Inheritance of Main Root Traits of Tolerance to Low Potassium in Maize Inbred Lines

Two contrasting maize inbred lines,90-21-3(tolerant to low potassium) vs.D937(sensitive to low potassium),and their F1,F2,BC1,BC2 generations were analyzed for their main root traits.The results showed that total root length and root surface area had high heritability,with narrow heritability of 63.05% and 44.47%,respectively.Total root length and root surface area were quantitative trait controlled by polygene with major genes expected.Root volum,root average diameter,root dry weight and K contents in root were relatively low,meaning that these traits were obviously affected by environment.