2023-04-172023-04-172023Singh, M., Singh, S., Deb, S., & Ritchie, G.. 2023. Root distribution, soil water depletion, and water productivity of sweet corn under deficit irrigation and biochar application. Agricultural Water Management, 279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108192https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108192https://hdl.handle.net/2346/92876© 2023 The Authors cc-by-nc-ndRoot modifications can play a vital role in crop adjustments to soil water deficit. It is important to understand root growth and soil water depletion patterns to develop effective cropping systems, especially in semi-arid regions like Texas High Plains (THP). This study evaluated root growth, soil water depletion, and water productivity (WP) of sweet corn under three deficit irrigation treatments [100 %, 70 % and 40 % crop evapotranspiration (ETc)] and biochar application (hardwood and softwood). The experimental units were replicated 4 times in a split-plot design. The results revealed no interaction between irrigation and biochar treatments for almost all measured parameters. The 70 % ETc treatment increased the root length density (RLD) over 100 % ETc during 2019, while no differences were observed among irrigation treatments in 2020. Both deficit irrigations (70 % and 40 % ETc) increased soil water depletion compared to 100 % ETc, the highest being in 40 % ETc. The 70 % ETc maintained a similar yield and increased WP by 21 % compared to 100 % ETc across two years. However, 40 % ETc resulted in significant decline in yield and WP in 2020. The hardwood biochar increased RLD over no biochar treatment without affecting the soil water status and WP. Long-term studies are needed to investigate biochar effects beyond two years of application. In case of limited water availability, 70 % ETc can be recommended as an alternative to 100 % ETc in the THP of the US.engDrought stressEvapotranspirationRoot length densitySemi-aridSoil water contentArticle