Meyers et al. Nontechnical Summary Meyers, L. L., M. P. Russelle, and J. F. S. Lamb. Fluoridone reveals root elongation differences among alfalfa germplasms. Nitrogen is important for all forms of life because it is required for growth and reproduction. Fertilizer nitrogen and manures are used as nitrogen sources for cereal crops such as wheat and corn.
Excess nitrogen can move downward through the soil as nitrate, causing pollution of groundwater.
One solution would be to use deeply rooted crops, such as alfalfa, to intercept and absorb nitrate. Our research project has been breeding alfalfa with superior root traits for nitrate cleanup. This report describes a new technique for identifying rate and depth of alfalfa root growth. The technique includes lacing a chemical called fluoridone in the soil at a particular depth. Alfalfa is seeded and observed until leaves begin to turn white.