ABSTRACT
S. S. Prihar and P. R. Gajri, examining the effect of irrigation on dryland crops, used two soils of loamy sand and sandy loam texture and found a higher progressive growth of roots and a shallower rooting depth of wheat in sandy than in loamy soil. They also received differentiation in wheat root density in respect to the texture of the soils in further experiments. Soil water status is one of the most important parameters affecting root growth and functions. Rooting of a plant is directly affected by the influence of water and indirectly affected by other physical factors, such as aeration, mechanical impedance, temperature, and transport of nutrients toward the root in the soil. Soil moisture influences water and nutrient uptake by roots. The rate of root water uptake from the soil depends on the root length density, soil hydraulic conductivity, and the difference between soil water suction and root suction.
