In theory, root systems of future wheat cultivars could be optimised to enhance soil resource capture and improve both productivity and sustainable production. However, most breeding programs select for root traits due to several reasons: direct selection is laborious; there is a lack of reliable and robust markers, and a high degree of plasticity under complex genetic and environmental control. Furthermore, despite considerable phenotypic diversity for root traits identified using phenotyping under controlled conditions, the role of these traits to support yield in different environments is yet to be quantified. To explore the value of specific root traits, we developed introgression lines with different configurations of root angle and root biomass in four elite wheat backgrounds using an innovative single plant selection technique. Importantly, the lines were selected for divergent root traits while maintaining similar above-ground characteristics, such as flowering time and plant height, which influence the timing of water-use and carbon partitioning. In 2021, the lines were evaluated in a field experiment at Gatton, Queensland. Integrated root and shoot phenotyping were performed to 1) validate and characterise changes to root distribution, and 2) gain new insights into the relationships between above- and below-ground development. Extensive root coring of the introgression lines identified lines with significantly altered root distributions in each genetic background. Notably, several introgression lines in each of the backgrounds displayed significantly different root distributions but maintained similar above-ground development. This highlights the opportunity to tailor root-shoot trait combinations for specific environments. Results also highlight the potential for breeders and researchers to target UAV-derived canopy traits as ‘proxy traits’ to support indirect selection for root traits. Finally, we explored the value associated with the root traits by yield testing the introgression lines at 12 sites across the Australian wheat-belt in partnership with LongReach Plant Breeders. Our multi-environment trial analyses provide new insights into GxE for yield and the potential of root traits to improve yield potential and stability. The introgression lines provide valuable genetic resources for the wheat community to further study the value of root systems in different production scenarios.