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Evaluation of root system architecture and osmotic adaptation in barley
Klem, Karel ; Findurová, Hana ; Urban, Otmar ; Holub, Petr
Drought tolerance based on improving root system architecture, in particular by increasing rooting depth, increasing root density at deeper layers, or osmotic adjustment, is one of the most effective ways of adapting to drought, especially in conditions where sufficient water remains in the deeper soil layers during the dry season. Moreover, osmotic adjustment is a trait that allows plants to take up water even when water availability is limited, including the deeper soil layers. On the other hand, however, these are traits that are very difficult to evaluate, given their hidden nature or the need to laboriously excavate roots growing in the soil. This is also the reason why, despite their considerable importance, these features have long been overlooked. Breeding for these traits is done only indirectly by evaluating yield response to drought or indirect physiological or morphological parameters. \nIn this methodology, three methods for evaluating root system architecture or osmotic adjustment are presented which allow selection for specific root system architecture traits or osmotic adjustment, to be carried out on a large number of genotypes, using a relatively simple method based on the cultivation of roots on black filter paper, either hydroponically or aeroponically. This method allows a detailed analysis of root system architecture parameters that are important for drought tolerance and also a relatively easy test of osmotic adjustment by inducing osmotic stress with polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution. Both methods have been successfully validated, in the first case in a model experiment with nutrient deficiency, in which the effect on root system architecture is confounded, and in the second case in a set of barley genetic resources and varieties in which previously obtained information on drought tolerance of some genotypes was confirmed. \nAnother of the methods presented is the cultivation of roots in rhizoboxes filled with sand with a grid of spikes that hold the roots in the position in which they grew when washed. This method again allows the root system architecture to be assessed, but in this case under conditions that more closely match real soil conditions. The method was validated in three barley genotypes with contrasting root system vigor. The method used not only demonstrated the expected differences in rooting depth and root density distribution but also showed a relationship to the physiological response to reduced water availability in terms of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate. \nTherefore, all the methods presented here are suitable tools to help breeders in the selection of drought-tolerant barley genotypes.
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Effect of nutrients deficiencies on root architecture and growth of winter wheat
Rattanapichai, W. ; Klem, Karel
The study of the effects of N, P, K deficiencies on root architecture and growth was tested in phenotyping platform with winter wheat (Bohemia variety). The experiment was arranged with 4 treatments: Complete nutrient, Without N, Without P and Without K. The root were grown on the surface of vertically fixed black filter paper sheets (30x60cm), covered from both sides by black plastic sheets (PVC-P). The system was setup with a micro-irrigation channel in the top of sheets to ensure circulation of hydroponic medium as hydroponic system. Eighteen days after transplanting, we took the root images by the standard RGB digital camera. To evaluate the root architecture parameters the "SmartRoot" software was used. The results showed that nutrient deficiency had effect on root architecture of winter wheat. N deficiency increase in total seminal root and lateral root length and root/shoot ratio, while P deficiency resulted in increase of mean root diameter, total root area when compared to the control. N deficiency also decreased root and shoot dry weight and total leaf area. However, nutrient deficiency slightly decreased lateral density. There was a slight effect of K deficiency on root architecture when compared to the complete nutrient application. The increasing of leaf dry weight was related with the increased of root dry weight.
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