The root system and N uptake of a safflower crop (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Field experiment was conducted to study the root system and nitrogen (N) uptake of safflower crop, using three levels of N (0, 40 and 80 kg N ha'1). N application has increased root dry matter and length. When there was shortage of rainfall, the crop roots extended in the deeper layers of the soil. Root and shoot N content also increased with the application of N. In the early stages of growth, it was found that most of the N in the plant was present in the leaves and stems but as the plant matured this N would shift towards the seeds but around 6-10% of the N in the plant would also be present in the roots