Low-P solution culture can be used for screening root growth vigor in soil for high nutrient uptake of spring wheat varieties

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: Root and root hairs of plants have been intensively studied in solution culture; however, correlation of such measurements in solution culture with development in soil is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study is to study whether root and root hairs grown in solution culture can predict their behavior in soil and their correlation with macro- and micronutrients uptake of wheat genotypes.Materials and methods: The growth of roots and root hairs as well as uptake of macro- and micronutrients of six spring wheat varieties was compared in solution culture under P stress and P abundance and in a low fertility soil.Results and conclusions: Root length and surface area under P stress were significantly positively correlated with that in the low fertility soil, while no such correlation was apparent for root hair length and density. In absolute terms, the root length, surface area, root hair length and density of spring wheat varieties were substantially higher in soil than in solution culture, while the concentration and uptake of macro- and micronutrients in soil differed from solution culture in a complex way. The early uptake of macro- and micronutrients was intimately associated with root length and surface area as well as root hair length and density in soil but not in solution culture. Therefore, root length rather than root hair traits in low-P solution may be used to screen early root growth vigor in soil and thereby high nutrient uptake of wheat in low fertility soil.