Studies the rooting pattern of aonla by root excavation technique

Rooting pattern studies were carried out on five year old trees of aonla during spring and post rainy season. In each experimental tree, a circle with a radius of 2.4 m from the base of the tree trunk was marked and soil was excavated from one-eighth portion of the area of the circle. The 2.4 m radius was further divided into 0–80 cm, 80–160 cm and 160–240 cm portion. Each portion was excavated for four depths viz. 0–25 cm, 25–50 cm, 50–75 and 75–100 cm during both the season. On the basis of diameter, in each treatment roots were divided in to four categories viz. less than 0.2 cm in diameter (feeder), 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm in diameter (thin), 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm in diameter (medium) and more than 1.5 cm in diameter (thick). The distribution of root pattern was influenced by the distance from tree trunk, soil depth and the season of excavation. It was recorded that root density was found maximum at nearest radial distance from tree trunk i.e. 0–80 cm (81.06% and 71.55% during post rainy and spring season, respectively) and an increase in distance from the tree trunk resulted in reduction of root density considerably. During post rainy season, roots were found maximum at 0 to 25 cm followed by 25 to 50 cm, 50 to 75 and 75–100 cm soil depths. Same results obtained in spring season. Root density was higher during the post rainy season than in spring at different distances from the tree trunk. The feeder roots were recorded higher in post rainy season compare to spring season.