Phosphate uptake by white clover ( Trifolium repens L .) genotypes with contrasting nodal root morphology

摘要

Phosphate (P) fertiliser is a major cost in New Zealand farm budgets.Movement of P to the root surface is the rate limiting step in P acquisition by plants.Plants with finely divided roots that colonise a large volume of soil are more efficient in obtaining P than plants with coarse, unbranched roots ( Hill et al.,2006).In this study we analysed P uptake and the growth response of two white clover genotypes, previously selected for either relatively long fine roots (LFR),or relatively short thick roots (STR).