Genetics of root traits influencing nitrogen use efficiency under varied nitrogen level in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Ranjan, Rumesh and Yadav, Rajbir (2022) Genetics of root traits influencing nitrogen use efficiency under varied nitrogen level in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 50 (4). pp. 755-765. ISSN 0133-3720 (print), 1788-9170 (online)

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Abstract

To minimize unused nitrogen (N) fertilizer in the soil, improving the nitrogen use efficiency of the cropping system is of utmost importance. Plants mainly absorb N from the soil through roots. The study was, therefore, carried out to know the inheritance pattern of root traits responsible for N uptake. Extreme six spring wheat lines selected from 175 genotypes screened for root dry weight under hydroponic condition were crossed in half diallel to generate 15 F1s. These F1s along with their parents were evaluated under hydroponic condition for rooting depth (RD), root surface area (RSA), root volume (RV), total root length (TRL) and numbers of root tips (N tips) under N-limiting and N-non-limiting environment. Combining ability analysis revealed significant contribution due to both general combining ability and specific combining ability for all root traits indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions under both N environments. However, the relative importance of each was different in the two environments, indicating, therefore, separate breeding strategies for the two environments. Early generation selection for the root traits like RD, TRL, RSA, RV and N tips under N non-limiting can be effectively integrated into the breeding programme as indicated by preponderance of additive gene effects in the study. The distribution pattern of the various roots traits in the F2 generation of a specific cross indicates the involvement of multiple genes with minor effects for the most of root traits and therefore confirms our earlier observations that selection for the root traits can be effective; however, the stage of selection (early vs. late generation) depends upon the N environment.

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