Root system traits and its relationship with photosynthesis and productivity in four maize genotypes under drought

The present study combined evaluations of agronomic parameters such as roots morphometry (using the WinRhizo program) and leaf gas exchange, in order to detect features in the root system which allow the maintenance of photosynthetic rates and productivity in four maize genotypes contrasting for tol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cereal research communications 2016-03, Vol.44 (1), p.89-97
Main Authors: Lavinsky, A.O, Magalhães, P.C, Diniz, M.M, Gomes-Jr, C.C, Castro, E.M, Ávila, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
agronomic traits
Corn
drought
drought tolerance
Environmental aspects
fine roots
gas exchange
genotype
leaf area
leaves
Life Sciences
morphometry
Photosynthesis
Physiological aspects
Physiology
Plant Breeding/Biotechnology
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Plant Physiology
plant-water relations
root systems
Roots (Botany)
shoots
stress response
Zea mays
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Summary:The present study combined evaluations of agronomic parameters such as roots morphometry (using the WinRhizo program) and leaf gas exchange, in order to detect features in the root system which allow the maintenance of photosynthetic rates and productivity in four maize genotypes contrasting for tolerance to water deficit (WD), two tolerant (DKB 390 and BRS1055) and two sensitive (BRS 1010 and 2B710). The genotypes showed similar tolerance to dehydration of leaf tissue, but the tolerant genotypes DKB 390 and BRS1055 presented higher photosynthetic rate and yield compared to the sensitive BRS 1010 and 2B710. Nevertheless, divergent strategies of adaptation to drought among tolerant genotypes were observed. The genotype DKB 390 presented physiological mechanisms in shoots responsible for minimizing water loss, which decreases the dependence of root adjustments to increase the absorption of water. In turn, the BRS 1055 genotype showed a drought avoidance strategy by producing fine roots associated with a higher leaf area.
ISSN:1788-9170
0133-3720
1788-9170
DOI:10.1556/0806.43.2015.029