Aspects of the phosphorus nutrition of white clover populations. IV root growth and morphology

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Abstract
Most studies using split root or single isolated roots have demonstrated that root systems proliferate in regions of high nutrient supply, though it is not clear whether tne whole root system responds by producing more roots or by greater elongation of existing roots. The effect of pretreatment and subsequent treatment at high and low phosphorus (P) supply on the rate of production and rate of elongation of roots was determined for 10 white clover populations, grown in nutrient solution. External P supply was shown to have a greater effect on root elongation rate than on root production rate. Populations with many small roots (i.e. a low root weight/number ratio) were generally the most responsive to P, measured by shoot weight. Populations collected from low‐P soils had lower root elongation rates, shorter average root lengths and their root production rates were more responsive to P than populations from high‐P soils.