Table 1.
Summary of the root system architecture related traits and their measurements
| Classification | Trait | Abbreviation | Measurement and description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Length of the primary root | PRL | Measured using a ruler |
| Lateral root number | TNL_P | Count of lateral roots from the first emerged lateral root on the primary root | |
| Lateral root density | PLD | TNL_P/PRL; primary lateral roots/primary root length | |
| Total lateral root length | PLL | TRL – TSL – PRL; total root length ‐ total seminal length – primary root length | |
| Average lateral root length | ALL | PLL/TNL_P; primary lateral root length/number of lateral roots | |
| Axile and lateral length | PAL | PRL + PLL; length of primary axile root and its lateral roots | |
| Lateral root length proportion | PLP | PLL/PAL; primary lateral root length/primary axile and lateral length | |
| Seminal | Seminal root number | SRN | Count of the axile seminal roots |
| Total seminal root length | TSL | Total length of axile seminal roots | |
| Average seminal root length | SRL_S | TSL/SRN; total seminal root length/seminal root number | |
| Lateral root number | TNL_S | Count of the lateral roots on the seminal roots | |
| Lateral root density | SLD | TNL_S/TSL; seminal lateral roots/total seminal root length | |
| Axile and lateral root length | SAL | Length of seminal axile root(s) and their lateral roots | |
| Total lateral root length | STL | SAL – TSL; seminal axile and lateral length ‐ total seminal root length | |
| Average lateral root length | SLL | STL/TNL_S; total lateral root length/number of lateral roots | |
| Lateral proportion | SLP | STL/SAL; seminal lateral root length/seminal axile and lateral length | |
| Total | Total root length | TRL | Length of the whole root system |
| Total seedling shoot dry weight | SDW | Weight of the dried seedling shoot to 1/10 000 g | |
| Total seedling root dry weight | RDW | Weight of the dried seedling root to 1/10 000 g | |
| Total root dry weight to total shoot dry weight ratio | RSR | RDW/SDW; total root dry weight/total shoot dry weight | |
| Total axile root length | ARL | PRL + TSL; length of primary and all seminal roots, not including lateral roots | |
| Total lateral root length | LRL | TRL – ARL; total root length ‐ total axile root length | |
| Lateral proportion | TLP | LRL/ARL; total lateral root length/total axile and lateral length | |
| Average specific root length | SRL_T | RDW/TRL; Root mass divided by total root length |