Table 1 Correlation analysis between root morphology and P starvation tolerance. Asterisks note statistically significant differences between control and treatment groups (P < 0.05), double asterisks note statistically significant differences between control and treatment groups (P < 0.01). Bars represent the standard error of the mean (n = 3)

Relative length of root

1

0.893^**/0.948^**

0.101/0.137

0.719^**/0.812^**

0.918^**/0.840^**

0.969^**/0.422^**

0.539^**/0.475^**

0.572^**/0.507^**

Relative surface area of root

0.893^**/0.948^**

1

0.486^**/0.435^**

0.953^**/0.954^**

0.695^**/0.694^**

0.977^**/0.529^**

0.591^**/0.552^**

0.521^**/0.578^**

Relative average diam of root

0.101/0.137

0.486^**/0.435^**

1

0.678^**/0.665^**

−0.129/−0.208

0.315/0.444^*

0.429^*/0.360

0.138/0.342

Relative volume of root

0.719^**/0.812^**

0.953^**/0.954^**

0.678^**/0.665^**

1

0.468^**/0.488^**

0.868^**/0.587^**

0.543^**/0.567^**

0.426^**/0.596^**

Relative number of root tips

0.918^**/0.840^**

0.695^**/0.694^**

−0.129/−0.208

0.468^**/0.488^**

1

0.821^**/0.405^*

0.485^**/0.495^**

0.542^**/0.524^**

Relative dry weight of root

0.969^**/0.422^**

0.977^**/0.529^**

0.315/0.444^*

0.868^**/0.587^**

0.821^**/0.405^*

1

0.582^**/0.647^**

0.560^**/0.687^**

Relative dry weight of shoot

0.539^**/0.475^**

0.591^**/0.552^**

0.429^*/0.360

0.543^**/0.567^**

0.485^**/0.495^**

0.582^**/0.647^**

1

0.797^**/0.876^**

Relative P content of shoot

0.572^**/0.507^**

0.521^**/0.578^**

0.138/0.342

0.426^**/0.596^**

0.542^**/0.524^**

0.560^**/0.687^**

0.797^**/0.876^**

1