New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Phosphate uptake by white clover (Trifolium repens L.) genotypes with contrasting root morphology

J. R. Crush¹

A. R. L. Boulesteix-Coutelier^1,2

L. Ouyang¹

¹AgResearch
Ruakura Research Centre
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand

²ENSAIA
2, avenue de la Forêt de Haye
BP 172
54505 Vandoeuvre lès Nancy, France

Abstract Phosphorus (P) response curves were established for white clover genotypes with either relatively long, fine roots (LFR), or relatively short, thick roots (STR) in a glasshouse experiment. The LFR genotype had smaller average root diameter, greater specific root length (SLR, cm mg^–1 root dry weight), longer roots and more branched roots than the STR genotype. Root dry weight of the genotypes was identical across all P levels. P uptake per unit root mass was higher in the LFR genotype, resulting in greater P acquisition and higher shoot dry weight yields than for the STR genotype. We concluded that development of white clovers with high SRL and frequent root branching could contibute to an improvement in the efficiency of phosphate use in pastoral farming.

Keywords phosphate efficiency; phosphorus; root morphology; Trifolium repens; white clover

A07191; Online publication date 11 August 2008 Received 14 December 2007; accepted 18 June 2008

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2008, Vol. 51: 279–285
0028–8233/08/5103–0279 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

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