Restricted Rooting Decreases Tillering and Growth of Winter Wheat1

Winter wheat [Trificum aestivum(L.) em Thell. cv. Stephens] seedling growth and development were observed for plants grown in a greenhouse in 1.65 × 10 ‒4m3or 3.40 × 10 ‒3m3of potting soil to determine the effect of restricted root development on plant growth with adequate water and minerals supplied. Plants grown in a smaller volume of soil were significantly reduced in size as measured by number of leaves and culms/plant, main stem height, and final dry weight/plant. These results suggest that confining roots to a small volume of rooting medium will in itself limit coordination of plant growth in an otherwise suitable environment.