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Root architecture of Atlas pistachio in relation to underlying soil properties under arid conditions

In the harsh arid and semi-arid regions of Africa only perennial plants survive during the dry period and the development of a well-adapted root system is vital. In regions affected by global warming, these extreme xerophytes show particular value as 'plants for the future'. Pistacia atlan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of agricultural research 2014-02, Vol.9 (6), p.620-626
Main Authors: Abdelkrim, Limane, Smail-Saadoun, Noria, Gradziel, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:In the harsh arid and semi-arid regions of Africa only perennial plants survive during the dry period and the development of a well-adapted root system is vital. In regions affected by global warming, these extreme xerophytes show particular value as 'plants for the future'. Pistacia atlantica Desf. subspecies atlantica (Atlas pistachio) is the only spontaneous tree species of the North-African steppe. Because individual trees can achieve great size and age, it is locally considered as fossil tree. With the objective of determining the root architectures that optimize the survival in arid soils, root systems of seven Atlas pistachios were excavated and the number of superficial roots, deep roots and branch roots were determined and underlying soil for each tree was analyzed.
ISSN:1991-637X