However, these were only above-ground observations and no suggestion was made concerning the actual lodging process below ground. Ennos (1991) produced the first below-ground observation of the lodging process using spring wheat, with what he termed the ‘Root Sliding Model’. Here, as the plant is pushed over, the root system rotates about a point 10-15 mm below the base of the stem, the coronal roots are bent at their bases and they move axially into and out of the soil.