The configuration of the seminal roots of Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae).

The seminal root system of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is composed of the primary seminal root, the first pair of seminal roots, and the second pair of seminal roots, which are known to grow in different directions. The direction of root growth, which can be expressed by theta (the angle between the root and the plumb line) and phi (the angle between the root and a vertical plane including the primary seminal root), was studied with special attention to the latter. It was measured on seedlings grown in a small hemispherical soil-filled mesh basket. There were varietal differences in the phi of the first pair of roots (phi f) and in the phi of the second pair of roots (phi s). phi f and phi s were significantly correlated. The mean distance (MD), a measure to evaluate the efficiency of root spacing, was correlated with the difference between phi f and phi s. Neither experimentally applied low soil water potential nor the excision of the primary seminal root affected phi. When the grain was sown vertically with the tip of the embryo pointing downwards, it was found that the growth movement into a direction different from the plumb line and phi s was greatly modified. It is suggested that certain internal mechanisms, possibly involving gravitropic reactions, are operating to control the direction of root growth. The significance of root growth direction at the seedling stage is discussed.