Abstract

The use of the perennial grain intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium(Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) may have the potential to sustain soil health and fertility through the development of an extensive root system. However, references are scarce to demonstrate its potential influence in a context of a limited perennial grain growth phase, integrated into annual grain crops succession. This study aims at determining how early a perennial crop rooting system differs from that of an annual crop through root development and root traits and microbial indicators. Our results indicate that the two-year-old intermediate wheatgrass promotes a denser and deeper rooting system with proportionally more root biomass and length deeper in the soil profile. From the first growing season, the perennial grain demonstrated a suite of root traits typical of a more resource-conservative strategy, and more belowground-oriented resource allocation. Soil fungal biomass indicators were enhanced. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) indicators were notably found to be improved at 1 m depth during the second growing season. This study provides evidence that grain-based agriculture can benefit from the potential of deeper and long-lived root systems of intermediate wheatgrass to manage soils. The periodic use of a short-term perennial phase in the crop rotation has the potential to improve soil functioning in the long term.

Keywords

perennial grains; rooting system; root traits; soil microbial indicators; soil quality; arbuscular mycorrhiza; crops rotation

Published in

Agronomy
2020, Volume: 10, number: 9, article number: 1254
Publisher: MDPI

SLU Authors

• Barreiro, Ana

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Dimitrova Mårtensson, Linda-Maria

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Future Agriculture (until Jan 2017)
SLU Plant Protection Network


Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091254

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/108674