Construction of a large-scale semi-field facility to study genotypic differences in deep root growth and resources acquisition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Roots are vital organs for plants, and the effective use of resources from the soil is important for yield stability. However, phenotypic variation in root traits among crop genotypes is mostly unknown and field screening of root development is costly and labour demanding. As a consequence, new methods are needed to investigate root traits of fully grown crops under field conditions, particularly roots in the deeper soil horizons.

Results

We developed a new phenotyping facility (RadiMax) for the study of root growth and soil resource acquisition under semi-field conditions. The facility consists of 4 units each covering 400 m² and containing 150 minirhizotrons, allowing root observation in the 0.4 m-1.8 m or 0.7 m-2.8 m soil depth interval. Roots are ob

SUBMITTER: Svane SF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6425565 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature