Root growth and root system architecture of field-grown maize in response to high planting density

Aims This paper aims to investigate the adaptation of maize root system architecture (RSA) in response to increasing planting densities. Methods A three-year field study was conducted with three planting densities (40,000, 70,000, and 90,000 plants per ha, which are abbreviated as D40000, D70000 and D90000, respectively). The dynamic change of root morphological traits and the 3-dimensional RSA were quantified. Results The grain yield per ha increased with increasing plant density from D40000 to D70000, and then decreased at D90000. Compared to D70000, high planting density of D90000 did not changed the total root biomass per ha but increased shoot biomass per ha by 4 to 8% in two of the three experimental years. Grain yield per plant and plant NPK concentration decreased with increasing planting density. Total accumulation of P and K per ha also decreased at D90000 compared to D70000. Root to shoot ratio was reduced at high planting density beginning 50 days after emergence. Compared to the control (D70000), total root length (TRL) per plant was reduced by 18 to 30% at D90000 and increased by 43 to 56% at D40000, root biomass per plant was reduced by 23 to 34% at D90000 and increased by 66 to 75% at D40000. High plant density reduced the number of nodal roots, lateral root density (LRD) and the average lateral root (LR) length, but with less effect on the length of axial roots. The RSA is characteristic of “intra-row contraction and inter-row extension”. Vertically, root growth in top soil layer (0- to 36- cm) was enhanced under supra-optimal plant density, but had a negligible effect in deep soil layers (36- to 60- cm). Conclusions To adapt to the limited photosynthesis capacity in the roots under high planting density, maize plants tend to reduce nodal root number and inhibit lateral root growth. They maintain nodal root length to explore a larger soil space, and adjust root growth in the intra-row and inter-row direction to avoid root-to-root competition.