Responses of Maize (Zea mays L.) Roots to Nitrogen Heterogeneity and Intraspecific Competition: Evidence from a Pot Experiment Using the ‘Root Splitting’ Approach

A heterogeneous distribution of nutrients in the soil and root interactions crops coexist agroecosystems. ‘root splitting’ approach, i.e., splitting system into different nutrient compartments, was used to study heterogeneity distributions interactions. We evaluated foraging behavior, individual growth, development mechanisms response nitrogen heterogeneity, intraspecific competition maize. increased precision roots at flowering mature stages (Foraging > 1), significantly biomass surface area on no high side. The had effect yield, total biomass, specific length, area, or average diameter. Intraspecific inter-crop (RII < 0) reduced plant root/shoot ratio. These results inform trait studies provide valid evidence for optimizing managing fertilizer application agroecosystems, helping maximize crop yield use efficiency.