Root distribution pattern of two predominant grasses viz. Lasiurus sindicus and Cenchrus ciliaris of arid ecosystem of western Rajasthan in relation to their soil binding capacity.

Abstract

An experiment was carried during 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 on a coarse textured sandy soil to study the root distribution pattern and soil-binding capacity of the 2 grasses viz. sewan grass (Lasiurus sindicus Henr.) and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). The distribution of roots 4 and 16 months after sowing in both the grasses indicated that majority of roots was confined to the top 20-cm soil layer. The total length of roots (33.51, 105.38 m after 4 and 16 months respectively) of C. ciliaris was more than L. sindicus. A strong relationship was found between actual root length and estimated root length from biomass root length ratio from every 10-cm layer (R2 0.90). Although the roots of L. sindicus penetrated to deeper layer than C. ciliaris but its root biomass (6.4 g) and root biomass density (255.8 g/m3) were less than C. ciliaris (13.33g & 533.08 g/m3 , respectively). In C. ciliaris the root volume (30.53 mL) was higher and average root radius (0.31 cm) was lower than that of L. sindicus, which results in higher soil binding capacity of C. ciliaris as compared to L. sindicus.