Root-growth characteristics contributing to genotypic variation in nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape

A 3-year field experiment was carried out to determine the significance of root-growth characteristics contributing to N-uptake efficiency of two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in N efficiency. Two N treatments were applied, and the core and minirhizotron techniques were used to study root-length density and number of living roots, respectively. Fertilizer-N supply increased shoot dry matter, grain yield, total N uptake, and total soil Nmin contents particularly in the top soil. Although significant differences occurred in all parameters between years, the interactions between years and cultivars were mostly not significant. Compared to cv. Capitol, the N-efficient cv. Apex was characterized by a higher grain yield at N0 and a higher N uptake during reproductive growth. This genotype also had a higher root-length density and more living fine roots particularly in the topsoil layer. Root growth of this genotype was especially high from beginning of shooting to beginning of flowering, while shoot growth and N uptake during vegetative growth were comparatively low. Our results suggest that N-efficient cultivars can be characterized by a high investment in root growth during the vegetative stage with a comparatively slow shoot growth and N-uptake rate until beginning of flowering, which, however, continues during reproductive growth. High root production only during reproductive growth seems to be less effective to achieve high N efficiency, because this may lead to a shortage of assimilates for seed filling. High root-length density at vegetative stages may thus be advantageous for N uptake and reproductive growth and could be a useful morphological character for the selection and breeding of N-efficient cultivars.