BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF ROOT SYSTEMS OF PERENNIAL LEGUME GRASSES IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

• Main Author: O. Tkachuk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zhytomyr National Agroecological University 2021-06-01
• Series: Наукові горизонти
• Subjects: plants; roots; underground development; morphology; years of vegetation
• Online Access: https://sciencehorizon.com.ua/en/journals/tom-24-2-2021/biologichni-osoblivosti-poshiryennya-koryenyevikh-sistyem-bobovikh-bagatorichnikh-trav-v-umovakh-zmini-klimatu

The key factor in the choice of perennial legume grasses in the face of climate change is their drought resistance, because the development of roots directly affects this property, as well as determines their fertility. The purpose of the study was to establish what morphological and biological characteristics of grass roots ensure economic characteristics in the context of climate change. Methods of observation, comparison, and field experiment were used. The study found that the roots of alfalfa have the greatest depth in the soil, spread in the horizontal direction, the thickness of the root neck and lateral roots, which ensures plasticity, durability, and productivity of its crops. The roots of white melilot have the greatest depth in the soil, the thickness of the root neck, central root and lateral roots, their spread in the horizontal direction, which affects the drought and frost resistance of crops. The roots of birdsfoot trefoil are distinguished by the greatest number of renewal buds on the root neck, the smallest depth, and the thickness of the root neck, which affects productive longevity and the possibility of growth in poor and acidic soils. The roots of eastern galega have the greatest depth of the main plant, distribution in the horizontal direction, the thickness of the central root, which affects productive longevity and high biological plasticity. The roots of Hungarian sainfoin are distinguished by the greatest distribution in the horizontal direction and the deepest placement of the main branching, which affects high biological resistance to adverse growing conditions. It was also found out that the roots of meadow clover have the smallest spread radius in the horizontal plane, the thickness of the central and lateral roots, which determines the possibility of its cultivation in the field crop rotation. These findings would facilitate the selection of perennial legume grasses to achieve their full potential in the face of climate change.