Biomass-based lateral root morphological parameter models for rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Lateral roots, including adventitious roots, are the main component of rapeseed roots with support, absorb, and synthesis functions and their morphological parameters directly affecting the plant's aboveground growth and yield. Root biomass, as a material base for lateral root growth, can be used as a link between plant phenotypes and their physiological processes, as well as to enhance root 3D growth model mechanisms and accuracy. To quantify the relationships between lateral root morphological indices and the corresponding organ biomass for rapeseed, we used two cultivars, NY 22 (conventional) and NZ 1818 (hybrid), and conducted cultivar and fertilizing cylindrical tube experiments during the 2016–2019, with two fertilizer levels, no fertilizer, and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ fertilizer. The lateral root biomass and morphological parameters were determined during the whole growth period. The biomass-based lateral root morphological parameter models were developed by analyzing the quantitative relationship between the lateral root morphological indices and their corresponding biomass, and the descriptive models were verified with independent experimental data. The results showed that the correlation (r) of simulated and observed values for the lateral root morphological parameters are all greater than 0.9 with significant levels at p < 0.001. The absolute values of the average absolute difference (d_a) of simulated and observed values for the lateral root length (L_LR), lateral root average diameter (AD_LR), lateral root surface area (SA_LR), and lateral root volume (V_LR) are −30.408 cm, −0.003 mm, 12.902 cm², and 0.039 cm³, respectively. The RMSE values are 175.183 cm, 0.010 mm, 59.710 cm², and 1.513 cm³, respectively. The ratio of d_a to the average observed values (d_ap) for the L_LR and V_LR are all less than 5%, and the AD_LR and SA_LR are all <6%. The models developed in this paper have good performance and reliability for predicting lateral root morphological parameters of rapeseed. The study provides a mechanistic method for linking the rapeseed growth model with the morphological model using corresponding organic biomass and laying a good foundation for establishing a 3D morphological model for rapeseed root system based on biomass.