Canopy Architecture and Leaf Nitrogen Distribution of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Chronic Soil Water Deficit

The development of vertical gradients of specific leaf nitrogen (SLN) in accordance with light gradients within a canopy is important for maximising resource‐use efficiency. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effect of chronic soil water deficit on the SLN gradient in rice. In a series of field experiments, SLN gradients of an indica cultivar and a tropical japonica cultivar were investigated under chronic soil water deficit. As a result, SLN gradient of an indica cultivar tended to be more uniform than that of a tropical japonica cultivar during the recovery period after dry spells under aerobic conditions: an indica cultivar distributed much N in shaded leaves while a japonica cultivar enhanced the SLN in the upper layers. We conclude that vertical gradient of SLN of indica cultivars becomes less optimal for photo‐assimilation under chronic soil water deficit, although they can take‐up sufficient amounts of N. This would be attributable to the rapid increase in tiller number upon rainfall or irrigation and prolonged tillering period for their recovery growth, leading to a more compact canopy architecture. The tillering habit in the current indica irrigated rice cultivars would be associated with the response of SLN gradients to chronic soil water deficit.     

Partial resistance to a Fusarium root disease in Egyptian white lupin landraces

A Fusarium sp. root pathogen of lupin is the causal agent of the most important disease that affects the cultivation of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) in Egypt. The aim of our research was to investigate whether host resistance to Fusariumroot disease was available in Egyptian landraces ofLupinus albus. Five Fusarium isolates collected from white lupin samples in Egypt were tested with an Egyptian landrace and a French cultivar. The most aggressive isolate was used to screen an additional 15 Egyptian landraces, two cultivars released in Egypt after selection among landraces, one Polish cultivar, and two French cultivars. The assessment of host response to Fusarium was performed in a field, and under controlled conditions in a greenhouse pot experiment. Most landraces and the two Egyptian cultivars showed better resistance with good accordance between field and pot experiment. This experiment showed that Egyptian genetic resources of white lupin possess partial resistance to Fusarium root rot. Egyptian germplasm may be an alternative genetic source for incorporating partial resistance to Fusarium root rot into the breeding pools. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Wild Oryza species as potential sources of drought-adaptive traits

Wild species of Oryza may serve as sources of superior drought tolerance alleles for cultivated rice. In a series of three screenhouse experiments, we compared traits associated with leaf water status, stomatal conductance, membrane stability, and root development in several wild Oryza accessions and O. sativa cultivars, when grown under well-watered or water-deficient conditions. One accession of O. longistaminata had greater stomatal conductance under stress and maintained leaf elongation better under stress than most other genotypes. Several upland-rice cultivars from the japonica subspecies also maintained greater conductance and leaf expansion than an indica cultivar or O. rufipogon accessions. Leaves of an accession of O. latifolia were particularly sensitive to water deficit. Oryza longistaminata and several O. rufipogon accessions had greater membrane stability, measured as electrolyte leakage from leaf disks after heat treatment, than cultivated rice. Drought treatments tended to reduce the levels of electrolyte leakage observed. Wild species had levels of osmotic adjustment under stress that were similar to O. sativa. Entries differed in the growth of roots with water deficit:O. longistaminata accessions and some japonica cultivars showed either an increase in total root mass or an increase in the proportion of root mass in deeper soil levels when water deficit was imposed, whereas indica cultivars and O. rufipogon accessions did not. Changes in root mass and distribution were correlated with values of stomatal conductance and leaf elongation; this suggests that leaf measurements made at key times in the drying cycle may reveal possible genetic differences in rooting behavior, which are otherwise difficult to measure. These studies indicate that O. longistaminata and O. rufipogon may serve as sources of novel alleles for improved leaf traits under drought stress–specifically, for maintenance of leaf elongation, stomatal conductance, and membrane stability. Alleles for improved root growth and distribution under water deficit exist in some japonica rice cultivars.     

Constitutive expression of Cry proteins in roots and border cells of transgenic cotton

Transgenic cotton plants expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), provide effective control of certain lepidopteran pests, however, little is known about the proteins below ground expression. We used ELISA to quantify in vitro expression of the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins in mucilage, root border cells and root tips in five transgenic cultivars of cotton compared to conventional cultivar Sicot 189. Expression of Cry proteins in roots and border cells of the transgenic cotton cultivars was constitutive and at detectable levels, with Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab protein expression ranging from <20 ppb to >100 pbb. To determine if genetically modified cotton demonstrated simple differences in properties of the root, when compared to an elite parental line (cv. Sicot 189), we enumerated border cells on seedling radicles. Border cell counts of 14 cultivars ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 × 10⁴ cells per root tip with an average of 5 × 10³ border cells. Border cell production in the transgenic cultivars was generally similar to that of both donor and elite parents, the exception being the cultivar Sicot 189, which had substantially more border cells than all of its transgenic derivatives. Comparison of border cell number with varietal disease resistance ranking found a limited relationship (r ² = 0.65, n = 7) between border cell numbers and the commercial resistance rank against Fusarium wilt of cotton. The implications of differences in cotton cultivar border cell number and root tip expression of Cry proteins for plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere and the soil ecosystem are yet to be resolved.     

The phylogenetic relationship between different Cichorium intybus cultivars and cultivar groups, as revealed by RAPDs

The phylogenetic relationship between different Cichorium intybus cultivars and cultivar groups was studied. A total of 127 random amplified polymorphic DNA markers have been used to distinguish between 51 Cichorium intybus cultivars belonging to three different cultivar groups. A principal component analysis was performed on the complete data set and a clear grouping of chicory cultivar groups was observed. The three chicory groups tested (root chicory, witloof and pain de sucre) were separated from one another in the principal component plots. The first two axes accounted for 43.9% of the total variation. Although the chicory used in traditional forcing in soil and the red chicory cultivars were related more to each other and to the chicory cultivars from the witloof group, they still formed separate groups in the principal component plot.     

Genetic Variability in Phosphorus Acquisition and Utilization Efficiency from Sparingly Soluble P-Sources by Brassica Cultivars under P-Stress Environment

Plants display an array of classical strategies to maximize phosphate (Pi) acquisition from sparingly soluble P sources. Acclimation to Pi-stress via elegant Pi-starvation induced (PSI) adjustments would reduce our current overreliance on expensive, polluting and non-renewable Pi-fertilizers. Nevertheless, differences in the ability of various species to solubilize sparingly soluble P-sources have been often evidenced; inter-cultivar variations are scarcely documented. Brassica is known as an effective, non-mycorrhizal user of sparingly soluble P-sources. Various growth parameters and biomass accumulation by genetically diverse Brassica cultivars were determined in four experiments using hydroponics and quartz sand culture media. Role of PSI root mediated pH changes, organic anions (OAs) exudation and altered root architecture in mobilization and acquisition of sparingly soluble P-forms [Jordan rock-P (RP) at 2 g l⁻¹ and Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (TCP) at 0.2 g l⁻¹ respectively] was investigated. Cultivars showed considerable genetic variations in biomass accumulation, various growth parameters and root–shoot ratio. Concentration and total uptake of P, specific absorption rate of P, P-transport rate and P-utilization efficiency (PUE) were also significantly (P < 0.001) different for various cultivars and their dry matter was significantly correlated with P-uptake [r = 0.94** (significant at 1% level)]. P-tolerant cultivars showed substantial decrease in solution media pH because of H⁺ efflux and exuded more carboxylates than low P-sensitive cultivars under P-starvation. P-uptake by cultivars increased linearly with decreasing pH. The amount and types of OAs exuded from the roots of P-starved plants differed from those of plants grown under P-sufficient environment. In split pot study, with TCP and RP supplied spatially separated from other nutrients, efficient cultivars were still able to mobilize RP and TCP more efficiently than inefficient cultivars. In rhizobox study, the elongation rates of primary roots decreased but the elongation rates of the branched zones of primary roots and the length of lateral roots increased under P-starvation. Tested cultivars showed genetic diversity in accessing, mobilization, acquisition and utilization of Pi from sparingly soluble P forms. An arrange marriage of plant traits can explain cultivar’s access to different forms of sparingly soluble P, and in addition to altered lateral root topology and enhanced P-uptake and PUE, enhanced H⁺ efflux and OAs exudation are key factors in Pi scavenging from extra cellular sparingly soluble P-forms.     

Salt‐Induced Regulation of Some Key Antioxidant Enzymes and Physio‐Biochemical Phenomena in Five Diverse Cultivars of Turnip (Brassica rapa L.)

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to examine the differential morpho‐physiological responses of five cultivars of turnip (Brassica rapa L.) to salt stress. Five diverse cultivars of turnip (shaljum desi surakh, shaljum purple top, shaljum golden bal, neela shaljum, and peela shaljum) were subjected for 6 weeks to varying levels of NaCl, i.e. 0, 80 and 160 mm in Hoagland’s nutrient solution in sand culture. Imposition of varying levels of salt substantially decreased shoot and root fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll contents, leaf osmotic potential, relative water contents, different gas exchange attributes, total phenolics, malondialdehyde, activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase catalase, and leaf and root K⁺ levels while enhanced the proline contents, membrane permeability, level of H₂O₂, leaf and root Na⁺ and Cl^? and leaf Ca²⁺ in all turnip cultivars under study. Of all cultivars, peela shaljum and neela shaljum were consistently higher in their growth than the other turnip cultivars at all salt concentrations of the growth medium. Photosynthetic capacity (A) and stomatal conductance (g_s) were higher in high biomass‐producing cultivars, i.e. peela shaljum and neela shaljum, which provide to be potential selection criteria of salt tolerance in turnip. However, the regulation of antioxidant system was cultivar‐specific under saline conditions.     

长江中下游小麦品种根系改良特征及其与产量的关系

为探明小麦品种更替过程中根系改良特征对氮肥的响应及其与产量形成的关系,从而为高产品种选育及根冠构型建成提供理论依据。本研究以长江中下游不同年代大面积推广的代表性小麦品种南大2419、扬麦1号、扬麦158和扬麦16为材料,采用大田和盆栽试验,研究了3个施氮水平(纯氮0、225和300 kg hm–2)下小麦根系形态与生理特性的差异及其与产量的关系。结果表明,小麦籽粒产量随品种育成年代推进逐步增加,现代品种对施氮的响应较早期品种大。现代小麦品种拔节至开花阶段根系干物质积累量和生长速率显著高于早期品种,而播种至拔节期早期品种的根系生长在无氮条件下具有较强的生长优势。小麦根系总根长、表面积、根体积、0~60 cm土层根重密度、根系活力和SOD活性随品种育成年代逐步提高,而MDA含量显著降低。增施氮肥促进了不同年代品种根系生长,但现代品种增幅较早期品种大,说明品种改良提高了小麦根系对氮肥的响应。籽粒产量与开花期根系总根长、表面积、根系生物量和0~60 cm根重密度呈显著正相关。因此,增加根系与土壤接触面积和高氮适应性、提高根系生理活性、延缓根系衰老是长江中下游小麦品种演变的重要特征也是高产高效栽培调控的重要目标。     

Differential root responses in two cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to elevated ozone concentration under fully open‐air field conditions

The effect of elevated tropospheric ozone concentration [O₃] on root processes in wheat systems of different O₃ sensitivity is not well understood. Two wheat cultivars (cv. Y15 and YN19) with contrasting O₃ tolerance were grown in a fully open‐air O₃ enrichment platform for one season. We found that elevated O₃ (EO₃) (50% above the ambient O₃) significantly decreased the total biomass at all key growth stages and the yield of the O₃‐sensitive cultivar YN19 but did not affect those of the O₃‐tolerant cultivar Y15. EO₃ significantly decreased the root biomass of two wheat cultivars at the jointing and grain‐filling stages. EO₃ significantly decreased the root length, length density, surface area and volume of the two cultivars at the jointing stage but increased those of YN19 at the grain‐filling stage. EO₃ significantly increased the root activities (specific root respiration rates) of Y15 and YN19 at the jointing, heading and grain‐filling stages. EO₃ significantly decreased the contribution of fresh root respiration to soil respiration (CRS) of YN19 at the jointing stage but increased it at the heading stage; however, it did not change the CRS of Y15 at any growth stages. This study indicates that the effects of EO₃ on root morphology and activity varied among wheat cultivars, and suggest that we can breed O₃‐tolerant cultivars to maintain crop yield under higher [O₃] scenarios.     

DROUGHT STRESS: Soil Water Availability Alters the Inter‐ and Intra‐Cultivar Competition of Three Spring Wheat Cultivars Bred in Different Eras

Competition for water generates a classic aspect of the tragedy of the commons, the ‘race for fish’, where crops must allocate more resource to acquisition of the limiting resource than is optimal for crop yield allocation. A pot experiment using a simple additive (target–neighbour) design was conducted to examine the above‐ground and below‐ground growth of three spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars when grown alone and in mixtures at three levels of water availability. The effects of competition and water availability were compared by observing patterns of growth, biomass allocation and below‐ground outcomes. Competitive interactions were investigated among cultivars ‘HST’, ‘GY602’ and ‘LC8275’, target plant of each cultivar grown without neighbouring plants are referred to herein as control plant and one target plant of each cultivar sown surrounded either by same or another cultivar as intra‐ or inter‐cultivar competition. Competitive ability was assessed as the response ratio (lnRR) between the target plant surrounded by six other plants and the target plant in isolation. Our results showed that the cultivar ‘HST’, released over a century ago, produced a higher biomass and grain yield than the more recently released cultivars ‘LC8275’ and ‘GY602’ when grown as isolated plants with sufficient water supply. However, competition for resources from neighbours led to target plant biomass and grain yield being significantly reduced relative to controls in all three cultivars, particularly in ‘HST’. When subjected to intra‐cultivar competition, the two recently released cultivars ‘LC8275’ and ‘GY602’ had higher grain yields and water use efficiency for grain than ‘HST’ in all three water regimes. The landrace ‘HST’ had better and significantly linear relationships between biomass and biomass allocation, root length and specific root length, whereas the recent and modern cultivars had much more water‐related species‐specific changes in root morphology and allocation patterns. These results suggest that crop traits that influence competitive ability, such as biomass allocation to roots and root plasticity in response to drought have changed in modern wheat cultivars because of breeding and selection.     

Cultivar × rhizobial strain interactions in peas with respect to early symbiosis, nodule initiation and N uptake

Sixteen pea cultivars differing in their phenotypic characteristics were studied in order to characterize the cultivars' variability in symbiotic characters using three Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae strains. The peas did not show any cultivar × strain interactions with the rhizobial strains used with respect to root hair infection frequency or day of nodule initiation. Three cultivars had high root hair infection frequencies, and five had only a few infected root hairs. Four of five leafless/semi-leafless varieties investigated and one cultivar with normal leaves formed nodules quickly, whereas three varieties with normal leaves formed nodules slowly. Ten of the cultivars showed cultivar × strain interactions with respect to N uptake, indicating that the performance of the N2-fixing symbioses depends on the rhizobial partner. Six cultivars showed cultivar × strain interactions with respect to dry matter production and the nodule proportion of the dry matter. Of the cultivars investigated, we conclude that some of the leafless/semi-leafless varieties (‘Capella’, ‘Filby’ and ‘Solara’) are suitable for inclusion in a future breeding programme, since these cultivars combined several important symbiotic characters.     

The expression of resistance of subterranean clover cultivars to races of Phytophthora clandestina

Infection and sporulation of races of Phytophthora clandestina in susceptible and resistant cultivars of subterranean clover and the effect of the races on growth of the cultivars in pots were studied using a total of five races of the pathogen and eight host cultivars. The pathogen caused severe disease where races and cultivars were compatible, although a significant reduction in root and shoot dry weight occurred only on Woogenellup inoculated with race 2. There was little increase in disease severity after 1 wk from the time of inoculation. Sporangia and oospores were formed at high frequency in tap and lateral roots in all compatible combinations, except in Woogenellup in which sporangia were produced inconsistently. The pathogen caused negligible disease and produced very few sporangia in incompatible combinations. Plant age had a strong effect on disease development. Disease severity caused by virulent races on cultivars Gosse, Trikkala, Meteora and Woogenellup was less on older than on younger plants. A further experiment using aggressive isolates of races 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 revealed that cultivar Gosse showed no reduction in root and shoot weight, despite it being susceptible to races 1, 3 and 4. This provided evidence of the existence of race-non-specific or horizontal resistance to P. clandestina in cultivar Gosse. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genotypic differences in callus formation and regeneration of somatic embryos in Cyclamen persicum Mill

This study was performed in order to check the applicability of a protocol for somatic embryogenesis in Cyclamen persicum and to compare the in vitro response of cultivars belonging to different cyclamen growth types and flower colours obtained from two breeders. One hundred ovules per plant were prepared from 32 tested F₁ hybrid cultivars represented by five plants each. Callus induction monitored after 8 weeks varied between 42 and 85%. Variation occurred between replications and single plants of a cultivar. Consistency and colour of the developing calluses were diverse. Only in 1 cultivar out of the 32 tested no regeneration of somatic embryos was obtained. The regeneration rates varied from 0 to 65% among cultivars. In the group of midi-type cultivars the regeneration response was lower than that in mini and giganteum types. High regeneration rates were observed in cultivars with flamed flowers.     

Soil urease and catalase responses to ozone pollution are affected by the ozone sensitivity of wheat cultivars

Understanding the effects of elevated O₃ (EO₃) on belowground process such as soil enzyme activities is essential to evaluate plant physiological reaction and soil processes (e.g. carbon and nitrogen turnover) under predicted increases in atmospheric O₃. In this study, O₃‐induced changes in soil urease (UA) and catalase activities (CTA) under two contrasting wheat cultivars (O₃‐sensitive versus O₃‐tolerant) were investigated using a free‐air O₃ enrichment (O₃FACE) facility in China. EO₃ (60 ppb compared with 40 ppb in ambient O₃) generally increased UA under the O₃‐tolerant cultivar but reduced it under the O₃‐sensitive cultivar for different soil depths and growth stages. In contrast, the effects of EO₃ on CTA were not consistent and varied with soil depths and growth stages. These results suggest that the O₃ sensitivity of wheat cultivars plays an important role in determining the effects of EO₃ on soil enzyme activities. The contrasting responses of soil UA and CTA to EO₃ may alter the effect of projected increase in tropospheric O₃ on soil carbon and nitrogen turnover.     

Selection of cereals for weed suppression in organic agriculture: a method based on cultivar sensitivity to weed growth

Cereal cultivars conferring a high degree of crop competitive ability, especially against aggressive weeds, are highly beneficial in organic farming as well as other farming systems that aim to limit the use of herbicides. In this study, thirteen winter wheat cultivars, plus one spring wheat and one winter oat were assessed for their competitive ability at key growth stages, across three seasons. The natural population of weed species was allowed develop without agronomic intervention. Weed suppression ability for each cultivar (S _var) was calculated as the difference between weed growth in plots for each cultivar and the maximal weed growth (W _max) from adjacent uncropped areas. The sensitivity of S _var in response to changes in weed growth (S _var^W) was derived from the linear regression coefficient of S _var plotted against W _max. There was significant variation in S _var between cultivars and strong evidence for cultivars to vary in S _var^W. Amongst groups of cultivars with similar levels of S _var some could be defined as being of higher or lower sensitivity to changes in weed growth. Some cultivars also had relatively good S _var at high levels of weed growth. The use of both weed suppression ability and sensitivity across different levels of weed growth or weed populations has considerable potential for selecting new cultivars suitable for organic agriculture. Ideally new cultivars will be selected on the basis of high S _var and/or low S _var^W. This analysis provides the means to measure sensitivity of cultivar performance across a range of favourable and unfavourable conditions.     

Root development in agronomically distinct six‐rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense Sp7

The growth‐promoting rhizobacteria Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 positively affects many crops, but its influence on barley remains to be fully investigated. The aim of this study was to track early root growth of four barley cultivars that are widely used in Spanish breeding programmes under different growing scenarios. Different growth conditions are hypothesized to affect the response of young plants to A. brasilense Sp7, so seeds were inoculated with A. brasilense Sp7 and directly sown in the growth chamber, or planted in vitro. Plant height was measured and root structure analysed with the WinRHIZO program. Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 inoculation increased the length, surface area and number of root tips in both systems and in most cultivars in a similar way. Cultivars ‘Barberousse’ and ‘Plaisant’ were the most responsive to A. brasilense Sp7 treatment, while ‘Albacete’ was especially interesting in terms of its physiological interaction with A. brasilense Sp7 under abiotic stress imposed by the in vitro system. The utility of the in vitro system is criticized.     

Divergent strategies displayed by potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars to cope with soil drought

The physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) cultivars to soil drought at the tuberization phase and their impact on agronomically important traits were investigated in potted plants under semi‐controlled conditions. Genotype‐dependent responses of potato to water deficiency were evaluated on two pairs (tolerant/sensitive) of Polish cultivars. Each pair of cultivars had a similar genetic background but was extremely different in terms of drought tolerance evaluated on the basis of loss of tuber yield under field conditions. The results clearly indicate different mechanisms of tolerance to water deficiency and the ability to recover from soil drought in two tolerant but genetically unrelated cultivars. When subjected to soil drought, the cultivar Gwiazda had low rates of transpiration and photosynthesis and low levels of stomatal conductance due to hypersensitivity to ABA, but its maximal photochemistry efficiency and PSII performance index were unchanged. Another strategy was displayed by the dehydration‐avoidant cultivar Tajfun, which kept the stomata partially open. Thus, the plants were able to retain a relatively high rate of photosynthesis over transpiration. The parameters measured for cultivar Tajfun for photosynthesis and transpiration were the same after plant rewatering, similar to the control plants. This was not the case for the cultivar Gwiazda. The ability of plants to regenerate after soil drought relief appears to be a good indicator of potato susceptibility to soil drought and allows the yield of potato tubers to be predicted. The physiological traits identified in closely related potato cultivars but differed in their drought tolerance seem to be useful for genetic engineering and breeding programmes.     

Variation of resistance to broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) in tomatoes

Summary Twenty five tomato cultivars and one accession of wild tomato were evaluated for their resistance to branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) infestation. Tomato cultivars were found different in their resistance to Orobanche based on different growth parameters. Total Orobanche number, haustoria development and number of emerged Orobanche shoots were all different between tomato cultivars. Differences in the growth and fruit yield among tomato cultivars were also found in response to Orobanche infestation. Ranking tomato cultivars for Orobanche resistance indicates the existence of different resistance mechanisms in these cultivars. Relatively high to moderate levels of resistance were obtained in Tiny Tim, Acora, Castler, Pomodora, Orient, Red Alert and the accession LA 1478 of L. pimpinellifolium. The cultivar Tiny Tim showed the highest level of resistance for all measured parameters and in all experiments.     

Screening techniques and improved biological nitrogen fixation in cool season food legumes

Dinitrogen fixation and legume productivity are greatly influenced through the interactions of legume host, Rhizobium, and the above- and below-ground environment. The benefits of improving legume N₂ fixation include reduced reliance on soil N, leading to more sustainable agricultural systems and reduced requirements for fertilizer N, enhanced residual benefits to subsequent crops, and increased legume crop yields. Most of the gains in N₂ fixation to date have been derived from management of legume cropping systems and through inoculation of legume seed with competitive and symbiotically effective rhizobia. Further gains are possible by developing plant cultivars with tolerance to soil abiotic factors, increased plant yield, and a broader and more effective matching of plant host and rhizobia. Techniques for screening material for superior N₂ fixation and examples of programs to increase fixed N, with attention to the major abiotic stresses, are discussed.     

Resistance to melon vine decline derived from Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis: genetic analysis of root structure and root response

Melon vine decline is a major soilborne disease that causes severe economic losses around the world. The fungal pathogens Monosporascus cannonballus Pollack et Uecker and Acremonium cucurbitacearum Alfaro‐García, W. Gams et J. García‐Jiménez have been reported as the main causal agents of this disease. A relatively high level of resistance has been reported in Cucumis melo L. ssp. agrestis (Naud.) Pangalo in the Asiatic accession Pat 81. Although specific resistance mechanisms controlling pathogen‐induced root lesions have been characterized in Pat 81, the development of a vigorous and branched root system can also appreciably increase its tolerance to vine collapse. The genetics of root traits related to root vigour and structure were studied in the progeny derived from a cross between Pat 81 and the highly susceptible cultivar ‘Piñonet’ market class ‘Piel de Sapo’(C. melo L. ssp. melo). The inheritance of specific resistance to soilborne fungi was also studied by analysing root response to inoculation employing naturally infested soil. Estimates of the broad‐(H) and narrow‐sense (h²) heritabilities indicated that the majority of the variation for lesion resistance in lateral and fine roots, in the root weight, root length, and the root surface area could be explained by additive effects, whereas dominance is important in plant biomass and resistance to lesions in hypocotyls. Selection for improved root systems conferring resistance and tolerance to vine decline was successfully conducted in BC₁ progeny derived from a Pat 81 בPiñonet’ mating. Moderate values of heritabilities (0.03–0.76) suggest that breeding strategies that combine family and individual selection could enhance genetic progress. As some of the traits analysed exhibited heterosis, breeding methods directed towards recovering hybrid vigour may increase gain from selection.