The relationship between early root growth
and canola seed yield Roots research is intensifying with the search for drought tolerance and fertilizer use efficiency in various crops. There has been relatively little research on plant roots due to the difficulty and challenges surrounding observing and measuring their growth. However, the roots are instrumental in ensuring a plant can compete and thrive in its environment. To reach full yield potential plant must be able to access the required solutes and nutrients throughout the season. Early growth in canola is instrumental in establishing a good stand and maximizing seed yield potential. The radical is first to emerge from the canola seed and therefore roots are growing prior to the shoot emerging. The concept behind this research was to collect information on roots at this very early stage and determine the relationship to seed yield. The relationship between early root growth and seed yield has the potential to provide researchers with another tool with which they can screen genotypes without having to collect seed yield. Work in other crops has demonstrated some exciting results and hopefully this research in canola is only the beginning and will help increase the rate of yield gains over the years to come. |