Effects of pot size on growth of maize and sorghum plants

Yang, Zongjian, Hammer, Graeme, van Oosterom, Erik, Rochas, Delphine and Deifel, Kurt (2010). Effects of pot size on growth of maize and sorghum plants. In: B. George-Jaeggli and D.J. Jordan, Proceedings of the 1st Australian Summer Grains Conference. 1st Australian Summer Grains Conference 2010, Gold Coast, Australia, (). 21-24 June 2010.

Author Yang, Zongjian
Hammer, Graeme
van Oosterom, Erik
Rochas, Delphine
Deifel, Kurt
Title of paper Effects of pot size on growth of maize and sorghum plants
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name 1st Australian Summer Grains Conference 2010
Conference location Gold Coast, Australia
Conference dates 21-24 June 2010
Proceedings title Proceedings of the 1st Australian Summer Grains Conference
Editor B. George-Jaeggli
D.J. Jordan
Publication date 2010
Total pages 7
Language eng
Abstract/Summary Restricted soil volume in small pots can have limiting effects on overall plant growth and influence plant responses to experimental treatments. This study was conducted to assess the effect of pot size on growth and partitioning of maize and sorghum plants. A better understanding of the pot size effect can improve future experimental design to balance the management cost and experimental requirement. Seeds of the commercial sorghum hybrid Buster and maize hybrid Pioneer 34N43 were germinated and grown in PVC pots with diameters and depths of 15x40, 15x80, 30x40, and 30x80 cm. The size of pots significantly affected plant growth. Less total shoot mass was produced in plants of either species grown in small pots. However, this was mostly associated with reduced mass of tillers. Proportionally more growth was allocated to roots in small pots, so root/shoot ratio was significantly increased in both species. Plants grown in small pots produced more fibrous roots, and the root system was densely matted. As root density increased in the limited soil volume, competition and barriers to diffusion could affect nutrient acquisition and cause nutrient deficiency. Visible signs of nitrogen deficiency were observed in leaves of plants growing in smaller pots. Reduction in nitrogen uptake and assimilation might have contributed to the reduced shoot growth in the smaller pots.
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes "Pot Size" - Papers publicly available via http://www.grdc.com.au/director/events/grdcpublications/agsc/2010ASGC/Edited%20Papers

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collection: Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
 
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Created: Mon, 19 Mar 2012, 09:44:41 EST by Dr Erik Van Oosterom on behalf of Qld Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation