Impact of water deficit intensity on durum wheat seminal roots.

Experiments were performed under controlled conditions to study seminal roots traits of durum wheat genotypes grown under four water conditions. Seminal root length, root-to-shoot dry matters ratio and piliferous layer cell size were measured. Root volume was assessed at three soil depths. Water stress has affected significantly root traits and piliferous layer cell size and this impact depends on its intensity. Severe water stress reduced markedly root traits. Water treatment by genotype interaction was observed. Middle-East genotypes responded differently from Algerian ones. Our results and those obtained elsewhere on the same genotypes for other physiological traits are discussed.