Effects of root pruning on the growth and water use efficiency of winter wheat

摘要: A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of root pruning at stem elongation stage on growth and water use efficiency (WUE) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). The results showed that stomatal conductance (g) transpiration (E) were very sensitive pruning. After pruning, they declined rapidly but returned pre-pruning values 15 days after treatment. Under well-watered conditions, there no significant difference in leaf potential (ψleaf) between pruned control plants moderate drought stress, ψleaf significantly compared 3 days, similar controls. different soil moisture levels, net assimilation rate (A) lower than controls 3–7 At anthesis (50 pruning), higher with control. Leaf area per tiller number booting stage, which restrained early growing stem, plants, anthesis. both grain yield monoculture. In mixture less productive had a relative (0.92 0.78, respectively) (1.13 1.19, respectively), suggested lost some its competing ability acquire same resources plant. Over whole cycle, reduced consumption (by 10% under conditions 16% stress) (P < 0.05), plants. Therefore WUE respect conclusion, lowering by is an effective way improve arid semi areas.