Plant root growth, architecture and function

TY - JOUR

T1 - Plant root growth, architecture and function

AU - Hodge, Angela

AU - Berta, Graziella

AU - Doussan, Claude

AU - Merchan, Francisco

AU - Crespi, Martin

PY - 2009/8

Y1 - 2009/8

N2 - Without roots there would be no rhizosphere and no rhizodeposition to fuel microbial activity. Although micro-organisms may view roots merely as a source of carbon supply this belies the fascinating complexity and diversity of root systems that occurs despite their common function. Here, we examine the physiological and genetic determinants of root growth and the complex, yet varied and flexible, root architecture that results. The main functions of root systems are also explored including how roots cope with nutrient acquisition from the heterogeneous soil environment and their ability to form mutualistic associations with key soil micro-organisms (such as nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi) to aid them in their quest for nutrients. Finally, some key biotic and abiotic constraints on root development and function in the soil environment are examined and some of the adaptations roots have evolved to counter such stresses discussed.

AB - Without roots there would be no rhizosphere and no rhizodeposition to fuel microbial activity. Although micro-organisms may view roots merely as a source of carbon supply this belies the fascinating complexity and diversity of root systems that occurs despite their common function. Here, we examine the physiological and genetic determinants of root growth and the complex, yet varied and flexible, root architecture that results. The main functions of root systems are also explored including how roots cope with nutrient acquisition from the heterogeneous soil environment and their ability to form mutualistic associations with key soil micro-organisms (such as nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi) to aid them in their quest for nutrients. Finally, some key biotic and abiotic constraints on root development and function in the soil environment are examined and some of the adaptations roots have evolved to counter such stresses discussed.

KW - Root systems

KW - Auxin

KW - Root architecture

KW - Soil heterogeneity

KW - Abiotic and biotic stresses

KW - Soil micro-organisms (including nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi)

KW - ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

KW - RICE ORYZA-SATIVA

KW - RADIAL OXYGEN LOSS

KW - ALLIUM-PORRUM L

KW - PSEUDOMONAS-FLUORESCENS A6RI

KW - ENRICHED SOIL PATCHES

KW - WHITE LUPIN ROOTS

KW - STEM-CELL NICHE

KW - ZEA-MAYS L

KW - ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70350101522&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11104-009-9929-9

DO - 10.1007/s11104-009-9929-9

M3 - Literature review

SN - 0032-079X

VL - 321

SP - 153

EP - 187

JO - PLANT AND SOIL

JF - PLANT AND SOIL

IS - 1-2

ER -