A Study of the Role of Root Morphological Traits in Growth of Barley in Zinc-Deficient Soil

The study examined the role of root morphological traits in barley growth under zinc-deficient conditions, focusing on two genotypes: Pallas and the root-hairless mutant brb. Pallas showed superior growth and zinc uptake in soil culture due to its root hairs, which increased the root surface area, while no significant differences were observed in solution culture. The findings highlighted the importance of root hairs in enhancing nutrient uptake in zinc-deficient soils, suggesting that breeding strategies should focus on these traits to improve barley's tolerance to zinc deficiency. The study also noted the need for accurate methods to assess root surface area due to potential analytical errors caused by dense root hairs.