Root Development at Different Growth Stages of Wheat and Barley Cultivars Grown in Tubes under Field Environmental Conditions

Abstract

This work was conducted to investigate root length and biomass developments at three different growth stages of GS 31 (stem elongation), GS 69 (complete of anthesis) and GS 92 (full grain maturity) of two cultivars for each of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Konya 2002 and Gerek 79), durum wheat (Triticum durum cv. Çeşit 1252 and Kunduru 1149) and barley (Hordeum vulgare conv. distichon cv. Larende and Karatay 94) that were grown under irrigated and non-irrigated field conditions during 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 growing seasons. It was found significant differences for genotype, year and growth stage with regard to root length and biomass. Average root length of cereal genotypes at GS 31, GS 69 and GS 92 reached up to 204.7, 236.1 and 230.3 cm, respectively. According to species, at GS 69 average root length of bread wheat, durum wheat and barley was found 226.0, 237.0 and 227.0 cm, respectively. Barley root was as long as wheat, even barley had larger root system depending on different growth stages than wheat. For bread wheat, durum wheat and barley, 86.5, 77.3 and 92.5% of the root length and 31.9, 37.0 and 33.9% of root biomass were respectively formed up to the stage of stem elongation. The results showed that a considerable part of root length constituted up to GS 31, however that of root biomass was between GS 31 and GS 92. In conclusion, root length and root biomass developments were considerably affected by plant growth stages, genotypes, and environmental conditions.