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Title: VARIABILITY FOR ROOT AND SHOOT TRAITS AND VERTICAL ROOT PULLING RESISTANCE IN A MAIZE POPULATION GROWN IN HYDROPONICS AND IN THE FIELD

Author
item LANDI, P - UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
item GIULIANI, M - UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
item Darrah, Larry
item TUBEROSA, R - UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
item CONTI, S - UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
item SANGUINETI, M - UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA

Submitted to: Maydica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2001
Publication Date: 9/28/2001
Citation: LANDI, P., GIULIANI, M.M., DARRAH, L.L., TUBEROSA, R., CONTI, S., SANGUINETI, M.C. VARIABILITY FOR ROOT AND SHOOT TRAITS IN A MAIZE POPULATION GROWN IN HYDROPONICS AND IN THE FIELD AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH VERTICAL ROOT PULLING RESISTANCE. MAYDICA. 2001. V. 46. P 177-182.

Interpretive Summary: Strength of a corn root system can be estimated by vertical root pulling resistance. However, this measurement is both laborious and destructive. It would be desirable to identify related traits whose measurements are easier and non-destructive. We studied the variability of a corn population for root and shoot traits in hydroponic culture and in the field to evaluate relationships with vertical root pulling resistance. Families derived from the cross of Italian inbred lines Lo964 and Lo1016 were grown with the two parental inbreds in hydroponic culture in Italy and in three field environments in Missouri. In hydroponic culture, significant differences among families occurred for all traits. However, an association was observed only between seminal root weight and shoot weight. In the field, differences among families across environments occurred for all traits. Associations of vertical root pulling resistance vs. both hydroponic and other field traits were biologically negligible even when statistically significant. Despite the large variability available in this population, indirect selection for hydroponic traits would not be of benefit in improving vertical root pulling resistance. This information will be important to corn breeders in their attempts to increase root strength by selecting for related traits and to other plant scientists designing more productive crop plants through classical plant breeding.

Technical Abstract: Strength of a maize (Zea mays L.) root system can be estimated by vertical root pulling resistance. However, this measurement is both laborious and destructive. Hence, it would be desirable to identify related traits whose measurements are easier and non-destructive. Objectives of this research were to study the variability of a population for root and shoot traits in hydroponic culture and in the field and to evaluate their relationships with vertical root pulling resistance. F3 families derived from the single cross Lo964 x Lo1016 were evaluated together with the two parental inbreds in hydroponic culture (171 families) and in three field environments (118 families). In hydroponic culture, differences among F3 families were highly significant for all traits and transgressive segregation was always found. Heritability ranged from 50 to 85%. A statistically significant association was observed only between seminal root weight and shoot weight (r=0.72**). In the field, differences among F3 families across environment were highly significant for all traits and transgressive segregation was always found except for plant height and pollen shedding date. Heritability for vertical root pulling resistance was 72% while for other traits, heritability ranged from 56 to 91%. Associations of vertical root pulling resistance vs. both hydroponic and other field traits were biologically negligible even when statistically significant. It can be concluded that, despite the large variability available in the population, indirect selection for hydroponic traits would not be of benefit in improving vertical root pulling resistance under the field conditions studied.