Root and Shoot Responses of Grafted Soybean to Water Deficit Stress.

Root and shoot responses of grafted soybean to water deficit stress

 

Sulaiman A. Ali and Felix B. Fritschi

Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Abstract

Rooting depths should improve soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] tolerance to water scarcity by increasing water uptake from the deep soil profile. Previous research has reported that there are variations in root elongation rate among various genotypes under controlled conditions. We are trying to determine if genotypic control or variation is located solely in shoot, root or combination of each biomass in the response of rooting growth (depth). We are going to use the grafting technique for two different soybean genotypes (1 fast root elongation rate and 1 slow root elongation rate) under well water and water stress treatments. We will utilize 6” inch in diameter and 5ft long PVC pipes under the rainout shelter for taking root samples in 150cm depth. Data indicate that the genetic control of rooting depth is determined by genes that expressed in the root system and not in the shoot system. Based on that, we can introduce the best technique into a breeding program to develop drought tolerance germplasm and cultivars.