Aeroponics in the characterization of the root system of eucalyptus

Lúcio Mauro da Silva Guimarães; Thaissa de Paula Farias Soares; Antonio Carlos da Mota Porto; João Lucas Pacheco Machado Silva; Matheus Perek; José Mateus Wisniewski Gonsalves; Anselmo Azevedo dos Santos; Ana Cristina Camargo Therezo Pinheiro; Reginaldo Gonçalves Mafia; Edival Ângelo Valverde Zauza; Rodrigo Neves Graça

doi:10.53661/1806-9088202650263902

Authors

Lúcio Mauro da Silva Guimarães Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene - Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1397-8086
Thaissa de Paula Farias Soares Suzano S.A. (Forest Management), Jacareí, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4220-9438
Antonio Carlos da Mota Porto Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene - Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8229-0149
João Lucas Pacheco Machado Silva Suzano S.A. (Genetics and Forest Breeding), Jacareí, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6998-6394
Matheus Perek Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0919-6874
José Mateus Wisniewski Gonsalves Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene - Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0482-3189
Anselmo Azevedo dos Santos Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene - Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3564-0162
Ana Cristina Camargo Therezo Pinheiro Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene - Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8778-7234
Reginaldo Gonçalves Mafia Suzano S.A. (Forest Management), Jacareí, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2408-5531
Edival Ângelo Valverde Zauza Suzano S.A. (Forest Management), Jacareí, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8322-7689
Rodrigo Neves Graça Suzano S.A. (FuturaGene - Biotech Division), Itapetininga, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3395-2859

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53661/1806-9088202650263902

Keywords:

Plant breeding, Drought tolerance, Water relations

Abstract

Understanding the root system of plants is essential for improving productivity and resilience, particularly under water-deficit conditions. Despite its recognized importance, root system characterization in eucalyptus has been limited. This study presents a fast and accurate method for evaluating root biomass in eucalyptus seedlings and cuttings using an aeroponic system. Custom-built aeroponic boxes equipped with external drip irrigation and internal fogger systems were developed to accommodate 90-day-old seedlings/cuttings. Initially, the optimal number of replications for aeroponic experiments was determined using 12 vegetatively propagated Eucalyptus spp. clones. This optimization enhanced experimental precision and reproducibility. Subsequently, root system of 23 clonal genotypes and seedlings from seven Eucalyptus spp. species were characterized. After 50 days in the aeroponic system, the following root parameters were evaluated: dry weight, length, and number of roots. Among these, dry root biomass showed the greatest variation among clones, making it a key trait for genotype differentiation. For seed-derived seedlings, root length, as a non-destructive characteristic, makes it possible to select and maintain the superior genotypes in the Breeding Program. This study demonstrates that early root phenotyping using aeroponics is a valuable approach for identifying productive and drought-tolerant eucalyptus clones and species, contributing to more efficient and resilient forestry practices.

Keywords: Plant breeding; Drought tolerance; Water relations