uffe2\uff80\uff89mg P/kg), and localized P hotspots (100\uffe2\uff80\uff89mg P) placed either in the topsoil (5\uffe2\uff80\uff89cm) or subsoil (35\uffe2\uff80\uff89cm). To trace P uptake pathways, the hotspots were labeled with 33P and enclosed in mesh bags allowing only mycorrhizal hyphae (25\uffe2\uff80\uff89\uffce\uffbcm) or both roots and hyphae (2\uffe2\uff80\uff89mm) to access the hotspot. After 35\uffe2\uff80\uff89days, we measured aboveground biomass, total P content, 33P specific activity, and root biomass, length, diameter, and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) root colonization. In the mixture, reduced P uptake by \uffe2\uff80\uff9cFeedway\uffe2\uff80\uff9d led to lower overall performance compared to pure stand. Root modifications in the mixture did not enhance biomass or P acquisition, potentially due to decreased AMF colonization. Although different P placements altered P uptake patterns, they did not increase total P uptake. Roots accessed the P hotspots and acquired 33P without notable proliferation in the enriched zones. Our findings underscore the complexity of belowground interactions involving root distribution, competition for P, and AMF, and highlight the need for future research to optimize nutrient acquisition and performance in cultivar mixtures.