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Root growth is affected by soil features that could change after erosion. The goal of this study was to understand how root growth responded to water stress resulting from erosion. For this purpose a pot experiment was conducted combining three eroded soils (lightly, moderately, severely) and four soil water levels (relative to field capacity of 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%) using nondisturbed Luvic Phaeozem soil from field by electric drill. The results showed that the response of soybean root growth to soil water was different for the three eroded soils and varied with growth stages of the plant. Under an optimal water supply, roots grew best in moderately eroded soils. Response of soybean root growth to water stress degree was similar under deficit water situation for three eroded soils, and under excess water stress situation, the root growth of lightly eroded soils was restricted more seriously than that of moderately and severely eroded soils during the initial branching stage. Root growth was restricted only seriously to the lack of water conditions for moderately and severely eroded soils; however, root growth of lightly eroded soils was restricted still seriously to both excess and a lack of water supply, and root growth of lightly eroded soils was restricted more seriously to water stress than that of moderately and severely eroded soils from the branching to maturing stages. The root distributions with depths were not different among three eroded soils under optimal water supply, but root growth of lightly eroded soils was restricted more seriously to water stress than moderately and severely eroded soils for three soil layers, and water stress degree of root weight increased with depths. The study results could provide theoretical basis of improving land productivity for different eroded soils.
