Wheat Root Traits for Drought Adaptation

Root architecture traits are an important component for improving water stress adaptation. For characterizing the role of root architecture in water stress adaptation, we are using wheat introgression lines with an alien chromosome segment from a wild wheat relative species (Agropyron elongatum). The wheat translocation line have improved water stress adaptation and higher root and shoot biomass compared with the control genotypes. We will present results from our physiological studies and transcriptome analysis to elucidate the basis of improved root traits on drought stress tolerance in wheat.