Effects of root pruning on competitive ability and water use efficiency in winter wheat

This study was conducted to assess the effect of root system size and vertical distribution on competitive ability and water use efficiency (WUE) by root pruning at the stem elongation stage. The field experiments were carried out from 2004 to 2005 and 2005 to 2006 in the Loess Plateau regions, China. Root pruning succeeded in reducing root dry weight in the upper soil (0–20 cm soil layer), resulting in diminished total root weight in root pruned wheat (p