Contrasting ability of deep and shallow rooting rice genotypes to grow through plough pans containing simulated biopores and cracks

Abstract Aims Cracks and biopores in compacted soil such as plough pans could aid deep rooting, mitigating constraints to seasonal upland use of paddy fields for rice production. This research investigated how macropores through a simulated pan affects root growth contrasting shallow rooting genotypes. Methods Deep Black Gora IR64 varieties were grown packed cores unsaturated controlled greenhouse. Simulated cracks (macropores) inserted the form treatments with no macropores, biopores, cracks, combined biopores. Different parameters length density (RLD), volume, diameter, number tips branches measured. The roots was calculated manually, including growing layer. Results Plough had 25–32% more than macropores. RLD 55% greater layer if present compared Conversely, 26% less subsoil greatly influenced by presence pan, deep-rooted produced 81% RLD, 30% numbers 103% branching rooted genotype within Conclusions Macropores improve but not variety. Whereas produce result deeper subsoil.