Bamboo hedgerow systems in Kerala, India : Root distribution and competition with trees for phosphorus

• Published in: Agroforestry systems 2001-01, Vol.51 (3), p.189-200
• Main Authors: DIVAKARA, B. N, MOHAN KUMAR, B, BALACHANDRAN, P. V, KAMALAM, N. V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and farming systems; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Competition; Crop planting; Excavation; Field study; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Nutrients; Root distribution; Roots; Soil profiles; Subsoils
• ISSN: 0167-4366; 1572-9680
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1010730314507

In a field study on bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd.) hedgerow systems of Kerala, we tested the following three hypotheses: (1) Effective root foraging space is a function of crown spread, (2) Proximity of trees depress lateral spread of roots in mixed species systems and (3) The closer the trees are located the greater will be the subsoil root activity which in turn facilitates active absorption of nutrients from deeper layers of the soil profile. Root distribution of boundary planted bamboo and root competition with associated trees in two binary mixtures, teak (Tectona grandis)-bamboo and Malabar white pine (Vateria indica)-bamboo, were evaluated using modified logarithmic spiral trenching and ^sup 32^P soil injection techniques respectively. Excavation studies indicate that rooting intensity declined linearly with increasing lateral distance. Larger clumps manifested wider foraging zones. Eighty three per cent of the large clumps (>4.0 m dia.) extended roots beyond 8 m while only 33% of the small (