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Deeper root system architecture confers better stability to photosynthesis and yield compared to shallow system under terminal drought stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

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Abstract

Six wheat genotypes with contrasting rooting depth and root system size at anthesis stage as initially identified from PVC pipe method were further evaluated for root system architecture (RSA) by agar gel plate and trench profile wall methods. Wheat genotypes C-306, HI-1500 and RAJ-3765 showed deeper rooting in pipe, narrower seminal root angle by agar gel plate method and higher root number density in the trench profile wall. Genotype HI1500 showed maximum total root length in pipe and highest root length density (RLD) in trench profile. Whereas, the genotypes EC-573549 and HD-2824 showed relatively shallow rooting depth in pipe, wider seminal root angle and a relatively lower root number density in the trench profile wall. Correlations were observed among the diverse RSA parameters measured from different methods. Finally, the response of photosynthesis and yield parameters in these genotypes were evaluated under terminal drought stress in field. It was tested whether deeper RSA (as in HI1500, C-306 and HI-1500) performed better under terminal drought stress than the shallower RSA genotypes (EC-573549 and HD-2824). Higher root number density in soil profile was associated with a lesser decline in leaf photosynthesis rate under drought. Deeper rooting genotypes showed lower Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI) for photosynthesis parameters compared to the shallow rooting types. Highest photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate maintained in HI1500 in drought stress was associated with its deeper and largest root system (RLD), however its 1000 grain weight was susceptible (SSI > 1). The genotype Drysdale with a higher intrinsic water use efficiency showed more tolerance for 1000 grain weight. In general, higher terminal stress tolerance for yield (SSI < 1) in C-306, RAJ-3765 and HI1500 was associated with deeper rooting.

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Acknowledgements

1. ICAR fellowship to Ph.D. student GR Rathod (ICAR-IARI) is gratefully acknowledged. 2. Authors wish to convey sincere thanks to ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India for financial support to the in-house project entitled ‘‘Deciphering physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance and nutrient use efficiency of crop plants’’ (2014-2021).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, 110012, India

    Gajendra Ramesh Rathod, Rakesh Pandey, Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Vijay Paul & Madan Pal Singh

  2. Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, 110012, India

    Neelu Jain

  3. ICAR-National Institute of Plant Biotechnology (NIPB), New Delhi, 110012, India

    Pranab Kumar Mandal

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  1. Gajendra Ramesh Rathod
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  4. Vijay Paul
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  5. Neelu Jain
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Contributions

GRR, RP, CV designed the experiment, GRR, RP collected the samples GRR, RP, VP recorded data. All the authors have contributed equally in analyzing the data, writing of the manuscript, gone through it and approved it for submission.

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Correspondence to Rakesh Pandey.

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Rathod, G.R., Pandey, R., Chinnusamy, V. et al. Deeper root system architecture confers better stability to photosynthesis and yield compared to shallow system under terminal drought stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plant Physiol. Rep. 27, 250–259 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-022-00652-1

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