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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Using tube rhizotrons to measure variation in depth penetration rate among modern North-European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

AU - Ytting, Nanna Karkov

AU - Andersen, Sven Bode

AU - Thorup-Kristensen, Kristian

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - 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 winter-conditions 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.

AB - 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 winter-conditions 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.

KW - Breeding

KW - Method

KW - Phenotyping

KW - Root architecture

KW - Root depth

KW - Screening

U2 - 10.1007/s10681-014-1163-8

DO - 10.1007/s10681-014-1163-8

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84905381724

SN - 0014-2336

VL - 199

SP - 233

EP - 245

JO - Euphytica

JF - Euphytica

IS - 1-2

ER -