Comparative Evaluation of Wheat Cultivars for Root Architecture Traits Based on Rhizo-Vision Explorer Measurement Under Water Stress

Abstract

Description: Background: Water scarcity severely threatens wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in arid and semi-arid regions like Pakistan, requiring the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. Root System Architecture (RSA) is critical for drought tolerance, yet evaluating these "hidden half" traits has traditionally been limited by destructive, time-consuming field methods. Objective: This study comparatively evaluates the RSA and drought adaptability of four prominent wheat cultivars—Akbar-19, Fakhar-e-Bhakkar-19, Dilkash-19, and CN3—under varying water stress conditions. Methodology: The experiment was conducted in a controlled rhizobox setup at the speed breeding facility of CSI-NARC, Islamabad. Four cultivars were exposed to three irrigation levels ($100\%$, $75\%$, and $50\%$ field capacity). Digital root phenotyping was performed using the open-source software Rhizo Vision Explorer to evaluate 2D scanned images for traits including total root length, root diameter, volume, surface area, and branching frequency. Key Findings: The analysis revealed distinct genotypic strategies for drought adaptation. CN-3 (G2) emerged as highly promising for water-limited environments, demonstrating the highest relative water content (RWC) stability ($71.27\%$), thickest root profiles ($7.95\text{ mm}$), and largest root volume ($1,773.2\text{ mm}^3$). Dilkash-19 (G3) showed strong structural stability with a consistent root length ($160.33\text{ mm}$), while Fakhar-E-Bhakkar-19 (G4) excelled in root surface area ($2,145.8\text{ mm}^2$) and root tip density ($958.99\text{ tips}$), signaling high potential for nutrient foraging. Conversely, Akbar-19 (G1) displayed lower adaptability due to lower RWC and limited root volume. Significance: This research bridges the gap between digital phenotyping platforms and traditional breeding practices. It identifies vital genetic donors like CN3 and Dilkash-19 for breeding programs targeting drought tolerance, offering practical pathways to sustain wheat productivity and strengthen food security under changing climatic conditions.

Plant phenotyping relevance

Rhizo Vision Explorerによるデジタル根系表現型計測が研究の主要な方法として明示され、根長・径・体積・表面積・分枝などの植物形質を抽出しているため。

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