There is a relationship between root growth angle at early seedling stage and vertical root growth of adult plants in wheat. However, only limited information is available regarding whether root growth angle can be selected for deep root system for improved grain yield under drought conditions. I am looking for research collaborations for root system improvement in wheat for drought tolerance.
Is this trait heritable? I mean what is the heritability of this trait, and also the genetic correlation with yield?
@ Ram: In rice- DRO1 (Deeper Rooting 1) gene has been well characterized and used in breeding for deep rooted rice (Nature Genetics 45, 1097–1102 (2013) doi:10.1038/ng.2725). In wheat- QTL have been identified, there is increasing interest on this trait, its value at field performance level not demonstrated so far. Pls. see: Plant Soil (2012) 354:395–405 DOI 10.1007/s11104-011-1075-5; Functional Plant Biology, 2006, 33, 823–837. Low heritability ~0 .4 (wheat).
Selecting of narrow or wide root angle depends on management practices. for example, if you are interested to do skip row system, wider root angle may prefer because it can extract water from a wider area.
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