Valizadeh, G. R.; Rengel, Z.; Rate, A. W.
Abstract:
The capacity of wheat roots to lift water from subsoil with high moisture content into dry topsoil (hydraulic lift) and the subsequent impact on P uptake from dry topsoil are poorly understood. Two experiments were set up to test the capacity of 4 wheat genotypes differing in P efficiency to take up P from the fertiliser banded in dry topsoil (with wet subsoil). The interactions among genotypes, banding depths, and watering regimes (whole-profile or subsoil-only watering) were also characterised. The root system increased soil water content from 64 to 90 g/kg soil around the P fertiliser band by taking up water in the subsoil and releasing it into the dry topsoil during the night. Phosphorus applied as a band at 20 mg P/kg soil in dry topsoil (5