Effect of water stress conditions on root characteristics of sorghum plant under irrigated and rainfed conditions

Thirteen sorghum genotypes including seven rabi adopted and six stay green ones were characterized for key root parameters that help surviving under drought conditions. This experiment was conducted in wooden structure which was filled by medium type of soil. Various observations such as root length, root dry mass and number were recorded at physiological maturity, while aerial observations such as leaf area index, leaf area water content and chlorophyll stability index at 50% flowering. Root length at maturity varied from 44.6 to 62.8 cm in rabi adopted entries as a group recorded slightly more root length at maturity over stay green ones. RSV 423 (62.8 cm) in rabi adopted and E 36-1 (60.2 cm) in stay green were superior for root length. Similarly, rabi adopted ones under rainfed conditions recorded higher root numbers, root and shoot mass, root volume and also LAI, RLWC over stay green types under irrigated and rainfed conditions.