LMI Adaptation des Plantes et microorganismes associés au Stress Environnementaux

Researchers from LAPSE (LCM & CERAAS) in collaboration with colleagues from France and the UK, recently reported the characterization of early root development in pearl millet using different root phenotyping approaches that include rhizotrons and microcomputed tomography (microCT, see picture). Early stage pearl millet root system development is characterized by a fast growing primary root that quickly colonizes deeper soil horizons. Moreover, root anatomical studies revealed three distinct types of lateral roots that form on both primary roots and crown roots. Finally, they detected significant variation for two root architectural traits, primary root lenght and lateral root density, in pearl millet inbred lines. This study provides the basis for subsequent genetic experiments to identify loci associated with interesting early root development traits in this important African cereal.
This work is published ( Passot et al., 2016) in the open access journal Frontiers in Plant Science.