Using tube rhizotrons to measure variation in depth penetration rate among modern North-European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

Abstract

Deeper plant root systems are desired for improved water and nitrogen uptake in leaching environments. However, phenotyping for deep roots requires methods that enable plants to develop deep roots under realistic conditions. Winter cereals raise further complications as early growth occurs under low light and temperature during autumn and winterconditions not met in standard glasshouse facilities. This study used tube rhizotrons of 2 m length, positioned outdoor under a rainout shelter to screen for depth penetration rates (DPR) of roots. Rooting depths of 1 to 1.5 m were achieved with 23 widely grown North European winter wheat cultivars in two autumn/winter and two summer experiments and nine of the cultivars were represented in two or more experiments. Heritability of DPR of roots was only consistent in autumn/winter experiments (27 %) signifying the importance of phenotyping in relevant seasons and environments. Depth penetration rate of roots varied significantly within the tested cultivars, from 1.39 (±0.35) mm°C-1 day-1 for cv. Tuareg to 2.07 (±0.34) mm°C-1 day-1, for cv. Mercedes. This study documented consistent differences of DPR among North-European winter wheat cultivars in long tube rhizotrons under semi-natural conditions, which may form part of future phenotyping facilities for deep rooting traits.

Evolutionary changes of weed competitive traits in winter wheat composite cross populations in organic and conventional farming systems

“…The hydroponic technique used in this study showed that the QCCPs had larger root and shoot systems. Greater seedling vigour in root and shoot growth affects N uptake in wheat , and rooting depth of winter wheat genotypes is important for the uptake of nitrogen during stem elongation and grain filling (Ytting et al, 2014). Under limited supply of available nitrogen in early developmental phases, as common in organic farming, early shoot growth will result in higher photosynthesis, resulting in more assimilates being translocated to the roots Kamiji et al, 2014).…”

Root system-based limits to agricultural productivity and efficiency: the farming systems context

“…Prospects for genetic improvements to the root penetration rate of wheat are under investigation and have been discussed in recent papers (Palta et al, 2011;Wasson et al, 2012), and some evidence for varietal differences has been suggested (Wasson et al, 2012(Wasson et al, , 2014Ytting et al, 2014;Rasmussen et al, 2015), though these are yet to be adequately separated from influences of flowering time and length of vegetative stage. A study from Western Australia showed a significant interaction between soil conditions and genotypes for deep rooting, indicating that it may be difficult to breed genotypes with a general ability to form deeper root systems (Acuna and Wade, 2012).…”

A comparative study of root system architecture in seedlings ofBrachypodium spp.using three plant growth supports

“…(Forde and Lorenzo 2001;White et al 2013). Root development was analysed in plants grown in the field *Corresponding author; E-mail: juanm.gonzalez@uah.es 70 González et al: Root System Architecture in Brachypodium Cereal Research Communications 44, 2016 (Trachsel et al 2011), in pots filled with sand or soil (Waines and Ehdaie 2007) and in rhizotrons (Tyagi et al 2014;Ytting et al 2014). In all these studies, however, the roots had to be extracted and washed before any phenotypic examination could be made.…”