Assessment of Genotypic Differences in Sorghum Root Characteristics NSeetharamaauthorD JFlowerauthorRJayachandranauthorK RKrishnaauthorJ MPeacockauthorSSinghauthorPSomanauthorA URaniauthorS PWaniauthorRepresentative data on genotypic differences in sorghum root characteristics are examined for prospective use in applied breeding programmes. Significant genotype differences in root characteristics observed are: root-length density at lower depths when the crop 15 grown on stored. soil moisture. root-shoot ratios early establishment of nodal Roots In seedlings, and microbial associations of roots. Four-fold genotypic differences root-shoot ratio were found at the seedling stage, but high ontogenic shifts negated these differences at later stages. Hence . sorghum breeding for efficient root systems should be confined to well- defined target environments with specific objectives. Sorghum1990Conference or Workshop Item