TY - THES A1 - Paschen, Blanca T1 - Differences in root morphology of modern wheat and barley varieties and their wild ancestors N2 - Sustainable agriculture requires plants which are able to absorb water and nutrients more efficiently to avoid losses and to reduce negative effects on the environment. Root traits are vitally important to fulfill these aims. Therefore, it is important to better understand root morphology of common cereals, such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and their wild relatives. Wild wheat and barley relatives have a superior root system and thus may provide a valuable biological resource for breeding stress tolerant cereals in the future. The objectives of this research were to characterize the variability of root traits among modern wheat and barley cultivars and their wild forms. Fifteen wheat and nine barley cultivars and wild forms were grown under optimal growth conditions without addition of nutrients in a greenhouse experiment. Cultivars and wild forms showed a high genetic variation in root morphology, as well as in shoot traits. Cultivars were divided into three domestication categories: wild forms, old cultivars and modern cultivars. A high variability while comparing cultivars at domestication level showed that it is a 4 weak predictor for root traits. A deep and large root system, high root length density and a high root to shoot ratio were identified as being beneficial traits for efficient nutrient and water uptake. T. aestivum var. tschermakianum, Aegilops cylindrica, H. vulgare hexastichon and H. lagunculiforme had highest values for these traits. Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-1948 ER -