Do dicotyledons generate greater maximum axial root growth pressures than monocotyledons?
L Clark and P Barraclough Biochemistry and Physiology Department, and Crop and Disease Management Department, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; Corresponding author at: Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4HS, UK. E-mail: lawrence.clark@bbsrc.ac.uk Roots of dicotyledons (dicots) have often been observed to grow better in strong soil than monocotyledons (moncots), and it has been suggested that this could be due to the dicots generating greater root growth pressures. Experiments were therefore carried out to measure the maximum axial root growth pressure (max than monocots: the mean for dicots was 0.41 MPa; the mean for monocots was 0.44 MPa.Key words: dicotyledons, maximum axial root growth pressure, mechanical impedance, monocotyledons, shear beam apparatus.
