Comparison of Root System Development in Two Rice Cultivars During Stress Recovery from Drought and the Plant Traits for Drought Resistance

Summary

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare root system development of two upland rice cultivars, IRAT 13 and Senshou, during recovery from drought stress and to identify the plant traits that confer drought resistance. From 62 days after sowing (62 DAS), drought stress was given for 6 d followed by rewatering for 14 d. Root length density (RLD) and root diameter (thickness) were measured at the end of the stress and rewatering periods. Control plants were well-watered throughout the study. Gultivar IRAT 13 had thicker roots and higher relative RLD (ratio of RLD in drought-stressed plants to that in control plants) than under drought stress, and significantly higher root growth recovery after rewatering cultivar Senshou. Related plant traits such as evapotranspiration (ET), leaf and stem dry weights and weight of senescent leaves (dead leaves) in IRAT 13 were significantly more favorable for drought resistance compared to Senshou.     

Root Growth and Water Extraction Response of Doubled-Haploid Rice Lines to Drought and Rewatering during the Vegetative Stage

Abstract

Doubled haploid lines (DHLs) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were used to examine responses to drought and rewatering in controlled rainfed lowland conditions, in order to determine whether confounding by unrelated traits would be less than has been reported previously for contrasting cultivars that differ in genetic background. IR62266 and four DHLs derived from the cross between IR62266 and CT9993 (DHL-32, -51, -54 and -79) were grown in pot experiments in the greenhouse during the 2000 dry and wet seasons at IRRI, Los Baños, Philippines. There were two water regimes (well-watered and drought). Estimated water extraction obtained by time domain reflectometry (TDR) was similar to cumulative transpiration estimated from pot weighing for each genotype. Genotypic variation was observed in root traits and water extraction, with extraction slower in DHL-32 and faster in DHL-79, especially in deeper soil layers. An upper bound relationship between water extraction from a soil layer and root length density (RLD) in that layer was readily apparent over DHLs and soil depths, suggesting a critical value of RLD for water extraction of 0.30 cm cm^?3 in these conditions. Because soils in the field would not be as homogenous as the puddled soils used in these greenhouse experiments, this critical RLD for water extraction from a soil layer is a reference for ideal conditions, and requires careful validation in the field. Use of DHLs permitted comparisons with reduced confounding by genetic background, with consequent improvements in precision.     

小麦根长密度和根干重密度对氮肥的响应及其与产量的关系

为总结施氮量与小麦根系生长及产量的关系,通过查询近30年（1993-2019年）中国主要麦区施氮量对小麦根长密度、根干重密度及产量影响的文献资料,对小麦适宜的施氮范围进行分析。结果表明,随着土层的加深,小麦根长密度(RLD) 和根干重密度(RDWD)总体上呈逐渐降低的趋势,且小麦根系主要分布在0～20 cm土层。不同施氮量下0～60 cm土层小麦开花期的RLD 和RDWD均高于成熟期,开花期的RLD 和RDWD分别在施氮220～235和192～209 kg·hm^-2时达到最大值,成熟期分别在施氮220～275和 171～212 kg·hm^-2达到最大值。经相关性分析,小麦产量与RLD、RDWD均呈显著正相关。通过对施氮量与小麦籽粒产量进行一元二次方程拟合得出,在施氮量为247 kg·hm^-2时小麦产量达到峰值。因此,在当前中国主要麦区向农户推荐氮肥用量时,需针对不同区域,结合农田实际,在施氮171～247 kg·hm^-2范围选择合理用量,以促进小麦根系的生长发育及籽粒产量的提高。     

施肥对水分胁迫下冬小麦根系提水及养分利用的影响

为了解水分胁迫下施肥对冬小麦根系提水及养分利用的影响以及水肥在小麦生长过程中的协同效应,采用两室分根土培方法,通过对上下两个土层（上层：0~20 cm;下层：20~60 cm）含水量进行控制和观测,分析了不同水分处理间小麦根系提水量、养分积累和表现利用率的差异。结果表明,在土壤上干下湿（DW）条件下冬小麦系提水作用明显,施肥处理对冬小麦全生育期根系提水量有明显影响,表现为氮磷配施、单施磷>对照（不施肥）>单施氮。在氮磷配施条件下,小麦植株及各器官氮磷养分累积量高于其他施肥处理（单施磷、对照和单施氮）,各施肥条件下植株氮磷素累积量均表现为WW>DW>DD。氮磷肥表观利用率明显高于单施氮或单施磷处理,且表现出DW和WW（上下土层均湿润）处理的氮磷肥表观利用率均高于DD水分处理（上下土层均干燥）。由此可见,氮磷配施可明显提高水分胁迫（DW）下小麦根系从土壤深层的提水作用,同时促进植株对氮磷养分的积累和利用,实现水肥相互协同。     

底墒对冬小麦植株生长及产量的影响

设计5种不同底墒处理,结合冬小麦苗期控水、抽穗复水的人工干预,通过钻取0~200cm根系样本和生育期内连续观测最大根深,对应分析地上部生物量及产量因素,以了解底墒通过调控根系在土壤中的垂直分布和土壤水分的利用对冬小麦地上植株生长发育和产量形成的影响。底墒充足时诱导根系相对较多地向土壤纵深下扎,形成了上层相对较少、深层相对较多的根系构型,其0~30cm浅层根系生物量占0~200cm整层比例较底墒较差的处理少10.95个百分点,而100~200cm深层偏多5.70个百分点,延深了根系汲取土壤水分的深度,而且底墒在冬小麦全生育期中持续发挥着水分调节作用。底墒充足时收获指数、水分利用效率(WUE)都最高,其收获指数为0.4920,WUE为1.5479g/(m2·mm),分别比底墒较差的处理偏高0.0823和0.3030g/(m2·mm)。     

小麦品种抗旱性与深根性和深层根系活性的关系

为明确小麦根系垂直生长与抗旱能力的关系,以不同抗旱类型品种洛旱6号、西农979和郑麦366为材料,在柱栽条件下研究了不同生育时期最大根深、根干重垂直分布、根系活性垂直变化等性状。结果表明,本试验条件下,小麦根深在挑旗期达最大值,越冬至挑旗期间根系生长速度快。挑旗期和抽穗期不同抗旱类型品种间根深差异显著,其中抗旱性强的品种最大根深较大;与抗旱性弱的品种相比,抗旱性强的品种总根干重和深层根干重小,根系生理活性强。籽粒灌浆期表现为抗旱性越强,深层根系生理活性越强。据此认为,抗旱性强的小麦品种未必具有较大的根干重或深层根干重,但其根系下扎深且深层根系生理活性较强,尤其是生育后期的根系生理活性强。     

An empirical model for root water uptake

Soil water availability estimation is critical for assessing crop development and performance. During periods of soil water deficits, the capability of crop roots to extract soil water depends on the distribution and depth of its root system. Most water uptake models assume a relationship between root water extraction and root length density (RLD). However, models using RLD are difficult to test and several researchers have questioned the various proposed relationships between RLD and water uptake. A simplified water uptake model that does not use RLD was developed, but as an alternative, uses generalizations from measured soil water content changes to predict root water uptake. The daily incrementing model estimates a maximum water uptake rate by roots limited by soil water content that declines exponentially with the soil water content above the lower limit (LL) i.e., the remaining available soil water. The model assumes that: (i) the roots at a given layer have reached a minimum threshold of root density to extract water at a maximum rate; (ii) the transpiration demand is greater than the total root water uptake; and (iii) the water content at LL can be accurately measured or estimated. A critical constant (K) in the exponential model, representing the fraction of extractable water in a soil layer that can be taken up in 1 day, was found to be 0.096 for several species (cotton, maize, pearl millet, grain sorghum, soybean, sunflower and wheat), and different soil conditions. Values of K smaller than 0.096 were likely caused by root clumping in highly structured (cracking) or compacted soils, where root density was low in deeper soil layers when further downward root growth practically ceased, or by peanut whose K values was 0.064. This new empirical model should help to overcome several of the limitations of current models that rely on the use of measured or predicted RLD.     

Rooting systems of oilseed and pulse crops. II: Vertical distribution patterns across the soil profile

Root distribution patterns in the soil profile are the important determinant of the ability of a crop to acquire water and nutrients for growth. This study was to determine the root distribution patterns of selected oilseeds and pulses that are widely adapted in semiarid northern Great Plains. We hypothesized that root distribution patterns differed between oilseed, pulse, and cereal crops, and that the magnitude of the difference was influenced by water availability. A field experiment was conducted in 2006 and 2007 near Swift Current (50°15′N, 107°44′W), Saskatchewan, Canada. Three oilseeds [canola (Brassica napus L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.)], three pulses [chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris)], and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were hand-planted in lysimeters of 15 cm in diameter and 100 cm in length which were pushed into soil with a hydraulic system. Crops were evaluated under low- (natural rainfall) and high- (rainfall + irrigation) water conditions. Vertical distribution of root systems was determined at the late-flowering stage. A large portion (>90%) of crop roots was mainly distributed in the 0-60 cm soil profile and the largest amount of crop rooting took place in the top 20 cm soil increment. Pulses had larger diameter roots across the entire soil profile than oilseeds and wheat. Canola had 28% greater root length and 110% more root tips in the top 10 cm soil and 101% larger root surface area in the 40 cm soil under high-water than under low-water conditions. In 2007, drier weather stimulated greater root growth for oilseeds in the 20-40 cm soil and for wheat in the 0-20 cm soil, but reduced root growth of pulses in the 0-50 cm soil profile. In semiarid environments, water availability did not affect the vertical distribution patterns of crop roots with a few exceptions. Pulses are excellent “digging” crops with a strong “tillage” function to the soil due to their larger diameter roots, whereas canola is more suitable to the environment with high availability of soil water that promotes canola root development.     

几种水氮模式处理下冬小麦根系生长的差异

为了给冬小麦水氮管理提供理论依据,以京冬8号为试验材料,采用随机区组设计,研究了4种水氮模式(优化灌溉-传统施肥、传统水肥、秸秆还田-优化水肥、优化水肥、传统灌溉-优化施肥)处理下冬小麦根系生长的差异。结果表明,不同处理间冬小麦0~120 cm土层单位面积的根量有差异。与传统水肥相比,传统灌溉-优化施肥0~60 cm土层的根系长度有所减少,60~90和90~120 cm土层的根系长度分别增加14.62%和73.72%(P<0.05),总根量略增加;优化灌溉-传统施肥0~30 cm土层的根系长度明显增加(P<0.05),30~60、60~90和90~120 cm土层的根系长度分别减少3.52%、6.65%和18.21%,总根量增加;优化水肥和秸秆还田-优化水肥各土层的根量增加。与优化水肥相比,秸秆还田-优化水肥0~60 cm土层的根量有所增加,60~120 cm土层有所减少。各处理冬小麦根系密度随土层加深而递减的速度大小为优化灌溉-传统施肥>传统水肥>秸秆还田-优化水肥>优化水肥>传统灌溉-优化施肥。     

垄作栽培对冬小麦根系活力和旗叶衰老的影响

为了明确垄作栽培条件下冬小麦根系活力与旗叶衰老的变化规律,采用垄作种植方式与传统平作栽培相比较的方法,研究了2种不同种植方式对2个小麦品种烟农19和济麦19根系活力及旗叶衰老的影响。结果表明,垄作栽培中由于小麦种植在垄顶上,0-60 cm土层根系干重较平作栽培增加12％以上,深层土壤(20-60 cm)根系活力得到极显著提高。在垄作栽培条件下,小麦生育后期旗叶叶绿素含量和光合速率较传统平作均有显著提高。开花15 d后,垄作栽培条件下的SOD、CAT、POD活性及可溶性蛋白质含量等较传统平作栽培均有显著提高,MDA含量显著降低。垄作栽培与传统平作栽培在同等节水条件下有利于提高小麦深层根系活力,延缓旗叶衰老。     

Effects of Soil Type,Vertical Root Distribution and Precipitation on Grain Yield of Winter Wheat

Abstract

In Abashiri in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, grain yields of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hokushin) in the western area, with umbric andosol or dystric cambisol soil types, are lower and unstable compared to those in the eastern area, with mostly haplic andosol soil type. The aim of this study was to evaluate yield differences between the eastern and western areas. The vertical root distribution of wheat plants was examined over two seasons in farmers’ fields in both areas by a wall profile method. Plants grown in the western area had shallower root systems than those grown in the eastern area. Poor soil porosity and high soil penetration resistance suppressed the vertical distribution of root systems in umbric andosol and dystric cambisol. Grain yields were not always correlated with the amount and distribution of the root system. Grain yield in the 2004/2005 season was not correlated with root depth index, whereas it was positively correlated in the 2005/2006 season. During the period from heading to maturity (mid June to late July) over the two seasons, grain yield was associated with precipitation more than with temperature and total solar radiation. In the 2005/2006 season, during the late growing stage of wheat, precipitation was extremely low and soils were very dry. The difference in grain yield between the eastern and western areas was significant and negatively related to precipitation during the period from heading to maturity. Significant correlations of yield with sunshine duration and solar radiation from the heading stage to maturity were observed only on haplic andosol. The results suggest that the major factor controlling yearly changes in the difference in grain yield of winter wheat between the eastern and western areas is the difference in photosynthetic ability, which is based on rooting depth and water supply in response to solar radiation during the late growing stage.     

土壤干旱对小麦生理性状和产量的影响

为探讨土壤干旱对小麦产量的影响及其生理基础,以高产小麦品种扬麦16和宁麦13为材料进行盆栽,自分蘖末期至成熟设置正常供水(WW)、土壤轻度干旱(MD)和土壤重度干旱(SD)3种处理,研究其对小麦根系和地上部分生理性状的影响。结果表明,与WW相比,MD处理显著提高了各生育期的根系氧化力、根系及籽粒中玉米素+玉米素核苷(Z+ZR)的含量、花后干物质积累量及茎鞘中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的运转量;根冠比、叶片光合速率及叶片中Z+ZR的含量在WW和MD处理间无显著差异;SD处理则降低了产量和植株生理活性。MD处理显著提高了穗粒数、粒重和产量,SD处理的结果则相反;穗数随土壤干旱程度的加重而降低。两个品种的结果趋势相同。相关分析表明,根系氧化力、根系和籽粒中Z+ZR含量、花后干物质积累量及NSC运转量与籽粒灌浆速率、千粒重和产量呈极显著正相关。表明土壤轻度干旱可提高小麦根系生理活性并促进光合同化物向籽粒的转运,进而增加产量。     

非灌溉条件下播前深松对冬小麦水分利用和产量的影响

为了解华北地区深松土壤的蓄水保墒节水和增产效果,在中国农业大学吴桥实验站,对播前深松+旋耕(S)和旋耕(N)两种耕作方式下非灌溉冬小麦田的土壤容重和水分及小麦根条数、干物质生产和水分利用进行了评价。结果表明,与N处理相比,S处理下0~35cm土层的容重显著降低,越冬期、返青期、拔节期、开花期和成熟期的土壤蓄水量分别提高35.8、34.2、23、80和41.3mm,越冬期和拔节期根数显著增加,花前干物质积累量、生物产量和籽粒产量分别增加28.1%、16.3%和23.2%,花后干物质积累量变化不明显,同时耗水量降低28.7mm,籽粒产量-水分利用效率提高39.3%。因此,冬小麦播前深松在降水量稀少的华北地区应该大力推广。     

硬质小麦籽粒阿拉伯木聚糖含量的遗传变异研究

为了更好地理解环境和基因型对小麦阿拉伯木聚糖含量的影响,为小麦品质改良提供科学依据,采用比色法测定了美国西部51个硬质小麦品种的阿拉伯木聚糖组分含量,这些小麦品种包括冬小麦和春小麦,分别被种植在3个不同的地点.结果表明,参试冬小麦品种水溶性和总阿拉伯木聚糖含量的变异范围分别为0.39%～0.81%和3.09%～4.04%,春小麦品种这两种木聚糖含量范围分别为0.48%～0.92%和3.94%～4.70%.小麦籽粒阿拉伯木聚糖含量的变异同时受品种、环境及其互作效应的显著影响,环境效应太于品种效应.小麦品种间阿拉伯木聚糖含量的变异主要表现在水溶性组分上.就不同组分而言,基因型对水溶性阿拉伯木聚糖组分的影响相对较大,环境则分别对冬小麦水不溶性、春小麦水溶性阿拉伯木聚糖组分有较大的影响.品种间和环境间阿拉伯木聚糖含量的变异,冬小麦大于春小麦;水溶性阿拉伯木聚糖含量的遗传型方差春小麦大于冬小麦.冬、春小麦的水溶性阿拉伯木聚糖含量的广义遗传力均大于95%,通过遗传育种的方法改良小麦阿拉伯木聚糖含量是可行的.冬小麦与春小麦阿拉伯木聚糖含量的平均值之间无明显差异.     

Development and Distribution of Root System in Two GrainSorghum Cultivars Originated from Sudan under Drought Stress

Abstract

The difference in rooting pattern between two grain sorghum cultivars differing in drought tolerance was investigated under drought stress. The cultivars, Gadambalia (drought-tolerant) and Tabat (droughtsusceptible), were grown in bottomless wooden or acrylic root boxes to examine root parameters. Gadambalia consistently exhibited higher dry matter production and leaf water potential than Tabat under drought stress in both root boxes. In the experiment with wooden root boxes, under a drought condition, Gadambalia extracted more water from deep soil layers (1.1-1.5 m), which was estimated from the reduction in soil water content, than Tabat. This was because Gadambalia had a significantly higher root length density in these soil layers. The high root length density was due to enhanced lateral root development in Gadambalia. In the other experiment with acrylic root boxes, though total root length in the upper soil layer (0-0.5 m) was declined by limited irrigation in both cultivars, the reduction in Gadambalia was moderate compared with that in Tabat owing to the maintenance of fine root growth. Unlike Tabat, Gadambalia had an ability to produce the nodal roots from higher internodes even under drought, which resulted in the high nodal root length of Gadambalia. The growth angle of nodal roots was significantly correlated with root diameter, and the nodal roots from the higher internodes had large diameters and penetrated into the soil more vertically. These results indicate that the responses of roots (i.e. branching and/or growth of lateral root, and nodal root emergence from higher internodes) to soil dryness could be associated with the drought tolerance of Gadambalia.     

播后镇压和冬前灌溉对土壤条件和冬小麦生育特性的影响

为揭示冬灌和镇压的作用,以冬小麦品种石新828和石麦12号为材料,研究了冬灌和镇压措施对麦田土壤水热条件和冬小麦生育特性的影响。结果表明,与不冬灌相比,冬灌条件下,冬季和春季土壤含水量提高,土壤温度较稳定。与不镇压相比,镇压处理的冬前和起身期土壤含水量及冬前夜间土壤温度提高。冬灌处理冬小麦在越冬后各时期的总茎数、LAI、干物质积累量有所降低,开花期叶片光合速率显著下降,灌浆后期叶片SPAD值下降也较快,每穗总小穗数、结实小穗数、穗粒数和产量均减少。镇压使小麦开花前干物质积累量减少,但对成熟期干物质积累量影响不显著,因为开花后光合速率提高,叶片SPAD值下降较缓慢,开花后干物质积累较多。镇压处理成熟期的单位面积穗数降低,但由于穗粒数和千粒重提高,镇压与不镇压的产量差异不显著。从本研究结果看,冬灌是一项防冻保苗的有效措施,与播后镇压配合可减缓冬季低温和温度剧烈变化对小麦的不利影响。     

Relationship between Deep Root Distribution and Root Penetration Capacity Estimated by Pot Experiments with a Paraffin and Vaseline Layer for Landraces and Recent Cultivars of Wheat

Root growth into deep soil is an important factor for stable production in wheat under drought conditions. Root penetrating capacity (RP) shown by pot experiments with a paraffin-Vaseline layer (PV layer) may be a useful indicator estimating deep rooting ability of wheat genotypes. Previously, we identified genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) and bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) with diverse RP by the pot experiments. In this study, we investigated the root distribution of three Ethiopian landraces of durum wheat with high RP, three recent cultivars of durum wheat with low RP and one Japanese cultivar of bread wheat ‘Haruyutaka’ with low RP using: (1) pots with a PV layer, (2) root boxes, (3) artificial field and (4) a normal field to analyze the relationship between RP estimated by pot experiment and root development in the field. In the pot experiments, RP was evaluated by the number of roots penetrating through the PV layer (NRP). In the root-box and field experiments, the root distribution was evaluated by the number of roots on the vertical surface of soil as the root frequency (RF: root number cm-¹ soil surface). Ethiopian landraces had a significantly larger NRP than recent cultivars in the pot experiment. The root box and field experiments showed that Ethiopian landraces tended to have a higher RF than recent cultivars in deep soil layer. We concluded that RP estimated by pot experiments with a PV layer is a useful indicator of deep rooting ability under field conditions.     

Growth of the whole root system for a plant crop of sugarcane under rainfed and irrigated environments in Brazil

Sugarcane crops are managed over 8 million hectares in Brazil and future extensions might occur on less favorable lands where irrigation would be necessary to increase and stabilize yields. Root growth was studied by sequential soil coring under rainfed and irrigated conditions for one cultivar widely planted in Brazil. Root length densities (RLD) were measured 34, 49, 125, 179, 241 and 322 days after planting (DAP) down to a depth of 1 m. At the harvest (332 DAP), root intersects (a proxy for RLD) were counted on two vertical trench walls in each water supply regime, down to a depth of 6.0 m. The highest RLD in deep layers (below a depth of 0.6 m) were observed in the rainfed crop from 125 DAP onwards. By contrast, the highest RLD in the upper layers during dry periods were found in the irrigated crop. The maximum depth reached by roots at the harvest was little affected by irrigation: 4.70 m and 4.25 m in the rainfed and irrigated crop, respectively. About 50% of root intersects were observed below the depth of 1 m in the two water supply regimes. This pattern suggested a strong genetic control of root growth in deep soil layers. The total amount of root intersects 332 DAP was 49% higher in the rainfed crop than in the irrigated crop, and root distribution was more homogeneous. Mean root front velocity was about 0.5 cm day⁻¹ the first 4 months after planting and increased thereafter up to the end of the harvest (1.86 cm day⁻¹ and 1.75 cm day⁻¹ on average in the rainfed and the irrigated crops, respectively). Our study pointed out the necessity to take into account the development of sugarcane roots in deep soil layers to improve our understanding of net primary production control by water availability.     

滴灌春小麦根系形态特征及内源激素含量对花期干旱及复水的响应

为探明北疆地区不同抗旱性滴灌春小麦品种根系形态及内源激素在开花期干旱后复水过程中的变化特征及其与生物量的关系,以春小麦耐旱性强品种新春6号和耐旱性弱品种新春22号为材料,在土柱栽培下设置常规灌溉（CK）、开花期轻度干旱和中度干旱3种水分条件,分析了干旱胁迫后复水条件下不同耐旱性小麦品种根系形态特征、渗透调节物质及内源激素和生物量的差异。结果表明,两个品种的根长密度（RLD）、根体积密度（RVD）、根表面积密度（RSAD）、可溶性糖（SS）含量、脯氨酸（Pro）含量、生长素（IAA）含量、赤霉素（GA₃）含量、玉米素（ZT）含量、地上部干物质积累量（SDM）以及产量均在干旱复水后随时间呈先增后降趋势,以轻度干旱后复水条件下表现最佳。两个品种比较,在轻度干旱后复水条件下新春6号的RLD、RVD、RSAD、SS含量、Pro含量、IAA含量、GA₃含量、ZT含量、ABA含量、SDM及产量较新春22号平均高出3.38%、4.30%、4.29%、21.84%、10.81%、5.99%、10.02%、16.05%、3.13%、6.86%和3.47%。经相关分析,两个品种于各处理下的RLD、RVD、RSAD、SS含量、Pro含量与IAA含量、GA₃含量和ZT含量间均呈显著正相关,与ABA含量呈显著负相关。综上所述,较优的根系生长及生理代谢是春小麦具有较高抗旱性的原因;轻度干旱后复水可调节滴灌春小麦根系渗透调节物质和内源激素含量变化,进而优化根系形态,促进干物质向穗部转运及产量形成,可作为新疆滴灌春小麦灌溉模式。     

Responses of Root Growth to Moderate Soil Water Deficit in Wheat Seedlings

Abstract

In the field, plants show better root growth in drying soil than in wet soil. However, the root growth enhancement has not been demonstrated clearly in the laboratory. In this study, the root growth response of wheat seedlings to moderate soil water deficits was characterized quantitatively in an environment-controlled chamber. Germinated seeds of wheat were grown for 15 days in the soil with a water potential ranging from field capacity (FC) to approximately –0.08 MPa. Theleaf area decreased with reduction in soil water potential. By contrast, the root surface area increased upon reduction ofthe soil water potential to –0.04 MPa while it decreased significantly in soil with a water potential of –0.08 MPa. The increase in surface area was obvious in the roots with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.4 mm and larger than 0.7 mm. Root weight increased with the reduction of soil water potential to –0.04 MPa. While specific root length decreased significantly with the reduction of water potential to –0.06 MPa, the specific root surface area did not. Assimilatestransported from shoot might be used in roots to increae the surface area mainly by increasing the diameter rather than the length in response to a moderate soil water deficit in wheat seedlings. This might result from the drought tolerance mechanism of osmotic adjustment in roots.