Chemical Genomics: A Fruitful Strategy to Unravel Root System Architecture Plasticity

Abstract

Plant roots are crucial for nutrient and water uptake, which are usually a limiting factor in many lands, becoming critical components of the overall plant productivity. Controlling root system architecture (RSA) is fundamental to respond to changing environmental conditions and therefore critical for plant survival. The RSA is determined by endogenous factors as well as soil conditions, rhizosphere microorganisms and many environmental stresses like drought, flooding, heat and low nutrient availability. Root branching through lateral root formation increases the total surface area allowing the plant to explore the soil environment. Thus, root branching plays a major contribution to the adaptability. Therefore, the study and further understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating root development and modifications of the RSA is essential for improvement of crop yields.