Research

Examining deeper rooting rice varieties

Our novel approach will help breeders identify deeper rooting varieties in rice germplasm collections.

Lead researcher: Professor Malcolm Bennett

Research has shown that plants with steeper root angles are able to significantly improve the plants’ ability to explore the soil, leading to improved yields under water and nutrient stress conditions. But measuring root angles for thousands of varieties under field conditions is very difficult. 

This project will test the relationship between shoot and root angles as reflection symmetry exists between above and below ground parts of cereals like rice and barley. 

 

World-class research at the University of Nottingham

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Nottingham
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research@nottingham.ac.uk