Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system

Benson Nyongesa

Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) deficiency remains a significant constraint to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) productivity, particularly in smallholder farming systems with limited access to fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate root system architecture (RSA) plasticity among improved sorghum varieties under contrasting P conditions to identify varieties with superior P-foraging traits for low-input systems. Eight sorghum varieties were grown under low (5.38 mg/kg) and high (50 mg/kg) P levels, and their root traits were characterized using high-resolution imaging and RhizoVision analysis. Six RSA traits: total root length (TRL), number of root tips (NRT), branching points (NBP), surface area (SA), root diameter (AD), and root volume (RV), were analyzed in this study. Analysis of variance revealed significant variety (V), Phosphorus (P), and V × P interaction effects (p < 0.001) for all traits. Under low P, varieties showed enhanced RSA expression: TRL increased by 58%, NRT by 142%, NBP by 210%, SA by 89%, and RV by 133%, while AD declined by 32%, indicating strategic carbon investment in absorptive roots. Notably, KARI Mtama 1 exhibited constitutive robustness, while T30b demonstrated exceptional plasticity. TRL, SA, NA, NRT, and RV had over 74% of heritability, demonstrating strong genetic control. These findings underline RSA plasticity as a key adaptive strategy for nutrient acquisition, providing valuable breeding targets for P-efficient cultivars. Integrating these traits into breeding programs can enhance P-use efficiency, with KARI Mtama 1 and T30b serving as donor parents for developing elite sorghum lines suited to low P conditions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

20-085

Ethical Statement

This study was exempted from ethical review and approval because the study did not involve human clinical trials or animal experiments. The Ethics and Review Committee of the University of Eldoret approved the study.

References

Anderson JM, Ingram JAI. 1993. Tropical soil biology and fertility. Wallingford: CAB.
Adu, M. O., Zigah, N., Yawson, D. O., Amoah, K. K., Afutu, E., Atiah, K., Darkwa, A. A., Asare, P. A. (2023.). Plasticity of root hair and rhizosheath traits and their relationship to phosphorus uptake in Sorghum. Plant Direct, 7: e521 1:22, https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.521
Bernardino, K. C., Pastina, M. M., Menezes, C. B., de Sousa, S. M., Maciel, L. S., Carvalho Jr, G., Guimarães, C. T., Barros, B. A., da Costa e Silva, L., Carneiro, P. C. S., Schaffert, R. E., Kochian, L. V., Magalhães, J. V. (2019). The genetic architecture of phosphorus efficiency in Sorghum involves pleiotropic QTL for root morphology and grain yield under low phosphorus availability in the soil. BMC Plant Biology, 19(1), 475.
Enyew, M., Geleta, M., Feyissa, T., Hammenhag, C., Tesfaye, K., Seyoum, A., Carlsson, A. S. (2023). Sorghum genotypes grown in simple rhizotrons display wide variation in root system architecture traits. Plant and Soil. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-06373-0
FAOSTAT (2022). https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#home
Freschet, G. T., Roumet, C. (2017). Sampling roots to capture plant and soil functions. Functional Ecology, 31(8), 1506–1518. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12934
Gemenet, D. C., Leiser, W. L., Beggi, F., Herrmann, L. H., Vadez, V., Rattunde, H. F. W., Weltzien, E., Hash, C. T., Buerkert, A., Haussmann, B. I. G. (2016). Overcoming phosphorus deficiency in West African pearl millet and sorghum production systems: Promising options for crop improvement. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 1389. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01389
Gladman, N., Hufnagel, B., Regulski, M., Liu, Z., Wang, X., Chougule, K., Kochian, L., Magalhães, J., Ware, D. (2022). Sorghum root epigenetic landscape during limiting phosphorus conditions. Plant Direct, 6(5), Article e393. https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.393

Holz, M., Zarebanadkouki, M., Bernard, P., Hoffmann, M., Dubbert, M. (2024). Root and rhizosphere traits for enhanced water and nutrient uptake efficiency in dynamic environments. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1403958. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1403958
Hufnagel, B., Bernardino, K. C., Malosetti, M., Sousa, S. M., Silva, L. A., Guimaraes, C. T., Coelho, A. M., Santos, T. T., Viana, J. H. M., Schaffert, R. E., Kochian, L. V., Eeuwijk, F. A., Magalhaes, J. V. (2024). Multi-trait association mapping for phosphorous efficiency reveals flexible root architectures in Sorghum. BMC Plant Biology, 24(1), 562. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05183-5
IBM Corp. (2015). IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows (Version 23.0) [Computer software]. IBM Corp.
Jackson, M. L. (1962). Soil chemical analysis (pp. 151–153). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Kebede, A., Barka, G. D., Kebede, M., Menamo, T. M., Tadesse, T. (2025). Phenotypic analysis of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] genotypes for drought responsive traits. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 11(1), 2454984 Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service [KEPHIS]. (2024). National crop variety list: 2024 edition. Nairobi, Kenya.
Khalifa, M., Eltahir, E. A. B. (2023, June 23). Assessment of global sorghum production, tolerance, and climate risk. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7: 1184373. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1184373
Khoddami, A., Messina, V., Vadabalija Venkata, K., Farahnaky, A., Blanchard, C. L., Roberts, T. H. (2021). Sorghum in foods: Functionality and potential in innovative products. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(9), 1170–1186. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.196079
Kihara, J., Njoroge, S. (2013). Phosphorus agronomic efficiency in maize-based cropping systems: A focus on western Kenya. Field Crops Research, 150, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.05.010
Kisinyo, P. O., Othieno, C. O., Gudu, S. O., Okalebo, J. R., Opala, P. A., Ng'etich, W. K., Opile, W. R. (2014). Immediate and residual effects of lime and phosphorus fertilizer on soil acidity and maize production in western Kenya. Experimental Agriculture, 50(1), 128–143. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479713000217
Lee, S., Choi, Y.-M., Shin, M.-J., Yoon, H., Wang, X., Lee, Y., Yi, J., Jeon, Y.-A., Desta, K. T. (2023). Exploring the potentials of sorghum genotypes: A comprehensive study on nutritional qualities, functional metabolites, and antioxidant capacities. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1238729. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1238729
Liaqat, H., Adnan, M., Batool, S., Saeed, Q., Mukhtar, T., Yousaf, M. N., Ahmad, S., Shahid, M., Ejaz, S., Akhtar, N. (2024). Sorghum: A star crop to combat abiotic stresses, food insecurity, and hunger under a changing climate: A review. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 24(1), 293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01607-7
Lopez-Bucio, J., Hernández-Abreu, E., Sánchez-Calderón, L., Nieto-Jacobo, M. F., Simpson, J., Herrera-Estrella, L. (2002). Phosphate availability alters architecture and causes changes in hormone sensitivity in the Arabidopsis root system. Plant Physiology, 129, 244–256. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.010934
Lynch, J. P. (2011). Root phenes for enhanced soil exploration and phosphorus acquisition: Tools for future crops. Plant Physiology, 156(3), 1041–1049. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.111.175414
Marsalis, M. A., Angadi, S. V., Contreras-Govea, F. E. (2010). Dry matter yield and nutritive value of corn, forage sorghum, and BMR forage sorghum at different plant populations and nitrogen rates. Field Crops Research, 116, 52–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2009.11.009
Mathew, I., Shimelis, H. (2022). Genetic analyses of root traits: Implications for environmental adaptation and new variety development: A review. Plant Breeding, 141(6), 683–702. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.13049
Mason, S. C., Kathol, D., Eskridge, K. M., Galusha, T. D. (2008). Yield increase has been more rapid for maize than for grain sorghum. Crop Science, 48, 1560–1568. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2007.09.0529
Mikwa, E. O., Wittkop, B., Windpassinger, S. M., Weber, S. E., Ehrhardt, D., Snowdon, R. J. (2024). Early exposure to phosphorus starvation induces genetically determined responses in Sorghum bicolor roots. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 137(220). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-024-04728-4
Nelson, D. W., Sommers, L. E. (1982). Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties (2nd ed., pp. 539–579). Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy.
Okalebo, J. R., Othieno, C. O., Woomer, P. L., Karanja, N. K., Semoka, J. R. M., Bekunda, M. A., Mugendi, D. N., Muasya, R. M., Bationo, A., Mukhwana, E. J. (2006). Available technologies to replenish soil fertility in East Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 76, 153–170
Parra-Londono, S., Kavka, M., Samans, B., Snowdon, R., Wieckhorst, S., Uptmoor, R., Ordon, F. (2018). Sorghum root-system classification in contrasting phosphorus supply by combining morphological and anatomical traits. Annals of Botany, 121(2), 267–280. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcx148
Péret, B., Desnos, T., Jost, R., Kanno, S., Berkowitz, O., Nussaume, L. (2014). Root architecture responses: In search of phosphate. Plant Physiology, 166, 1713–1723. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.114.244541
Pregitzer, K. S. (2002). Fine roots of trees – A new perspective. New Phytologist, 154(2), 267–270.
Rajamanickam, V., Vinod, K. K., Vengavasi, K., Kumar, T., Chinnusamy, V., Pandey, R. (2024). Root architectural adaptations to phosphorus deficiency: Unraveling genotypic variability in wheat seedlings. Agriculture, 14(3), 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030447
Ricker-Gilbert, J. (2020). Inorganic fertilizer use among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for input subsidy policies. In S. Gomez y Paloma, L. Riesgo, & K. Louhichi (Eds.), The role of smallholder farms in food and nutrition security (pp. 81–98). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42148-9_5
Ristova, D., Busch, W. (2014). Natural variation of root traits: From development to nutrient uptake. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 59, 102001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2020.102001
Sagnon, A., Traore, M., Tibiri, E. B., et al. (2024). Enhancing the use of phosphate rock through microbially-mediated compost transformation to improve agronomic and economic profitability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, 1445683. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1445683
Sahrawat, K. L. (1987). Determination of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese in plant tissue using a dilute HCl extraction method. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 18(9), 947–962.
Schulze, J., Temple, G., Temple, S. J., Beschow, H., Vance, C. P. (2006). Nitrogen fixation by white lupin under phosphorus deficiency. Annals of Botany, 98, 731–740. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcl154
Seethepalli, A., Dhakal, K., Griffiths, M., Guo, H., Freschet, G. T., York, L. M. (2021). RhizoVision Explorer: Open-source software for root image analysis and measurement standardization. Plant Phenomics, 2021, Article 9846263. https://doi.org/10.34133/2021/9846263
Silva, K. J., Santos, C. V., Menezes, C. B., de Sousa, S. M. (2024). Sorghum hybrids grown in hydroponics contrast for phosphorus use efficiency. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 84, e253083. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.253083
Silveira, T. C., Pegoraro, R. F., Kondo, M. K., Portugal, A. F., Resende, A. V. (2018). Sorghum yield after liming and combinations of phosphorus sources. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 22, 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v22n4p243-248
Soltanpour, P. N., Workman, S. (1979). Modification of the NaHCO₃-DTPA soil test to omit carbon black. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 10(11), 1411–1420.
Umakanth, A. V., Kumar, A. A., Vermerris, W., Tonapi, V. A. (2019). Chapter 16 - Sweet sorghum for biofuel industry. In Breeding sorghum for diversified end uses. 255-270. Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition
Wu, Q., Pagès L., Wu, J. (2016). Relationships between root diameter, root length and root branching along lateral roots in adult, field-grown maize. Annal of Botany, 117(3) 379-390. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcv185.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Benson Nyongesa ^*
0000-0003-4860-8966
Kenya

Early Pub Date

November 28, 2025

Publication Date

December 26, 2025

Submission Date

July 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 24, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Nyongesa, B. (2025). Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system. International Journal of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences, 9(2), 65-72. https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ

AMA

1.Nyongesa B. Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system. Int J Agric For Life Sci. 2025;9(2):65-72. https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ

Chicago

Nyongesa, Benson. 2025. “Root System Plasticity Enhances Phosphorus Acquisition in Sorghum for a Low-Input Farming System”. International Journal of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences 9 (2): 65-72. https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ.

EndNote

Nyongesa B (December 1, 2025) Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system. International Journal of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences 9 2 65–72.

IEEE

[1]B. Nyongesa, “Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system”, Int J Agric For Life Sci, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 65–72, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ

ISNAD

Nyongesa, Benson. “Root System Plasticity Enhances Phosphorus Acquisition in Sorghum for a Low-Input Farming System”. International Journal of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences 9/2 (December 1, 2025): 65-72. https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ.

JAMA

1.Nyongesa B. Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system. Int J Agric For Life Sci. 2025;9:65–72.

MLA

Nyongesa, Benson. “Root System Plasticity Enhances Phosphorus Acquisition in Sorghum for a Low-Input Farming System”. International Journal of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences, vol. 9, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 65-72, https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ.

Vancouver

1.Benson Nyongesa. Root system plasticity enhances phosphorus acquisition in sorghum for a low-input farming system. Int J Agric For Life Sci [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;9(2):65-72. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA72LH77LZ