Root distribution and its relations with soil chemical attributes and yield of banana under fertigation with and without soil covering

ABSTRACT. This study evaluated the effects of fertigation, banana biomass as a soil covering under drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation system on the root growth and distribution and their relations with chemical soil attributes, soil water availability, and productivity. This work was conducted in a field with banana 2.5 × 2.0 m spacing and irrigated every two days using a drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation system during the first crop cycle. The experiment followed a random block design with six treatments, two irrigation systems, two fertilization methods of fertigation and side-dressing, as well as two cultivation types with and without soil covering. Roots were collected from each plot using soil monoliths and digitalization allowed the determination of root length density, and diameter at several distances from the plant and at different soil depths. Total root length, density, and distribution by diameter were evaluated based on the treatment interactions with respect to the distance from the plant and the soil depth. Our results showed that the combination of the irrigation system, fertilizer application and soil covering influenced root growth and distribution. In addition, we found that the better soil conditions for root growth were in drip or micro-sprinkler systems with fertigation and cultivated biomass covering.

摘要 本研究评估了滴灌与微喷灌系统下，水肥一体化灌溉及香蕉生物质土壤覆盖措施对香蕉根系生长与分布的影响，及其与土壤化学属性、土壤有效含水量和作物产量的关联。本试验于株行距为2.5×2.0 m的香蕉田块开展，首个种植周期内采用滴灌与微喷灌系统每两日进行灌溉。试验采用随机区组设计，共设置6组处理，涵盖2种灌溉系统、2种施肥方式（水肥一体化灌溉与侧施追肥）以及2种栽培模式（有土壤覆盖与无土壤覆盖）。研究人员采用土壤柱样法采集各小区的根系，通过数字化分析测定了距植株不同距离、不同土层深度下的根长密度与根系直径。基于各处理与植株间距、土层深度的交互效应，对总根长、根长密度及按直径分级的根系分布情况进行了评估。结果表明，灌溉系统、施肥方式与土壤覆盖的组合措施对根系生长与分布具有显著调控作用。此外，研究发现采用水肥一体化灌溉配合生物质覆盖的滴灌或微喷灌系统，可构建更适宜根系生长的土壤环境。