Effect of nitrogen application on the expression of drought-induced root plasticity of upland NERICA rice

This study evaluated the effect of three N fertilization levels 60 (low), 120 (medium), and 180 (high) kg N ha(-1) and soil moisture content gradients created by a line-source sprinkler on the expression of plasticity in lateral root branching and dry matter production (DMP) of upland new rice for Africa (NERICA) 1 and 4. There were no significant differences in DMP between NERICA 1 and 4 under well-watered, mild drought, and severe drought conditions regardless of N level. In contrast, under moderate drought (12-21% v/v of soil moisture content [SMC] in 2011 and 16-24% v/v of SMC in 2012), NERICA 1 had significantly higher shoot dry weight, total root length (TRL), lateral root length, and branching index than NERICA 4 at medium and high N; however, there was no significant difference between the two NERICAs in DMP at low N. TRL of NERICA 1 was significantly higher under moderate drought than well-watered conditions, but only with medium and high N. Regardless of N level, moderate drought did not enhance NERICA 4's root system. Thus, NERICA 1's root system exhibited plastic development, promoting lateral root branching at medium and high N. These morphological changes were associated with the greater DMP in NERICA 1 than NERICA 4 under moderate drought, whereas the lack of such plasticity at low N meant genotypic differences in DMP were obscured. Our findings implied that N application can improve upland NERICA productivity under moderate drought conditions, but differences in variety and field conditions may influence efficacy.