Variability of Seminal Roots Angle in Some European Winter Wheat Cultivars

Abstract

Root system traits are important for soil exploration and using soil resources. Wheat root system architecture is closely related to seminal roots axis angle in the seedlings stage. We tested several wheat cultivars with previously known different responses to drought. There was a significant variability between the studied genotypes for seminal roots angle. Western Europe cultivars had angles above 84º, while Romanian cultivars showed a large variability. The simple technique that we used allows breeding to improve wheat root architecture, for a better use of water and nutrients in different water availability conditions.