Nature and Rate of Development of Root System of Centaurea picris

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Abstract
Periodic excavations during 72 weeks after seedling emergence of field-grown plants not subjected to competition in a typical upland soil in eastern Kansas disclosed that the root system consisted of the original tap root (primary vertical) and one to many permanent lateral roots (first order) which eventually grew downward to become secondary vertical roots. Unless injury or too severe competition prevented, many additional permanent laterals and secondary verticals of the 2d and higher orders arose, giving rise to a horizontal spread of 61/2 ft. in one growing season and 11-12 ft. in 2 seasons. By the end of the 2d season some vertical roots were 101/2 ft. deep. The shoot development of older plants was wholly from root-borne buds, which were most numerous at the bend between the lateral root of any order and its vertical phase. The type of development is similar to that of field bindweed and hoary cress. The rate of development is approx. that of hoary cress but less than that of field bindweed, particularly after the first 3 months of growth.

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