Erfassung von Wurzelmerkmalen bei Mais-Inzuchtlinien und Hybriden unter kontrollierten Bedingungen und im Feldversuch

Root characteristics of maize inbred lines and single crosses in controlled environments and in field trials
Shoot and root dry matter yield and root surface of eight maize inbred lines and eight single crosses were investigated in nutrient solutions with low and high nitrogen content. In a seedling test root length was determined, and in field trials the vertical root-pull resistance, kernel yield, lodging resistance and root dry matter in soil cores were measured.
Nitrogen concentration had a positive effect on root growth in nutrient solution as well as under field conditions. For all root traits there exist a significant genotypic variation. No interactions occurred between genotype and nitrogen supply. Root dry matter in nutrient solution, vertical root-pull resistance, and lodging resistance were positively correlated among one another. No correlation was observed between root weight in nutrient solution and root weight under field conditions.