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Lateral Root Development in Progenies of Creeping and Noncreeping‐Rooted Medicago sativa L. 1
Author(s) -
Avendano Raul E.,
Davis Ralph L.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1966.0011183x000600020028x
Subject(s) - biology , shoot , crown (dentistry) , fibrous root system , medicago sativa , root system , botany , lateral root , sowing , horticulture , medicago , agronomy , medicine , biochemistry , dentistry , arabidopsis , gene , mutant
Progenies between 2 creeping‐rooted and 2 noncreepingrooted clones crossed in all combinations were evaluated for differences in root development. Plant heights and dry weights of tops and roots were measured. Lateral root development began within the first 3 months of growth and a cross involving 2 creeping clones produced the highest proportion of progeny with lateral roots. The first vigorous lateral roots produced on plants from creeping ✕ creeping clones were closer to the crown (nearer the soil surface) and formed a larger angle with the main root than laterals on plants from noncreeping ✕ noncreeping clones. Crosses of the 2 creeping‐rooted clones produced more plants with adventitious shoot sites on roots and more sites per plant than other crosses. Adventitious shoots were observed as early as 5 months after planting. Forage yields between progenies of creeping ✕ creeping and noncreeping ✕ noncreeping crosses were not significant. Negative but nonsignificant correlations were found between the distance from the base of the crown to the first vigorous lateral and the angle formed between this lateral and the main root. Dry weight of the roots in the top 18 inches of soil was positively and significantly correlated with height and yield. The lateral roots on the creeping‐rooted plants developed early and suggested that such types less than one year old may resist heaving better than noncreeping types.