PJB-2017-624
ROOT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND BIOMASS UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
DARUNEE PUANGBUT
Abstract
Root length density and rooting depth have been established as drought resistant traits and these could be used as selection criteria for drought resistant genotype in many plant species. However, information on deep rooting and the root distribution pattern of Jerusalem artichoke under drought conditions is not well documented in the literature. The objective of this study was to investigate the root distribution pattern in Jerusalem artichoke genotypes under irrigated and drought conditions. This experiment was conducted within a greenhouse using rhizoboxes. Three Jerusalem artichoke genotypes were tested under two water regimes (irrigated and drought). A 2 × 3 factorial experiment organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications over two years. Data were recorded for root traits, photosynthesis and biomass at 30 days after imposing drought. Drought decreased root length, root surface area and root dry weight. Drought increased the root: shoot ratio, root distribution in the deeper soil layer and the percentage of root length at deeper in the soil, when compared to the irrigated conditions. The genotype with high root length in the lower soil layer in response to drought could be identified as drought resistant genotype. The highest positive correlation was found between root length at deeper soil layer with RWC, Pn and biomass. It is expected that selection of Jerusalem artichoke with high root length coupled with maintaining high RWC and their promotion to Pn could be improved biomass and tuber yield under drought conditions.
To Cite this article:
Download
