Response of root morphology and distribution in maize to alternate furrow irrigation

After measuring root morphological indices, such as the length, diameter, volume density, surface area and tip number of both living and dead roots on the ridge and slope under alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI, control treatment) using Minirhizotrons, the responses of root morphology and distribution in maize to AFI were analyzed. Results show that root morphological indices of living or dead roots were lower on the ridge than on the slope under AFI, whereas root morphological indices of living or dead roots were higher on the ridge than on the slope under CFI. Compared to CFI, AFI significantly increased root tip number and surface area of fine roots (with the diameter of <=2.5 x 10-1 mm) and promoted roots to deeper soil on the slope, and then simulated root water uptake. AFI only decreased the grain yield by 0.9%, but increased water use efficiency on seed yield by 8.3%. Thus AFI promoted root growth and metabolism on the slope, increased the effective absorption area of root system and improved water use efficiency without significant reduction of grain yield.