Roots hide half as much study of a plant. This part is essential for crop production; the length and depth of the roots determine the capture of water and nutrients limiting condition in bread wheat and are targets for crop improvement.
The objective of this work is to study the root architecture of the six Moroccan wheat varieties at the seedling stage in the laboratory. For this reason, an experiment using two different methods (rolled paper and sandwich paper) was carried out during 2020/2021 cropping season. Many roots architecture traits were measures. In addition, an experiment using the same varieties was performed in the field to correlate the root characteristics with yiel and components.
There was significant variation in Siminal Root Angle (SRA) traits between varieties and no significant difference between the two methods, both primary root length and length of shoot were positively associated with grain yield at the non-irrigated diet. The wider the root angle, the lower the yield. This is consistent with the results of the phenotypic correlation analysis.
Based on the results, it is proposed that a narrow angle of the early roots and a primary root length, is important to improve yield potential and should be incorporated into wheat breeding
Keywords: triticum aestivum, root architecture, yield, primary root length, depth of root