The root growth strategies of three wheatgrass in early seedlings

Abstract

Research was conducted on crested, slender and northern wheatgrasses, commonly available wheatgrasses for the Canadian prairies, under 6% and 12% of gravimetric water content, to determine the effect of water stress on root growth for seedling growth. The results indicate that Root growth rate varies across early seedling phase for these grasses. Rapid root biomass accumulation occurred in the early phase of seedlings. Reducing water supplement increased biomass allocated to roots earlier for plant growth. Reduced water treatments demonstrated a non-linear changed root biomass growth rate for crested wheatgrasses and northern wheatgrasses.