Root system architecture variability and nitrate reductase activity in wheat

• Pakistan is a developing country with high population growth rate. Overuses synthetic fertilizers to produce more food is detrimental to environment. Pakistan ranks 4 th in terms of nitrogen input, for wheat in 2014 average nitrogen input of 209kg Nha-1 was estimated about 64% higher than global average input rates of 127kgNha1.

• The estimated NUE of wheat in Pakistan is 0.35kg N yield per kg N input substantially lower than global average value of 0.71. Selection of nitrogen (N) efficient genotypes based on N assimilating enzymes and root architectural traits are among the strategies to achieve improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).