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Monitoring Russian Thistle (Salsola iberica) Root Growth Using a Scanner-Based, Portable Mesorhizotron

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

William L. Pan,
Frank L. Young and
Ronald P. Bolton
William L. Pan
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420
Frank L. Young*
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420
Ronald P. Bolton
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: youngfl@wsu.edu.
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Abstract

A mesorhizotron and scanning system was modified to study the development of Russian thistle root systems during the 1996 and 1997 growing seasons at Lind, WA. Our imaging equipment combined the full profile images afforded by conventional rhizotrons with the portability of cylinder-based minirhizotron systems at a fraction of the cost of either system. Root development of Russian thistle in early spring was rapid and extensive compared with shoot growth. In 1996, 30 d after planting (DAP) Russian thistle roots were at least five times as long as the corresponding plant's shoots. During the next 20 d, shoots grew a maximum of 20 cm, whereas roots grew a maximum of 120-cm deep. Maximum root elongation rate reached 2 to 3 mm/cm2/d at the 70- to 120-cm depths 30 to 50 DAP in 1996 and 55 to 70 DAP in 1997. More than one (multiaxial grouping) Russian thistle root was often observed growing through the same soil channels. After the rapid early season growth, roots began to shrink or die back until shoots were clipped to simulate wheat harvest. Within 7 d after harvest, roots regenerated in old root channels. Our mesorhizotron system is a promising inexpensive tool for monitoring root morphological development of Russian thistle under field conditions.

Keywords

Russian thistle, Salsola iberica Sennen and Pau # SASKRwheat, Triticum aestivum L.Root development in situDAP, days after plantingRER, root elongation rates

Information

Type
Research
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , December 2001, pp. 762 - 766
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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