Investigating the Competition for Water and the Depth of Water Extraction in Multispecies Grasslands Using 18O Natural Abundance

摘要: Depending on root depth and the vertical distribution of water, soil contributes to satisfy transpiration demand grass crops. Using humidity measurements repeated in time at different depth, water extraction (DWE) a species can be measured pure swards. However, that may irrelevant mixed swards because (i) roots all found horizons (ii) relationship between density, is complex. To date, use natural abundance 18O only way precisely compare DWE plants sharing same ground. The work reported here describes results obtained mixture Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea grown dense sward believed exhibit various abilities exploit resources. Pure stands were also analysed compared crop. showed when profile exhibited monotonous gradient ranking three was possible explained differences plant status observed summer.