Genotypic variation and selection of traits related to forage yield in tall fescue under irrigated and drought stress environments

Development of a standard evaluation protocol has been a pressing problem for the selection of drought‐resistant genotypes of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). This study was conducted to evaluate the association of forage yield with specific phenological and morphological traits to find a proper model for indirect selection under irrigated (normal) and drought‐stress conditions in tall fescue. A random sample of seventy‐five genotypes were clonally propagated and evaluated in normal and drought‐stress environments in the field during 2009 and 2010. Results showed that water stress had a negative effect on forage yield and most of the morphological traits measured and reduced genotypic variation for most of them. Forage yield had the highest genotypic variation, whereas days to pollination had the lowest variation. Low broad‐sense heritability estimates were obtained for dry‐matter yield, but heritability for the traits of number of stems per plant, plant height and crown diameter was moderately high. These traits were identified as the main components of forage yield. The importance of these components and their direct and indirect effects on forage yield was different in normal and drought‐stress conditions. This suggests that indirect selection for developing high‐yielding, drought‐tolerant varieties should be performed under drought‐stress conditions with a specific model.     

盐胁迫下益生菌对玉米的促生效应研究

为提高盐渍化农田作物的耐盐性,从生长于高盐土壤的玉米根际中分离促生潜力的菌株,在NaCl胁迫下,测定其对玉米发芽率、发芽势、促生长和电导率的影响。结果表明,枯草芽孢杆菌NY-06、巨大芽孢杆菌YJ-1和解淀粉芽孢杆菌YJ-3有很好益生效果。在1.5%NaCl和2.0%NaCl胁迫下,3个菌株发酵液处理后的玉米株高分别增高16.3%、9.5%、16.7%和18.9%、8.3%、19.9%,地上部鲜重分别增加28.8%、21.5%、34.0%和29.3%、22.8%、36.3%,根系鲜重分别增加32.7%、15.5%、18.3%和51.9%、58.6%、56.8%,玉米叶片相对电导率分别降低11.1%、9.2%、8.0%和6.4%、9.5%、14.2%。     

ZmLTP3 基因提高转基因拟南芥抗盐性的研究

通过RT-PCR方法从玉米中克隆了一个拟南芥LTP3 的同源基因,并命名为ZmLTP3。RT-PCR分析发现,ZmLTP3 的表达可以被多种生物和非生物胁迫因子所诱导。通过构建植物表达载体,把ZmLTP3 的全长cDNA转化到拟南芥中,以野生型为对照,检测转ZmLTP3 基因纯合体株系的抗盐性。结果表明,在盐胁迫条件下,转基因拟南芥生长状况较好,植株鲜重、干重、种子产量以及脯氨酸含量显著高于野生型株系,丙二醛含量和外渗电导率显著低于野生型株系,转基因拟南芥提高了抗盐性。     

盐胁迫对不同水稻品种光合特性和生理生化特性的影响

 用2个耐盐水稻品种和2个盐敏感型水稻品种为材料,研究盐胁迫对水稻植株生物量积累、光合特性等生理特性的影响。结果表明,在盐胁迫条件下,耐盐水稻品种和盐敏感型水稻品种地上和根系的干鲜质量均呈下降趋势,其中,以盐敏感型水稻品种的地上部鲜质量与根系干质量的下降最为显著。盐胁迫条件下,水稻叶片的净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、蒸腾作用（Tr）和表观叶肉导度（AMC）均呈不同程度的下降趋势。其中,耐盐水稻品种Pn、Gs、Tr和Pn/Ci的下降均低于盐敏感型水稻品种。同时,耐盐品种水分利用效率（WUE）也高于盐敏感型品种。盐胁迫条件下,耐盐水稻品种和盐敏感型水稻品种的胞间二氧化碳浓度（Ci）变化并不明显,气孔限制百分率（Ls）均较低,品种间差异也不显著,而表观叶肉导度显著下降,由此推测盐胁迫条件下Pn的下降并非因为气孔的限制,而与RuBPCase活性的下降有关。盐胁迫条件下水稻叶片和根系的渗透性调节物质脯氨酸、总氨基酸和可溶性糖含量上升,其中以可溶性糖含量上升最为显著（P＜0.01）。盐胁迫下叶片保护酶SOD、POD和CAT活性增强,膜透性增强,丙二醛含量增加,同时,根系活力下降。     

盐胁迫对小麦根系氧化损伤及细胞程序性死亡的影响

为探究小麦根系响应盐胁迫逆境的生理机制,以耐盐性不同的三个春小麦品种新春11号(高耐)、新春29号(中耐)和新春6号(盐敏感)为材料,分析300 mmol·L~(-1)NaCl胁迫对耐盐性不同的小麦品种根系生长、活性氧含量、抗氧化酶活性及细胞程序性死亡的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,盐胁迫下三个品种根长显著下降,根系干、鲜重均呈下降趋势,新春11号和新春29号变化幅度较小,而新春6号变化幅度相对较大;根尖中超氧阴离子产生速率保持增长趋势,耐盐性强的品种上升速率慢于耐盐性弱的品种,过氧化氢含量先增后降,最后与对照基本相同。超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性均在盐胁迫初期快速上升,胁迫30min后开始下降。SOD活性在耐盐性强的小麦品种中显著升高,而APX活性在耐盐性弱的品种中则显著升高。Evans Blue染色结果发现,随着盐胁迫时间的增加,死亡细胞数目逐渐增多。聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳显示,盐胁迫4h后即可检测到DNA片段化的发生,表明NaCl胁迫对小麦造成氧化损伤,诱导小麦根尖发生细胞程序性死亡。     

蚓粪对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

为明确添加蚓粪对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗生长及光合特性的影响机理,通过向基质中分别添加10%、20%、40%（苗死亡）比例的蚓粪,同时设不添加蚓粪的单盐胁迫处理和空白对照处理（CK）,分析了添加蚓粪后盐胁迫（150 mmol·L^-1 NaCl）下小麦生长指标（叶长、叶宽、叶面积,地上和地下部干重、根冠比）、气体交换参数及光合色素含量的变化。结果表明,盐胁迫下小麦幼苗各生长指标与CK相比略有下降,但差异不显著。添加蚓粪后,小麦幼苗叶长、叶宽、叶面积、地上部分干重、总干重以及叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总含量及类胡萝卜素含量较未添加蚓粪处理均呈明显的上升趋势,而根冠比则呈下降的趋势。添加蚓粪对盐胁迫下小麦叶片气体交换也产生了显著的影响。盐胁迫下,小麦叶片净光合速率显著低于CK,但添加蚓粪后,净光合速率呈明显的上升趋势。这说明基质中添加适量蚓粪可以有效促进小麦幼苗生长和光合作用。     

Malondialdehyde content as a potential biochemical indicator of tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes under heat stress treatment

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is an important forage grass in arid and semiarid regions. As part of a genetic improvement programme, four genotypes [Biloela (Bl), Americana (Am), Texas (Tx) and Sexual (Sx)] were categorized by tolerance to heat stress in a greenhouse experiment. At 30 d after sowing, half of the plants (control plants) were transferred to growth chambers (28°C day per night), and the other half (pre‐treated plants, Prt) were exposed to heat stress treatment (0, 24, 48 and 72 h; 45°C day per night). Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, an indicator of oxidative damage, was determined from foliar samples. During heat stress, Sx showed the earliest increase in MDA (at 24 h) followed by Tx (48 h) and Am and Bl (72 h). Results were compared with heat‐stress tolerance evaluated as morphological traits at the end of recuperation (60 d after sowing). Fresh weight and aerial plant height were lowest in the Prt‐Sx genotype and highest in Am and Bl genotypes; Tx showed intermediate tolerance. Results suggest that tolerance to heat stress in C. ciliaris genotypes could be related to the capacity for regulating the oxidative damage increase. Foliar MDA content might therefore be used in a genetic improvement programme of C. ciliaris as a potential biochemical indicator for a rapid, simple and low‐cost identification of heat‐stress tolerant genotypes.     

耐盐促生菌筛选、鉴定及对盐胁迫小麦的效应

为利用盐碱地微生物促进植物适应盐逆境,从新疆玛纳斯河流域盐碱土壤中分离筛选出的耐盐菌株中,通过测定菌株生长特性及产吲哚乙酸(IAA)、铁载体、溶磷、固氮能力,得到1株耐盐高效促生菌株wp-8;结合形态观察、生理生化及16S rDNA鉴定了其种类;采用室内盆栽试验检测了其对盐胁迫小麦的效应。结果表明,菌株wp-8最适生长温度为30℃,最适生长pH为9,最适生长盐度为5%,吲哚乙酸分泌量为15.90 mg·L~(-1),铁载体相对含量为0.68,溶有机磷及无机磷量分别为0.34 mg·L~(-1)和1.10 mg·L~(-1);鉴定该菌为Nesterenkonia rhizosphaerae。在150 mmol·L~(-1)NaCl胁迫下,小麦种子接种wp-8生长50 d后,与对照相比,小麦株高、根长及根鲜重显著增加(P0.05),增长率分别为9.35%、27.15%、150%;单株鲜重也有所增加,但差异不显著;小麦幼苗根部丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P0.05),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及叶片脯氨酸(Pro)含量显著增加,分别较对照增加160.63%、30.41%、44.93%、10.04%。说明菌株wp-8可缓解小麦盐胁迫并促进幼苗生长,尤其促进小麦根系的发育。     

Variability in salt tolerance of native populations of Elymus scabrifolius (Döll) J. H. Hunz from Argentina

Elymus scabrifolius is a native C3 South American grass species. It is valued as forage species adapted to various environments in Argentina and is also a potential source of traits for wheat‐breeding programmes. Efficient utilization of native genetic resources requires extensive collection and characterization of available material. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize variability in salt tolerance within E. scabrifolius populations in Argentina. Specimens of E. scabrifolius were collected from a wide range of soils in Argentina, and most populations were found in saline environments with high sodium levels. Intraspecific variability in salt tolerance was estimated, and its relation to the salinity level of the populations’ natural environment was assessed. A principal component analysis based on growth data distinguished lines from saline and non‐saline habitats only under salt conditions. Results suggest that selecting under stressed environments is a reasonable strategy for breeding E. scabrifolius. Lines of saline origin had higher biomass under both control and saline conditions, suggesting that higher gains from selection would be obtained if germplasm from this origin was used, and tillering may be the most useful indirect selection criterion for improving salt tolerance. The association between salt tolerance, ion content and osmotic adjustment was also assessed. Salt‐sensitive lines accumulated high sodium levels in leaves. However, osmotic adjustment did not correlate with the maintenance of leaf elongation rates under salinity in the genotypes included in this study.     

Comparative effects of salt and alkali stresses on organic acid accumulation and ionic balance of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is uniquely capable of growing well under various extreme environmental conditions, such as water deficit, salt stress, low temperature, and high altitude. It is of economic value and its berries are used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. In this study, we compared the effects of salt stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl to Na₂SO₄, pH 6.48–6.65) and alkali stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaHCO₃ to Na₂CO₃, pH 8.70–8.88) on the levels of inorganic ions and organic acids in H. rhamnoides L. to elucidate the physiological mechanism by which it tolerates salt or alkali stress (high pH). The results showed that, in leaves and stems under alkali stress, the Na⁺ content increased to a much greater extent than under salt stress. Neither salt nor alkali stress decreased the K⁺ content in leaves and stems; however, in roots, the K⁺ content decreased sharply with increasing alkali stress, whereas it remained relatively unchanged with increasing salt stress. This revealed a specific mechanism of absorption or transport for Na⁺ and K⁺ that was affected strongly by alkali stress. The results indicated that accumulation of organic acid (OA) was a central adaptive mechanism by which H. rhamnoides maintained intracellular ionic balance under alkali stress. OA may play different roles in different organs during adaptation to alkali stress, and its percentage contribution to total negative charge was higher in leaf than in stem. H. rhamnoides accumulated mainly malate, oxalate, and citrate in leaves and stems; however, in roots, less malate and citrate was accumulated, and acetate accumulation was enhanced significantly, which indicated that roots and shoots use different mechanisms to modulate OA metabolism.     

高光、水分和盐胁迫下小麦光合特性和抗氧化酶系统的比较

为了解植物光合机构及抗氧化酶系统对高光、水分及盐胁迫的适应机制,比较分析了光强1 800 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、20% 聚乙二醇（PEG-6000）和0.3 mol·L^-1 NaCl处理下小麦叶绿素荧光以及抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明,与对照相比,高光胁迫、水分胁迫和盐胁迫下小麦叶片相对含水量、总蛋白含量以及叶绿素含量均下降,以水分胁迫效应最显著,盐胁迫次之。三种胁迫均显著降低了小麦叶片的光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、PSII最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）及电子传递率（ETR）,而显著增加胞间CO₂浓度、非光化学淬灭（NPQ）、脯氨酸及可溶性糖含量,也以水分胁迫效应最显著。三种胁迫下小麦叶片内的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）及过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性随胁迫时间的延长呈现不同的变化趋势。其中,SOD活性在三种胁迫下均呈先升后降的趋势;POD活性在高光和水分胁迫下先升后降,而在盐胁迫下呈上升趋势;CAT活性在高光和盐胁迫下呈上升趋势,而在水分胁迫下呈下降趋势。以上结果表明,在三种环境胁迫中,水分胁迫给小麦带来的伤害最严重,盐胁迫次之,高光胁迫最轻。 此外,小麦抗氧化酶系统在高光胁迫、水分胁迫及盐胁迫下应答机制不同。     

异源表达玉米ZmWRKY11基因增强拟南芥对盐胁迫的耐受性

从玉米中分离得到响应高盐胁迫的WRKY基因,将其命名为ZmWRKY11。构建过量表达载体pCAMBIA1301-ZmWRKY11,采用花序侵染法转化拟南芥,研究ZmWRKY11基因的生物学功能,扩繁后对T3代转基因植株进行耐盐鉴定试验。结果表明,转基因株系的绿苗率在盐胁迫处理后显著高于野生型拟南芥,同时,野生型株系中丙二醛含量和相对电解质渗透率相较于转基因植株发生了更为显著的上升,但脯氨酸含量的上升幅度则小于转基因株系。结果表明,ZmWRKY11在拟南芥中的异源过表达增强了转基因植物对盐胁迫的耐受性。     

Heritability of agronomic traits correlated with reduced stink bug damage in an F2:3 soybean population derived from IAC-100

In Brazil, some of the most important insect pests causing damage to soybean (Glycine max) are stink bugs. Soybean production would increase if varieties with enhanced resistance were developed. The aim of this work was to examine different traits associated with plant development, and yield-related traits, in an F_2:3 soybean population in a stink bug-infested field and to evaluate genetic parameters and correlations among those traits. The parents and progeny from 229 F₂ plants developed by crossing a resistant cultivar (IAC-100) with a susceptible cultivar (CD-215) were evaluated in three replications in a single environment. Seven agronomic traits and eight indicators of insect resistance were measured. Genotypes showed significant differences for all traits except lodging. The grain-filling period exhibited a positive genotypic correlation of 0.66 with hundred-seed weight, whereas a negative genotypic correlation of ?0.53 was found between pod damage index (%) and weight of healthy seeds. In general, a shorter pod-filling period, lower weight of hundred-seeds, lower indices of pod damage, and higher seed-yield per plant were phenotypic traits of genotypes resistant to these insects.     

Evaluation of salt-tolerant genotypes of durum wheat derived from in vitro and field experiments

The performance of selected salt-tolerant genotypes of durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.], derived from field and in vitro assessment methods, was evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions. Eight durum wheat genotypes comprising three salt-tolerant genotypes and one salt-sensitive genotype selected from each of the methods were used. This study was conducted under both saline and non-saline field conditions as well as under greenhouse condition with salinized solution culture at 0 mM (control), 75 and 150 mM NaCl (concentrations) using supplemental Ca²⁺. Days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, 1000 grain weight, number of spikes per m², grain yield and harvest index were recorded in the field experiments. Plant dry weight, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ accumulated in the hydroponically grown seedlings were measured 20 days after salinity treatments. In spite of the smaller range of genotypes used by the in vitro screening method, tolerant genotypes screened by the in vitro method (ITGs) performed comparably with those of the field-derived tolerant genotypes (FTGs) for grain yield under saline field conditions. Field salinity significantly reduced (P < 0.01) means of all traits averaged on eight tested genotypes. In vitro salt-tolerant genotypes Dipper-6 and Prion-1 produced the highest dry weight and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio under salt stress conditions (150 mM NaCl) in the greenhouse. Although dry matter correlated with the grain yield (R² = 0.37), the regression coefficient was higher for shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratio (R² = 0.44). Dipper-6 (ITG) and Prion-1 (ITG) genotypes have been ranked superior while Massara-1 (ISG) was inferior for salt tolerance in the regression analysis. However, based on grain yield reduction Ajaia/Hora/Jro/3/Gan (FTG) and PI40100 (ITG) were the most tolerant having 58% and 60% reduction, respectively.     

Effects of salt and low light intensity during the vegetative stage on susceptibility of rice to male sterility induced by chilling stress during the reproductive stage

We tested whether exposing rice plants to abiotic stress (salt or shade) during vegetative growth affects the chilling tolerance of reproductive organs, which is one of the most important traits for rice growing in a cool climate; we used two rice cultivars with different tolerance in two growing seasons. We divided the vegetative growth into three phases to clarify the most sensitive period: 7–22 days after transplanting (DAT), 23–38 DAT and 39–54 DAT. Chilling tolerance of the pre-stressed plants was based on the male sterility induced by low temperatures. Shade and salt stress during all three vegetative growth phases significantly reduced stomatal conductance. Shade decreased the specific leaf weight and the leaf sugar and starch contents, but salt had no significant effect, despite causing leaf damage. Low temperatures during the reproductive stage induced spikelet sterility in all plants, but the magnitude was greater in the salt- and shade-stressed plants of both cultivars, especially those stressed late during vegetative growth. The increased spikelet sterility caused by chilling was closely related to the reduction of the total spikelet number per panicle. This is the first study to show that salt and low light stress during vegetative growth increased the susceptibility of rice plants to chilling damage during panicle development.     

Genotypic Difference of Sorghum bicolor in the Callus Formation and Callus Growth on Aluminum–Containing Medium

Abstract

We examined the genetic variation in the callus performance of the Al–tolerant and Al–susceptible genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) on Al–containing medium. Addition of Al to the medium with a low pH, low Ca and low phosphate resulted in a severe decrease in the percentage of callus formation (GF) in both Al–tolerant and Al–susceptible genotypes. However, the percentage of callus formation in the expiants from Al–tolerant genotypes was higher than that from susceptible genotypes on Al–containing medium. The genotypic difference in the relative growth of calli on Al–containing medium and in the suppression of callus formation by Al was in agreement with that in the hematoxylin staining score. Al might have been considered as a limiting factor that affected the callus growth. There was a significant correlation (r= –0.664*) between the percent relative suppression of callus formation by Al and the percentage of callus formation on Al–containing medium. The callus growth in fresh weight and size on Al –containing medium relative to that on Al–free medium (relative growth on Al–containing medium) was greater in Al–tolerant genotypes than in the other genotypes. The relative growth of callus in fresh weight and size on Al–containing medium significantly correlated (r=–0.820** and r=– 0.956**, respectively) with the percent relative suppression of callus formation by Al. The tissue culture is considered to be a useful tool for selecting Al–tolerant haploids at the callus stage.     

转异苞滨藜BADH基因玉米高世代株系苗期外源基因表达及耐盐性功能分析

以转来自耐盐植物异苞滨藜的甜菜碱醛脱氢酶基因(BADH)玉米T8代株系BZ-136及受体对照自交系郑58(耐盐)为试材,采用盆栽种植方法,分析转基因植株中外源基因的表达情况,检测耐盐相关生理指标。结果表明,转基因株系BZ-136中的BADH酶活性及甜菜碱含量显著高于受体对照,随着盐胁迫时间的延长,其表达量先增加后减少,在胁迫7 d时分别达到了最大值。转基因株系幼苗株高和干重从盐胁迫第3天开始显著高于对照,鲜重和含水量在胁迫第5天和第7天时转基因株系显著高于对照;转基因株系根总体积显著高于对照,直径和根尖数在胁迫第5天时显著高于对照;转基因株系电导率和丙二醛含量均低于对照,分别在胁迫第3天和第7天开始达显著差异,叶绿素含量高于受体对照,从第3天开始二者差异达显著水平。由于外源BADH基因的表达显著提高了基因株系的耐盐性。     

橡胶树ICE转录因子对盐胁迫的响应及功能鉴定

ICE（inducer of CBF expression）是类似MYC（myelocytomatosis）的bHLH（basic helix-loop-helix）转录因子,在植物应对低温、干旱、高盐等非生物胁迫中起重要的调节作用。本研究通过qPCR分析橡胶树ICE家族成员的表达模式。结果表明：5个ICE家族成员均响应盐胁迫上调表达。在盐胁迫2 h时,HbICE2、HbICE3、HbICE4和HbICE5显著上调表达;在盐胁迫4 h时,HbICE4和HbICE5的表达量达到最大值,其中HbICE4的上调幅度最大;HbICE1在盐胁迫4 h内无显著变化,但在处理8 h时显著上调表达。过表达这5个ICE家族成员均可不同程度地提高拟南芥的耐盐性,其中过表达HbICE4的植株对盐胁迫的抗性最强,在盐胁迫下,野生型拟南芥（WT）全部枯萎,而HbICE4转化植株的存活率为96.29%,平均单株鲜重为0.03 g,平均单株干重为0.0035 g,在HbICE家族成员转化株系中均表现最高。在盐胁迫下,WT和HbICEs转基因植株的电导率均显著增加,叶绿素含量和相对含水量均显著降低,其中HbICE4转化植株的相对电导率的增加幅度最小,叶绿素含量和相对含水量的降低幅度最小。因此,HbICE4转化植株的抗盐性可能与增强膜系统的稳定性和减缓叶绿素降解和保持相对含水量有关。该研究结果对橡胶树HbICE家族成员的生物学功能有了新的认识,有望为改良农作物耐盐性提供候选靶基因。     

干旱胁迫对不同基因型玉米产量及其构成因素的影响

以6个普通玉米品种为材料,在京郊大田条件下,采用裂区区组设计,分析干旱胁迫对不同基因型玉米产量及其构成因素的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫显著影响了玉米产量(P0.01)、穗数(P0.05)、穗粒数(P0.05)和千粒重(P0.05),干旱胁迫对6个参试玉米品种产量影响存在显著差异(P0.05),其最终产量降低幅度为京农科728郑单958农华101MC703联创808登海618,其相应基因型穗数、穗粒数、千粒重等穗部性状与产量降低的趋势一致。     

Genotypic variation in patterns of root distribution, nitrate interception and response to moisture stress of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) mapping population

Genotypic variation in patterns of root distribution, nitrate interception and response to moisture stress were assessed in both parents and 198 progeny of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) full‐sibling mapping population. This was carried out in metre‐deep tubes of sand culture in a glasshouse experiment. The proportion of root dry matter (DM) weight in the top 10 cm of sand ranged from 0·33 to 0·75 and values of log₁₀(1 ? K), where K is the constant for an exponential model relating root DM weight and root depth, also showed wide variation among genotypes. The proportion of a pulse of ¹⁵N recovered in whole plants ranged from 0·124 to 0·431. There was a positive linear correlation between the proportion of ¹⁵N recovered and plant total DM weight, but no relationship between nitrate interception and patterns of distribution of DM weight of roots. Some genotypes responded to moisture stress by increasing root growth, and in others root growth was inhibited. It is concluded that this below‐ground variability in root variables may be an evolutionary adaptation by plant populations to survive heterogeneity in soil biotic and edaphic factors.