Kamar et al. (2026) Drivers and consequences of soil–water–nutrient mediated deep rooting in rainfed loess plateau apple orchards: A synthesis review

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-03
• Authors: SK Shamshul Alam Kamar, Dilip Kumar Roy, Xia Wang, Min Li
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110600

Research Groups

• Key Laboratory of Agricultural Soil and Water Engineering in Arid and Semiarid Areas, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
• Irrigation and Water Management Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

Short Summary

This study synthesizes the drivers and consequences of soil-water-nutrient mediated deep rooting in rainfed loess plateau apple orchards. The main finding is that deep rooting is a complex process influenced by multiple factors, including nutrient hotspots, soil organic carbon, water availability, and tree age.

Objective

• Examine the influence of soil nutrients on root growth and architecture throughout the lifespan of an apple tree.
• Characterize the spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of root-water uptake in apple trees.
• Evaluate the spatiotemporal coupling between root growth and water uptake and its implications for soil hydrology and carbon cycling.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Regional (Chinese Loess Plateau) to local (orchard scale)
• Temporal Scale: Long-term (years to decades)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not specified
• Data sources: Peer-reviewed original research articles, review papers, conference proceedings, and field measurements

Main Results

• Deep rooting is a strategic response of apple trees to resource gradients, internal tree physiology, and anthropogenic management.
• Nutrient hotspots in deep soil layers drive deeper root proliferation.
• Soil organic carbon sequestration peaks in middle-aged orchards and coincides with active root system expansion.
• Tree age operates as the master variable, dictating the scale and strategy of resource acquisition through ontogenetic changes in carbon allocation, nutrient demand, and hydraulic architecture.

Contributions

• This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the sustainability challenges and opportunities in apple orchards, progressing from proximal drivers through ecosystem consequences to integrated feedback mechanisms.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering multiple factors influencing deep rooting, including nutrient hotspots, soil organic carbon, water availability, and tree age.

Funding

• Ministry of Education (China)
• Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

Citation

@article{Kamar2026Drivers,
  author = {Kamar, SK Shamshul Alam and Roy, Dilip Kumar and Wang, Xia and Li, Min},
  title = {Drivers and consequences of soil–water–nutrient mediated deep rooting in rainfed loess plateau apple orchards: A synthesis review},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110600},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110600}
}