Root Trait Variation in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) Germplasm under Drought Stress

Abstract

Drought is the most critical environmental factor across the continents affecting food security. Roots are the prime organs for water and nutrient uptake. Fine tuning between water uptake, efficient use and loss determines the genotypic response to water limitations. Targeted breeding for root system architecture needs to be explored to improve water use efficiency in legumes. Hence, the present study was designed to explore root system architecture in lentil germplasm in response to drought. A set of 119 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes was screened in controlled conditions to assess the variability in root traits in relation to drought tolerance at seedling stage. We reported significant variation for different root traits in lentil germplasm. Total root length, surface area, root volume and root diameter were correlated to the survival and growth under drought. Among the studied genotypes, the stress tolerance index varied 0.19–1.0 for survival and 0.09–0.90 for biomass. Based on seedling survival and biomass under control and drought conditions, 11 drought tolerant genotypes were identified, which may be investigated further at a physiological and molecular level for the identification of the genes involved in drought tolerance. Identified lines may also be utilised in a lentil breeding program.

Phenotypic variability and SNP markers for root and shoot traits in lentil

“…Earlier several studies also demonstrated that root traits are complex in genetic architecture and many genes/QTLs along with high genotype x environment interactions are involved to control the root traits inheritance (Kumar et al, 2012;Priya et al, 2021).…”

“…Therefore knowledge of genetic variability for root traits can help to breed improved droughttolerant cultivars in lentil. Earlier significant variation for different root traits was observed among several lentil germplasm (Kumar et al, 2012;Priya et al, 2021). However, root traits are complex in genetic architecture, and many genes/ QTLs along with high genotype x environment interactions are involved to control the root trait inheritance.…”

Effects of drought and salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of Elymus nutans

“…When facing drought and salt stress, the organic carbon content of plant leaves and roots is affected to adapt to the impact of environmental water potential changes on plant growth ( Ulrich et al, 2022 ; Dell’Aversana et al, 2021 ; Priya et al, 2021 ). This study indicated that the organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus contents of E. nutans leaves were all affected by the decrease in environmental water potential.…”

Lentil Landrace Seed Origin and Genotype Affects Rhizosphere Microbiome

“…Root morphology could be regulated by environmental conditions, i.e., climate and soil fertility [31][32][33]. Under drought or nutrient-limiting, conditions lentils may develop longer root systems to scavenge available soil moisture or nutrients [34,35]. Considering that all lentil genotypes were cultivated under the same conditions in proximity, the landrace Eglouvis samples, which exhibited a longer root system, could withstand longer drought conditions and tolerate nutrient-poor soils.…”