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Three factors that directly affect the water inputs in cropping systems are root architecture, length of the growing season, and stomatal conductance to water vapor (g_s). Deeper‐rooted cultivars will perform better under water‐limited conditions because they can access water stored deeper in the soil profile. Reduced g_s limits transpiration rate (E) and thus throughout the vegetative phase conserves water that may be used during grain filling in water‐limited environments. Additionally, growing early‐maturing varieties in regions that rely on soil‐stored water is a key water management strategy. To further our understanding of the genetic basis underlying root depth, growing season length, and g_s we conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) study. A QTL for crown root angle (a proxy for root depth) new to sorghum was identified in chromosome 3. For g_s, a QTL in chromosome seven was identified. In a follow‐up field …