Root growth in Jatropha and its implications for drought adaptation

Krishnamurthy, L and Zaman-Allah, M and Marimuthu, S and Wani, S P and Rao, A V R K (2012) Root growth in Jatropha and its implications for drought adaptation. Biomass & Bioenergy.

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Abstract

The relative drought tolerance of Jatropha curcas is, so far, not very well understood. To understand its physiological adaptation to drought-stress, the root growth viz; root length density (RLD), root dry weight (RDW), biomass accumulation and resources allocation for roots of adult trees grown in the field were assessed. The tap root in Jatropha branches perpendicular to the ground with many lateral roots. The rooting depth was 1.4 m with a greater root length distribution at the surface soil. It depicted a low root to plant ratio when the tap root was not included. The root branching in Jatropha suggested that it may help containing soil erosion although its contribution to drought tolerance is seemingly conservative. The drought response of Jatropha can be categorized as drought avoidance, considering its regular dormant state, drought-stress induced leaf drop and a limited root growth.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Drought avoidance; Monolith method; Root length density; Root anatomy; Root to total plant ratio; Trench wall method;
Subjects:	Others > Jatropha
Depositing User:	Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	16 Feb 2012 03:29
Last Modified:	31 Jan 2018 04:28
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5499
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.01.015
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Author

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