title: Direct field method for root biomass quantification in agroecosystems.
abstract: The present article describes a field auger sampling method for row-crop root measurements. In agroecosystems where crops are planted in a specific design (row crops), sampling procedures for root biomass quantification need to consider the spatial variability of the root system. This article explains in detail how to sample and calculate root biomass considering the sampling position in the field and the differential weight of the root biomass in the inter-row compared to the crop row when expressing data per area unit. This method is highly reproducible in the field and requires no expensive equipment and/or special skills. It proposes to use a narrow auger thus reducing field labor with less destructive sampling, and decreases laboratory time because samples are smaller. The small sample size also facilitates the washing and root separation with tweezers. This method is suitable for either winter- or summer crop roots. •Description of a direct field method for row-crop root measurements.•Description of data calculation for total root-biomass estimation per unit area.•The proposed method is simple, less labor- and less time consuming.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ileana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Frasier
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Agronomía Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Noellemeyer
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina.
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quiroga
keywords: Direct field method for root biomass quantification in agroecosystems; root mass per area; root washing; row crops; soil auger