The spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of water and nitrogen in the soil profile are essential influencing factors that determine the development of crop root systems. The purpose of this study was to clarify the inter-row and inter-tree variability in soil moisture in the apple root zone, and to determine the effective root diameter ranges of apple trees that influence water and nitrogen absorption. The method used was a 2-year border irrigation experiment carried out in a traditional apple orchard in Zuncun, Shanxi Province, China. D...
