The effect of stress on root growth

Relationship between root morphology and grain yield of wheat in north-western NSW, Australia
B. M. Atta, T. Mahmood and R. M. Trethowan, Plant Breeding Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
This article is looking into differences in root morphology of different wheat genotypes and their impact on grain yield. The authors conclude that under water stress crop water extraction from the soil depends on root distribution. They further suggest that the synthetic derived genotypes with superior root traits, improved WUE and higher grain yield in water deficit can be combined in crosses with sources of resistance to root diseases, such as crown rot, to improve the adaptation of wheat.

Altered gene expression by sedaxane increases PSII efficiency, photosynthesis and growth and improves tolerance to drought in wheat seedlings
O.O. Ajigboye , C. Lu, E. H.Murchie and R. V. Ray, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
C. Schlatter, G. Swart, Syngenta Crop Protection, Switzerland
In this study by the group of Dr. Rumiana Ray at the School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, a combination of chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange and gene expression analysis was used to better understand the basis of the physiological responses of wheat seedlings under drought conditions to sedaxane, a novel SDHI seed treatment. The results indicate that sedaxane confers tolerant responses of wheat plants grown under drought conditions by redirecting metabolites from defense/stress responses towards growth and adaptive development.