Authors: Ying Long Chen Vanessa M Dunbabin Art J Diggle Kadambot H M Siddique Zed Rengel
Publish Date: 2011/11/18
Volume: 354, Issue: 1-2, Pages: 141-155
Abstract
Intraspecific variation in root system architecture and consequent efficiency of resource capture by major crops has received recent attention The aim of this study was to assess variability in a number of root traits among wild genotypes of narrowleafed lupin Lupinus angustifolius L to provide a basis for modelling of root structureA subset of 111 genotypes of L angustifolius was selected from a large germplasm pool based on similarity matrices calculated using Diversity Array Technology markers Plants were grown for 6 weeks in the established semihydroponic phenotyping systems to measure the finescale features of the root systemsRoot morphology of wild L angustifolius was primarily dominated by the taproot and firstorder branches with the presence of densely or sparsely distributed secondorder branches in the late growth stage Large variation in most root traits was identified among the tested genotypes Total root length branch length and branch number in the entire root system and in the upper roots were the most varied traits coefficient of variation CV 050 Over 94 of the root system architectural variation determined from the principal components analysis was captured by six components eigenvalue 1 Five relatively homogeneous groups of genotypes with distinguished patterns of root architecture were separated by kmeans clustering analysisVariability in the finescale features of root systems such as branching behaviour and taproot growth rates provides a basis for modelling root system structure which is a promising path for selecting desirable root traits in breeding and domestication of wild and exotic resources of L angustifolius for stressful or poor soil environmentsThe Australian Research Council ARC provided funding for this research We acknowledge J Clements from The University of Western Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia for providing lupin seed and advice for this work We are grateful to JP Lynch of Pennsylvania State University for critical comments on a draft and M Renton for an initial discussion on the use of R program
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