Root Characteristics in Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.) Genotypes

Field experiment was conducted during rabi season of the year 2008–2009 at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri with thirteen sorghum varieties viz., RSV 827 (T₁), RSV 912 (T₂), RSV 1033 (T₃), RSV 1037 (T₄), RSV 1077 (T₅), BJV 74 (T₆), CRS 13 (T₇), CRS 14 (T₈), M-35-1 (T₉), Phule Maulee (T₁₀), Phule Vasudha (T₁₁), Phule Anuradha (T₁₂) and Phule Chitra (T₁₃) in randomized block design with two replications under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Root characters such as root number, root length, root volume and root dry weight had highest values in T₁₂ (Phule Anuradha), while lowest values differed with genotypes T₃ (RSV 1033), T₆(BJV 74), T₈(CRS 14) and T₁₁(Phule Vasudha). Under irrigated condition genotype T₄ (RSV 1037) had highest and genotype T₃ (RSV 1033) had lowest values for root characters.