Visualising and Quantifying Cereal Root Responses to Phosphorus

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen macronutrient deficiencies remain a primary constraint to global agricultural production. Expectations for decreasing fertiliser availability and increased food demand provide impetus for improving plant nutrient efficiencies. While significant genetic advances have been made based on plant shoot characteristics, the root system traits have remained largely untargeted in breeding programs. This is largely due to the difficulties in rapidly assessing root system attributes. Since the spatial distribution of the root system (root architecture) determines the edaphic resources available to plants, it is logical to target root architecture in an effort to improve plant nutrient acquisition efficiency. Characteristics such as localised root proliferation in response to high nutrient patches could be improved to increase nutrient capture from point source fertiliser applications.