Studies on the effect of season, radial distance and depth on root distribution in guava cv. Allahabad Safeda

Abstract

Root distribution studies were carried out on 16-year-old trees of guava cultivar Allahabad Safeda in three factor randomized block design with two seasons (spring and autumn), three radial distances (0-60, 60-120, 120-180 cm) and three depths (0-20, 20-40, 40-60 cm). The spring season gave significantly higher dry weight of fibrous and thin roots than autumn season while autumn season gave significantly higher dry weight of thick roots. Most of the feeder roots were present at 0-60 cm radial distance and 0-20 cm depth. Therefore, fertilizers and irrigation water may be applied in this zone irrespective of seasons for better utilization of these inputs by the tree roots. The interactions between seasons, radial distances and soil depths in all types of roots were found to be significant.