title: Root Morphology Was Improved in a Late-Stage Vigor Super Rice Cultivar.
abstract: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that root morphology might be improved and consequently contributing to superior post-heading shoot growth and grain yield in late-stage vigor super rice. A pot experiment was carried out to compare yield attributes, shoot growth and physiological properties and root morphological traits between a late-stage vigor super rice cultivar (Y-liangyou 087) and an elite rice cultivar (Teyou 838). Grain yield and total shoot biomass were 7-9% higher in Y-liangyou 087 than in Teyou 838. Y-liangyou 087 had 60-64% higher post-heading shoot growth rate and biomass production than Teyou 838. Average relative chlorophyll concentration and net photosynthetic rate in flag leaves were 7-11% higher in Y-liangyou 087 than in Teyou 838 during heading to 25 days after heading. Y-liangyou 087 had 41% higher post-heading shoot N uptake but 17-25% lower root biomass and root-shoot ratio at heading and maturity than Teyou 838. Specific root length and length and surface area of fine roots were higher in Y-liangyou 087 than in Teyou 838 at heading and maturity by more than 15%. These results indicated that root-shoot relationships were well balanced during post-heading phase in the late-stage vigor super rice cultivar Y-liangyou 087 by improving root morphology including avoiding a too great root biomass and developing a large fine root system.
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Innovation Center of Grain and Oil Crops in South China, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Innovation Center of Grain and Oil Crops in South China, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Jiana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Innovation Center of Grain and Oil Crops in South China, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Fangbo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Innovation Center of Grain and Oil Crops in South China, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.|Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming System, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
authors.forename: Ligeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Innovation Center of Grain and Oil Crops in South China, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Yingbin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D018533:Biomass; D002681:China; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000737:chemistry; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000502:physiology*; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002734:Chlorophyll