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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249829

Title: Relationship between root characteristics of peanut in hydroponics and pot studies

Author
item GIRDTHAI, T - Khon Kaen University
item JOGLOY, S - Khon Kaen University
item KESMALA, T - Khon Kaen University
item VORASOOT, N - Khon Kaen University
item AKKASAENG, C - Khon Kaen University
item WONGKAEW, S - Khon Kaen University
item Holbrook, Carl - Corley
item PATANOTHAI, A - Khon Kaen University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2010
Publication Date: 5/1/2010
Citation: Girdthai, T., Jogloy, S., Kesmala, T., Vorasoot, N., Akkasaeng, C., Wongkaew, S., Holbrook Jr, C.C., Patanothai, A. 2010. Relationship between root characteristics of peanut in hydroponics and pot studies. Crop Science. 50:159-167.

Interpretive Summary: A large root system can be an important character for drought tolerance in peanut. Unfortunately, measuring root characteristics in soil is difficult and labor intensive. The objective of this study was to attempt to develop an easier system for measuring root characteristics. Twelve peanut genotypes were planted in a hydroponic study, a small pot, and a large pot experiment. The studies were conducted in two years during 2004-2005. Shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root-to-shoot ratio, root length, root surface, average diameter of roots, and root volume were measured. Root characteristics of peanut genotypes grown in hydroponics were positively correlated with those of peanut genotypes grown in pot conditions. The development of this hydroponic system should be useful in breeding peanut for larger root systems.

Technical Abstract: A large root system can be an important character for drought tolerance. Measuring root characteristics in soil medium is tedious, time consuming, and labor intensive. The objective of this study was to determine the association between root characteristics of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Grown in hydroponics and in pot experiments. Twelve peanut genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replication in a hydroponic study, a small pot, and a large pot experiment. The studies were conducted in two years during 2004-2005. Shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root-to-shoot ratio, root length, root surface, average diameter of roots, and root volume were measured. Tifton-8 and ‘KK 60-3' had consistently higher values for all root characteristics compared to the other genotypes. Root characteristics of peanut genotypes grown in hydroponics were positively correlated with those of peanut genotypes grown in pot conditions. The results suggested that assessment of root characteristics of peanut in hydroponics for possible drought tolerance could replace the assessment in soil medium.