Assessing Some Root Morphological Properties and Efficiency indexes in Several Phosphorus Efficient and Inefficient Cultivars of Wheat

Regarding to phosphorus as a low mobility element in soil, identification and application of traits of cultivars that are recognized as phosphorus efficient, will be very important for crop improvement and optimum usage of soil. Maximizing the phosphorus use efficiency of crops in the system is one of the most important approaches considered in phosphorus management. The first step in improving effectiveness of nutrient management practices is having information about how plant root systems interact with the soil. Because of limited researches on function of roots at the uptake of low mobile elements, this investigation was conducted to study some root morphological properties of several phosphorus efficient and phosphorus inefficient cultivars of wheat and their relations with phosphorus efficiency indexes.
In this study, some root morphological properties of several phosphorus-efficient and phosphorus-inefficient cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were compared and their correlations with efficiency indexes were studied. Furthermore, the rhizosphere effect of each cultivar on soil pH and soil phosphorus fractions was investigated. A greenhouse experiment on wheat cultivars as a factorial in completely randomized design was conducted with 8 treatments and 3 replications for six weeks. Experimental factors were different cultivars (2 phosphorus efficient i.e. Azadi and Yavarus and 2 phosphorus inefficient i.e. Karaj 1 and Marvdasht) and soil P levels (natural level of soil P and 20 mg P kg-1 soil). To understand root properties effecting phosphorus efficiency related to cultivar, some root morphological properties (root wet weight, root dry weight and root volume) were measured and then total root length and root surface area were calculated. Shoot wet and dry weight and shoot to root ratio in different cultivars was measured and calculated, too. Finally, total phosphorus uptake, phosphorus acquisition efficiency, phosphorus utilization efficiency and phosphorus efficiency were calculated and correlation between root morphological properties and efficiency indexes was investigated.
There was a significant (p
The differences are attributed to genetic differences among cultivars, root size, root morphology and changes in the rhizosphere. Identification of plants strategies for adoption to low nutrient condition and the right selection of the cultivars can improve the uptake of P in P-deficient soils and crop production.