Plant root systems are essential for crop growth. The primary root is the first organ of a plant to develop when a seed germinates. Root architecture anchors the plant in soil, ensuring its stability, and is responsible for water and nutrient absorption, conductance of mineral salts and organic substances to the leaves, as well as photosynthesis products back from the leaves to the root system. Root systems determine the ingredients for photosynthesis and ultimately of the harvested products. The interaction of plant roots with their surrounding soil environment has a significant impact on the quantity and quality of crop produce. Though it contributes to agricultural yield, below-ground research of root systems is still underrepresented compared to above-ground research. Therefore, further study of crop roots systems is essential to obtain more resilient plants in future breeding programs.
The root system is a vital part of the plant. Understanding how roots function and interact with their biological, chemical, and physical surroundings (and vice versa) is key to sustaining agricultural yield. Root system traits have long been targeted by scientists for crop improvement. For example, researchers have been looking for optimal root development that may help plants use water more efficiently, better tolerate drought conditions, and survive flood conditions. The habits of roots are specific to every plant, governed by the hereditary growth characters of a species. For example, maize has a coarse fibrous root system that spreads widely, however, there are fundamental difference in the root systems of various inbred strains of maize. This Research Topic explores the root systems of staple crops (including maize, barley, wheat, rye, etc.) and their interaction with the environment, and how these findings can be used to increase crop yield potential and actual yield.
This Research Topic welcomes all research article and reviews that cover the following:
• Crop plant root systems (not exclusive to the Poaceae)
- Basic research (e.g. molecular studies, identification of mutants, etc.)
- Applied research (e.g. seed treatments in field studies)
• The interaction of crop roots with their environment:
- Impact of physical, chemical, and/or biological surrounding on root systems
- Impact of root systems on their physical, chemical, and/or biological surrounding
- Sterile vs non-sterile conditions for trait heritability
- Phenotyping techniques targeting root-environment interaction
Plant root systems are essential for crop growth. The primary root is the first organ of a plant to develop when a seed germinates. Root architecture anchors the plant in soil, ensuring its stability, and is responsible for water and nutrient absorption, conductance of mineral salts and organic substances to the leaves, as well as photosynthesis products back from the leaves to the root system. Root systems determine the ingredients for photosynthesis and ultimately of the harvested products. The interaction of plant roots with their surrounding soil environment has a significant impact on the quantity and quality of crop produce. Though it contributes to agricultural yield, below-ground research of root systems is still underrepresented compared to above-ground research. Therefore, further study of crop roots systems is essential to obtain more resilient plants in future breeding programs.
The root system is a vital part of the plant. Understanding how roots function and interact with their biological, chemical, and physical surroundings (and vice versa) is key to sustaining agricultural yield. Root system traits have long been targeted by scientists for crop improvement. For example, researchers have been looking for optimal root development that may help plants use water more efficiently, better tolerate drought conditions, and survive flood conditions. The habits of roots are specific to every plant, governed by the hereditary growth characters of a species. For example, maize has a coarse fibrous root system that spreads widely, however, there are fundamental difference in the root systems of various inbred strains of maize. This Research Topic explores the root systems of staple crops (including maize, barley, wheat, rye, etc.) and their interaction with the environment, and how these findings can be used to increase crop yield potential and actual yield.
This Research Topic welcomes all research article and reviews that cover the following:
• Crop plant root systems (not exclusive to the Poaceae)
- Basic research (e.g. molecular studies, identification of mutants, etc.)
- Applied research (e.g. seed treatments in field studies)
• The interaction of crop roots with their environment:
- Impact of physical, chemical, and/or biological surrounding on root systems
- Impact of root systems on their physical, chemical, and/or biological surrounding
- Sterile vs non-sterile conditions for trait heritability
- Phenotyping techniques targeting root-environment interaction