Root growth of maize in an Italian ryegrass living mulch studied with a non-destructive method

The use of living mulch (LM) systems for maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation may reduce soil erosion and nitrate leaching. However, the yield of maize cultivated in LM is lower than in conventional farming systems. This decrease has often been attributed to belowground competition, but the lack of a suitable method to demonstrate such competition has prevented further investigation. A recently developed method allows for the direct and non-destructive observation of root growth in LM. Maize expressing a green fluorescence protein was grown in monoculture or together with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Root growth was screened in minirhizotrons from the time of sowing to the anthesis of the maize.Compared with the maize cultivated without Italian ryegrass, the cultivation in the LM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the shoot dry matter (56%), leaf area (39%) and mean root density (41%) of the maize at anthesis. An analysis of variance showed that the reduction due to the living Italian ryegrass in the root density of the maize was not significantly different from the reduction in leaf area. Similarly, the reduction in the root density and shoot dry matter of the maize were not significantly different. The roots of the LM maize grew in the soil where the LM was removed but also where the LM continued growing. This study constitutes the first direct quantification of root growth and distribution in a LM system.

► Maize was cultivated in a living mulch system of Italian ryegrass.
► Root growth of maize was identified and screened in minirhizotron system.
► Leaf area and mean root density of maize were significantly affected.
► Roots of maize did not preferentially grow in the soil where a strip of grass was removed.