juurtal
Juurtal is a term used in theoretical and applied ecology to describe a composite index of root system characteristics in a given soil profile. It combines root length density, biomass, and depth distribution to assess how effectively a plant community exploits soil resources. The concept is used to compare root systems across species, climates, and management regimes.
Origin and usage: The term was introduced in contemporary root ecology literature as a standardized metric
Definition and calculation: A juurtal value is computed by integrating measurements of root length per unit
Measurement methods: Data are gathered via soil coring, root washing, or minirhizotron imaging; subsequent analysis combines
Applications and limitations: Juurtal informs crop selection, irrigation planning, and ecological modeling. Limitations include lack of
History: The term emerged in the late 2010s and has appeared in several regional studies; it remains