Phenotyping for Assessing Genotypic Variation in Phosphorus Use Efficiency

Phosphorus is a key element for improving yield and quality of crop plants. Since phosphorus is poorly available in the soil rhizosphere, phosphorus stress occurs in susceptible crop plants. Phosphorus use efficiency may be improved by adapting phenotyping characters such as root, shoot, plant height, canopy structure, rhizosphere, photosynthesis, chlorophyll contents, biomass, and leaf area index. Here we review sensors for plant phenotyping and applications. Phenotyping assessment can be done using red, green and blue wavelength cameras, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging cameras, and thermal infrared cameras. In some plants, young leaves, meristems, flowers, transfer approximately half of the phosphorus back to the xylem. The proliferation of the lateral and shallow roots in rice may enhance the exploration of inorganic phosphate in the topsoil. Many plant species use arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to promote foraging and access to phosphorus. Vegetative and physiological traits are closely linked to phosphorus use efficiency. Phosphorus-efficient genotypes can be used for developing crop varieties by plant breeding.