Diversity in Root Architecture of Durum Wheat at Stem Elongation under Drought Stress

Durum wheat is a major crop in the Mediterranean basin, where water deficit most important factor affecting its production. Under drought conditions, root system has crucial role productivity as and nutrition supplier. The aim of study was to analyze diversity six contrasting durum accessions, including two hydric stress-tolerant genotypes, evaluate traits using high-throughput phenotyping scanner Win-RHIZO order determine main be used breeding programs. Six accessions were subjected events under greenhouse conditions from seedlings stage (BBCH12) for 49 days. Root data validated with results plants grown rainfed field. This highlighted great variability among analyzed genotypes terms development, distribution, architecture difficult environments, underlining good resilience climate change. Interestingly, Cham1 J. Khetifa, showed different ideotypes rooting patterns conditions. late flowering landrace Khetifa (as also genotypes; Pelsodur Vulci) steep long ideotype that led maintaining highest biomass, length, volume while early genotype genotype; Sebatel) distinguished by wider ideotype, increasing topsoil strategy tolerate drought. Moreover, significant positive correlation obtained between angle Our demonstrated screening plant roots stages systems can speed up selection improvement future stress