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Root Characteristics: Why and What to Measure

  • Chapter
Root Methods

Abstract

A volume on available methods for the measurement of roots must begin by questioning why such a volume is needed and thus with questions such as “Why measure roots?” “What root parameters need to be measured?” and “What is the functional, physiological, or ecological significance of a particular morphological assessment?” To provide some perspective to this volume, these key questions are discussed here. Measurements of root properties are made and used by those involved in quantifying and managing both agricultural and natural ecosystems. It is important therefore that methods and definitions can be used in relation to the full range of species found in a complete range of habitats.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK

    D. Atkinson

Authors
  1. D. Atkinson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Research International (Wageningen UR), Postbus 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Albert L. Smit  & Siebe C. van de Geijn  & 

  2. Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) Invergowie, DD2 5DA, Dundee, UK

    A. Glyn Bengough

  3. Institute of Geosciences, Department of Agroecology, University of Bayreuth, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany

    Christof Engels

  4. ICRAF, JI CIFOR, PO Box 161, Situ Gede Sindang Barang Bogor 16680, 16001, Bogor, Indonesia

    Meine van Noordwijk

  5. INRA, 71 Avenue Edouard Bourleaux, B.P. 81, 33883, Villenave d’Ornon, France

    Sylvain Pellerin

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© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Atkinson, D. (2000). Root Characteristics: Why and What to Measure. In: Smit, A.L., Bengough, A.G., Engels, C., van Noordwijk, M., Pellerin, S., van de Geijn, S.C. (eds) Root Methods. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04188-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04188-8_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-08602-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-04188-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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