Spring barley shows dynamic compensatory root and shoot growth responses when exposed to localised soil compaction and fertilisation

The impact of heterogeneous soil compaction in combination with nutrient availability on root system architecture and root growth dynamics has scarcely been investigated. We quantified changes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) root and shoot growth during the first 3 weeks of growth in a controlled-environment chamber. Vertically divided split-root rhizotrons were filled either uniformly with loose or compacted peat, or heterogeneously with loose peat in one compartment and compacted peat in the other. We investigated the following questions. (a) Can growth processes affected by soil compaction be mimicked in our system? (b) Do plants show compensatory growth effects when exposed to heterogeneous soil compaction? (c) Does localised fertiliser application affect root systems' responses to compaction? We observed compensatory effects regarding root system architecture and root growth dynamics due to vertically heterogeneous soil compaction. Roots grew deeper and lateral roots emerged earlier in the loose compartment of the split-root treatment compared with uniform treatments. When fertiliser was applied only via the compacted compartment in the split-root treatment, more lateral roots were initiated in the compacted compartment and lateral root formation started a few days earlier than in the uniform treatments. Consequently, the first days after exposure to heterogeneous soil conditions are critical for the analysis of underlying physiological responses.