Genetic Diversity under Soil Compaction in Wheat: Root Number as a Promising Trait for Early Plant Vigor.

ABSTRACT: Soil compaction of arable land, caused by heavy machinery constitutes a major threat to agricultural soils in industrialized countries. The degradation of soil structure due to compaction leads to decreased (macro-) porosity resulting in increased mechanical impedance, which adversely affects root growth and crop productivity. New crop cultivars, with root systems that are adapted to conditions of increased soil strength, are needed to overcome the limiting effects of soil compaction on plant growth. This study aimed (i) to quantify the genetic diversity of early root system development in wheat and to relate this to shoot development under different soil bulk densities and (ii) to test whether root numbers are suitable traits to assess the genotypic tolerance to soil compaction. Fourteen

SUBMITTER: Colombi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5368237 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature