Genotypic Variability in Root Morphology in a Diverse Wheat Genotypes Under Drought and Low Phosphorus Stress
Xin Li,
Yinglong Chen,
Yuzhou Xu,
Haoyang Sun,
Yamin Gao,
Peng Yan,
Qilong Song,
Shiqing Li,
Ai Zhan
Affiliations
Xin Li
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Yinglong Chen
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Yuzhou Xu
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Haoyang Sun
College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Yamin Gao
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Peng Yan
Baoji Academy of Agricultural Science, Baoji 722400, China
Qilong Song
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Shiqing Li
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Ai Zhan
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
Screening genotypes with optimal root traits presents a promising breeding strategy for enhancing adaptability to abiotic stresses and improving resource use efficiency. This study evaluated root traits of 100 winter wheat genotypes under four treatments: control (C), low phosphorus (LP), PEG-induced drought (D), and a combination of LP and drought (DLP), using a semi-hydroponic phenotyping platform. Significant variations in root traits were observed 65 days after transplanting, with over 80% of traits being significantly affected by drought, phosphorus, or their interactions. Biomass and phosphorus content decreased under LP and drought, while root length and diameter in deeper layers increased, especially under drought stress. Combined stress led to the most severe reductions in biomass, P-content, and leaf number. Phosphorus acquisition efficiency was positively correlated with root length but inversely related to stress tolerance. High heritability traits, such as root number, root length, maximum root depth, leaf number, and biomass, hold potential for breeding programs focused on environmental adaptation, resource efficiency, and yield improvement. The substantial genotypic variation in root morphology under stress conditions highlights the potential for breeding stress-resilient wheat genotypes. This finding lays a foundation for wheat-breeding initiatives aimed at developing genotypes better suited to prevailing environmental conditions.
