The effect of root system form and function on nitrate uptake by lupins in a leaching environment

[Truncated] Lupin crops form an important component of farming systems in Western Australia. However, the ability of lupins to fix large quantities of atmospheric nitrogen results in a low rate of nitrogen uptake from soil. Mineralised nitrate left to accumulate in sandy soils is at risk of leaching beyond the rooting zone, a process that contributes to topsoil acidification. While the distribution and function of roots determine the success with which a plant can acquire nutrients, the relationship between the form of lupin root systems, and their ability to capture nitrate from leaching environments, remains unstudied. To address this deficiency, this study investigates the ability of lupins to use root plasticity responses to enhance nitrate acquisition, and the close link between plasticity and root architectural form.