SCREENING FOR ROOT BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT WHEAT AND WILD GENOTYPES

Significant amount of root biomass was present in the top layer of soil. According to this, average root biomasses of 39 genotypes were 50.3% in 30 cm, 62.0% in 60 cm and 73.8% in 90 cm. Wheat genotypes and wild relatives showed apparent genetic variability for root biomass distribution (RBD). In 30, 60 and 90 cm root lengths, maximum values were obtained from Yellowstone with 73.7% in 0-30 cm, Tamaroi with 85.4 % in 0-60 cm and 92.1% in 0-90 cm, respectively, while minimum values were taken from Iza with 25.9% in 0-30 cm, Ribasa 1 with 44.5 and 58.5% in 0-60 cm and 0-90 cm, respectively. Cultivars grown in a large area generally indicated large RBD in top soil, while genotypes such as T. monococcum (Kelycras, Iza), landraces (Ribasa 1, Ribasa 2) and cultivars (Gerek 79, Kunduru 1149) grown in decreasing harvested area showed small RBD.