VISITING SPEAKER: Shovelomics - variation of architectural and anatomical root traits

There is an increasing need for higher crop yields and subsequently quantitatively analyses of phenotypic traits such as roots traits and their dynamic responses to the environment is an essential requirement for genetic and physiological research and plant breeding. We characterized variation in architectural and anatomical root traits in a diversity panel of Hordeum vulgare including wildtypes, landraces and modern germplasm. Variation of root architecture and anatomical traits of roots were measured in the field using ‘shovelomics’ and laser ablation tomography. Although the ‘shovelomics’ methodology has been used before to describe root crowns for several crops, this is the first time that this methodology was adapted to study the root crowns of temperate cereals.

We will also hear from Miss Vera Lisa Hecht, JPPC, IBG-2 (plant sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich who will talk about her PhD project on the influence of planting density on root growth and architecture in single plants and in plant clusters.