About this Research Topic

Background

The field of plant science has long been intrigued by the adaptive responses of roots to environmental cues. Due to their sessile nature, land plants have evolved intricate mechanisms to respond to ever-changing environmental conditions. Roots, being the primary source of water and nutrients, play a crucial role in anchoring plants and ensuring their survival. They are constantly exposed to a myriad of abiotic and biotic factors, necessitating a sophisticated system to perceive and integrate these signals for optimal plant health. Recent studies using model plant species have significantly advanced our understanding of root responses to individual environmental cues at the molecular level. However, the integration of multiple environmental factors by roots remains less understood compared to shoot responses. Addressing this gap is essential for developing resilient crops capable of thriving in diverse environments.

This research topic aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying how roots perceive and integrate multiple environmental cues simultaneously. Specifically, it seeks to elucidate how roots sense and respond to gravity, water, nutrients, and microbial interactions, all of which influence root system architecture. By investigating these processes, we aim to uncover how plants optimize their root systems in response to concurrent biotic and abiotic signals. Additionally, this research will highlight advances in methodologies that allow for the visualization and quantitative analysis of root behavior, despite the challenges posed by their subterranean nature.

To gather further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying root responses to environmental cues, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Response of roots to simultaneous environmental stimulants, with special emphasis on its importance in plant resilience
- Molecular mechanisms of root responses to multiple environmental signals
- Molecular mechanisms regarding the perception of environmental signals and/or conversion of physical or chemical signals into biological signals
- Innovative methodologies that visualize and/or enable quantitative analyses of root behavior

Research using both model and non-model plants is encouraged. However, manuscripts containing purely confirmatory data, descriptive findings, or rehashed research using other plant species will not be considered for review.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: adaptive responses, plant nutrition, abiotic and biotic stress, crops, plant roots, plant physiology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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