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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #218602
Title: Field investigation of rooting potential in sorghum

Author
item McMichael, Bobbie
item Franks, Cleve

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2007
Publication Date: 11/8/2007
Citation: McMichael, B.L., Franks, C.D. 2007. Field investigation of rooting potential in sorghum [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, November 4-8, 2007, New Orleans, Louisiana. Paper No. 160-8. 2007 CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The differential influence of root systems on plant development under field conditions is very difficult. A field experiment was devised using three different row spacings (101,152 and 203 cm ) to screen sorghum germplasm for rooting potential based on the relative ability to explore additional soil volume for water. The hypothesis is that grain yield increases as the available soil volume increases, providing that the germplasm has the potential to produce a root system capable of taking advantage of the additional water resources. Forty lines from various germplasm backgrounds were grown in a replicated field test at two locations. Grain yield as well as other growth parameters were measured. The results demonstrated that root growth potential as measured by differences in apparant yield was significant across entries and locations.