?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_id=10.1007%2Fs10681-014-112&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=https%3A%2F%2Forgprints.org%2Fid%2Feprint%2F26239%2F&rft.title=Genetic+differences+in+root+mass+of+Lolium+perenne+varieties+under+field+conditions&rft.creator=Deru%2C+Joachim&rft.creator=Schilder%2C+Henk&rft.creator=Schoot%2C+Jan+Rinze%2C+van+der&rft.creator=Eekeren%2C+N.+van&rft.subject=+Soil+quality&rft.subject=+Nutrient+turnover&rft.subject=+Biodiversity+and+ecosystem+services&rft.description=Although+grasses+have+dense+rooting+systems%2C+nutrient+uptake+and+productivity+can+be+increased%2C+and+N-leaching+reduced%2C+if+rooting+is+further+improved.+The+variation+in+root+mass+of+16+varieties+of+Lolium+perenne+was+studied+under+field+conditions+in+two+experiments+on+sandy+soil+in+The+Netherlands.The+chosen+varieties+differed+in+genetic+and+aboveground+characteristics+such+as+ploidy%2C+productivity+and+grass+cover.+Root+dry+matter+(RDM)+was+measured+in+the+0%E2%80%938%2C+8%E2%80%9316+and+16%E2%80%9324+cm+soil+layers.+In+summary%2C+we+found+that+RDM+of+perennial+ryegrass+differed+significantly+between+arieties+under+field+conditions.+These+differences+were+not+linked+to+grass+yield%2C+which+indicates+that+it+is+possible+to+select+perennial+ryegrass+varieties+that+combine+high+aboveground+productivity+with+high+RDM.+In+the+first+experiment%2C+which+was+managed+by+cutting%2C+diploid+varieties+had+higher+RDM+than+tetraploid+varieties.+Grand+mean+RDM+in+the+second+experiment%2C+which+was+managed+by+cutting+as+well+as+grazing%2C+was+lower+than+in+the+first+experiment.+In+this+experiment%2C+total+RDM+was+not+influenced+by+ploidy+but+by+grass+cover+type%3A+high+grass+cover+types+had+higher+RDM.+Differences+in+management+between+the+two+experiments+possibly+explain+the+differences+in+RDM+and+in+the+influence+of+chosen+characteristics+on+RDM.+Considering+challenges+in+the+areas+of+climate+change%2C+water+availability%2C+pollution+and+soil+degradation%2C+grass+varieties+with+improved+root+systems+could+significantly+contribute+to+a+more+efficient+use+of+nutrients+and+water%2C+erosion+control%2C+soil+improvement+and+carbon+sequestration.&rft.date=2014-05-04&rft.type=Journal+paper&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=%2Fid%2Feprint%2F26239%2F1%2F2903.pdf&rft.identifier=+++Deru%2C+Joachim%3B+Schilder%2C+Henk%3B+Schoot%2C+Jan+Rinze%2C+van+der+and+Eekeren%2C+N.+van+++(2014)+Genetic+differences+in+root+mass+of+Lolium+perenne+varieties+under+field+conditions.+++Euphytica%2C+may+20%2C+pp.+1-11.++++++++&rft.relation=10.1007%2Fs10681-014-112&rft.identifier=10.1007%2Fs10681-014-112&rft.doi=10.1007%2Fs10681-014-112