Characterising root trait variability in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm.

ABSTRACT: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important grain legume crop but its sustainable production is challenged by predicted climate changes, which are likely to increase production limitations and uncertainty in yields. Characterising the variability in root architectural traits in a core collection of chickpea germplasm will provide the basis for breeding new germplasm with suitable root traits for the efficient acquisition of soil resources and adaptation to drought and other abiotic stresses. This study used a semi-hydroponic phenotyping system for assessing root trait variability across 270 chickpea genotypes. The genotypes exhibited large variation in rooting patterns and branching manner. Thirty root-related traits were characterised, 17 of which had coefficients of variation ≥0.3 amon

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5429021 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature