Architecture and distribution of maize roots grown under contrasting water regimes

Authors

  • Carlos Eduardo Corsato
  • Suerlani Aparecida Ferreira Moreira
  • Pablo Fernando Santos Alves
  • Alcinei Mistico Azevedo

Abstract

The root system architecture influences the spatiotemporal dynamics of the process of exploring and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. Prospecting root phenes can help to identify genotypes adapted to restrictive soil water conditions. This study aimed to phenotype the root architecture and distribution in seedlings of three maize hybrids (BRS1010, BRS1055 and DKB390) grown under well-watered and water-restricted conditions, during early vegetative growth, comprising six treatments, in a factorial design. The nodal root insertion angle at the first and second coleoptilar nodes and the number of seminal roots, coleoptilar nodes with nodal roots and nodal roots at the first and second coleoptilar nodes were evaluated, as well as the root length density among treatments in the rhizosphere profile. No significant interaction was observed between hybrids and water regimes. The DKB390 hybrid showed the lowest number of coleoptilar nodes with roots, as well as steeper root insertion angles. The root length density decreased with increasing soil depths for all hybrids.

KEYWORDS: Zea mays L., water deficit, root system.

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Published

2025-03-14

How to Cite

CORSATO, C. E.; MOREIRA, S. A. F.; ALVES, P. F. S.; AZEVEDO, A. M. Architecture and distribution of maize roots grown under contrasting water regimes. Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical [Agricultural Research in the Tropics], Goiânia, p. e80906, 2025. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/pat/article/view/80906. Acesso em: 25 mar. 2025.

Issue

v. 55 (2025)

Section

Research Article

License

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