Can anyone tell me the difference between shoot to root dry weight ratio and root to shoot dry weight ratio? what is the actual meaning of these two traits? what do they describe? which one is more important trait for crop plants if dealing with nutrient elements like N, P or K?
Please share some information/knowledge about these two parameters
None. Both ratios refer to the biomass that is growing above ground versus the underground and vice versa however, for nutrient uptake/fertility related issues the root to shoot dry weight is the ratio you want to employ.
Correctly explained by Dr. Bruno Borsari
Please also have a look at this useful ResearchGate link and PDF attachments.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_significance_of_root-shoot_ratio_in_crops
Dear Dr. Leghari
There is no differences between them.
Supply of NPK can affect the partitioning of dry matter between shoot and root. Shoot to root dry weight ratio decreases when growth is limited by NPK.
Good luck
I am really thankful to Dr. Bruno Borsari, Dr. Arvind Singh and Dr. Afra Roughani for your valuable answers. I got help from your answers and specially the articles and link shared by Dr. Singh.
I agree with Bruno and Arvind. Excellent answers, more you can not say.
The way the title of you question is written, this is simple arithmetic: the one is the reverse of the other (incidentally, it is recommended to use "mass" intead of "weight")! Now, for what concerns the meaning of these ratios, see the above answers.
I agree with Dr. Kouchkvesky and Bueno and Arvind explain it correctly with references.
Dear Umed Ali
Information on dry matter partitioning between the roots and shoot is important for quantification of the role of roots in yield development, and an essential step in the development of crop simulation models. Further, the amount and/or distribution of roots and their activity in taking up water and nutrients may account for some of the variability in shoot growth. Factors that affect these characteristics (e.g. genotype, growth stage or environment) are thus of interest to those involved in crop ecology and crop improvement. Limited knowledse of root traits has been accumulated.
There is an interdependent relationship between the shoot and roots. The shoot provides carbohydrate to roots which, in turn, supply water and nutrients to the shoot; this functional equilibrium varies with species.
It depends on the denominator you use in the estimation of the ratio and your interest.
For instance you may want to test the effect of fertilizer on the growth of these two important plant parts. If you are dealing with a root crop, you may want to assess whether the fertilizer would more influence the development if the above ground biomass or vice versa.
Root to shoot ratio is related to plant biomass and nutrient accumulation that decides the quality of seedlings. We always applies root to shoot ratio because the below ground biomass accumulates more nutrients at the initial stage.That is the reason plants are surviving few days without water and nutrients.
R / S ratio is more important in Nursery and dry conditions, root development is one important factor to have a healthy seedling cause the highest phosphorus absorption is obtained by contacting the colloid surface.
In post-seeding stages where the sink and source change to leaves and stem, root development is not easily done even with more fertilizer consumption.
P and Ca and Mg are most affected in root growth in the seedling stage;
Based on my own experience in the production of the seedling.
they are reciprocal to each other soot/root = 1/(shoot/root) dry matters , the problem is the exact determination of root weight since its mixing with soil particles and washing determine root weight theoretically with out need for digging roots up . up , root weight is not as important as root geometry , distribution and amount of rootlets , however shoot/root ratio is beneficial in allometry ; which enables the researchers to estimate root weight theoretically.
there is no significant different among those two ratios. both are employed to determine the ratio between biomass above and below ground. yet, for your study case, I assume it is better to employ root/shoot biomass since it can emphasize more on root weight.
there is no significant difference among those two ratios. both are employed to determine the ratio between biomass above and below ground. yet, for your study case, I assume it is better to employ root/shoot biomass since it can emphasize more on root weight.
To answer literally on your question;
The difference is in the numerator and denominator (Shoot/Root ot Root/Shoot).
these fractions refer to your biomass, the balance between above and underground parts of plants
this ratio is usually related to biomass partitioning. this ratio is not only affected by genotype but to a large extent by the growing conditions. for example when dealing with abiotic stress, the ratio is favor for root portioning because plants are trying to reduce its water loss surfaces and increase it water and nutrient absorbing surfaces.
bean seedlings that grow in darkness
have a lower root/shoot ratio. Then, environmental conditions
influence this trait.
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