A STUDY OF THE ROOT SYSTEM OF BARLEY

Abstract

S ummary The lengths of branched and unbranched axis, the density of branching, and the change in length of laterals along the axis (called the root profile) were determined on roots of Maris Badger and Proctor barley ( Hordemn vulgare L.) grown in water culture under complete nutrient supply and deficiencies of potassium and phosphorus. The most striking observations were (a) 50–75% reductions in the length of unbranched axis caused by nutrient deficiency, (b) marked curvilinearity in the profile under all nutrient treatments, and (c) high dependency on the form of the profile on variety and nutrition.