Extensive root systems as well as root hairs are essential for the absorption of nutrients from soil and particularly those nutrients that are poorly mobile such as phosphorus. We have identified significant genotypic variation in root hair length in wheat grown in acid and neutral soils as one trait contributing to phosphorus use efficiency (PUE).

The overall aims of this project are to: (i) identify genetic markers for PUE in wheat in acid and neutral soils with a focus on long root hair traits; and (ii) assess the benefit that PUE quantitative trait locus have on grain yields of wheat. Although root hairs are a focus of the proposal, analysis of wheat lines for PUE in the field extends the scope of the project to encompass the contribution that other root traits and grain P concentrations have on PUE.