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Field phenotyping of potato to assess root and shoot characteristics associated with drought tolerance

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Abstract

Aims

Potatoes are a globally important source of food whose production requires large inputs of fertiliser and water. Recent research has highlighted the importance of the root system in acquiring resources. Here measurements, previously generated by field phenotyping, tested the effect of root size on maintenance of yield under drought (drought tolerance).

Methods

Twelve potato genotypes, including genotypes with extremes of root size, were grown to maturity in the field under a rain shelter and either irrigated or subjected to drought. Soil moisture, canopy growth, carbon isotope discrimination and final yields were measured. Destructively harvested field phenotype data were used as explanatory variables in a general linear model (GLM) to investigate yield under conditions of drought or irrigation.

Results

Drought severely affected the small rooted genotype Pentland Dell but not the large rooted genotype Cara. More plantlets, longer and more numerous stolons and stolon roots were associated with drought tolerance. Previously measured carbon isotope discrimination did not correlate with the effect of drought.

Conclusions

These data suggest that in-field phenotyping can be used to identify useful characteristics when known genotypes are subjected to an environmental stress. Stolon root traits were associated with drought tolerance in potato and could be used to select genotypes with resilience to drought.

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Abbreviations

GLM:

General linear model

SRL:

Specific root length

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Acknowledgments

We thank Lynda Spence for assistance with measurements of water relations. We also thank the James Hutton Institute field staff, particularly Euan Caldwell, for setting-up and maintenance of the field trials. The research was funded by the Scottish Government Work Package 1.7 “Profitable and sustainable agriculture” (2005–2011) and Work Package 3.3 “The soil, water and air interface and its response to climate and land use change” (2011–2016).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK

    Jane Wishart

  2. The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    Timothy S. George, Lawrie K. Brown, Philip J. White & Gavin Ramsay

  3. University of Dundee at The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    Hamlyn Jones

  4. East Malling Research, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK

    Peter J. Gregory

  5. Centre for Food Security, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK

    Peter J. Gregory

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  1. Jane Wishart
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  2. Timothy S. George
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  3. Lawrie K. Brown
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  4. Philip J. White
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Correspondence to Jane Wishart.

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Responsible Editor: John A. Kirkegaard.

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Wishart, J., George, T.S., Brown, L.K. et al. Field phenotyping of potato to assess root and shoot characteristics associated with drought tolerance. Plant Soil 378, 351–363 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2029-5

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