Relations between shoot to root dry weight ratio (S : R), total plant dry weight (DW), shoot and plant N concentration and leaf soluble protein concentration were examined for pea (Pisum sativum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different nutrient deficiencies. A regression model incorporating leaf soluble protein concentration and plant DW could explain greater than 80% of the variation in S : R within and between treatments for pea supplied different concentrations of NO3– or NH4+ in solid substrate; pea and bean supplied different concentrations of N, P, K and Mg in liquid culture; and wheat supplied different concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, Ca and S in liquid culture. Addition of shoot or plant N concentration to the model explained little more of the variation in S : R. It is concluded that results are consistent with the proposal that macronutrient effects on S : R are primarily mediated through their effects on protein synthesis and growth.
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Andrews et al. (1999) studied this question.