Root anatomy and soil resource capture

• Published in: Plant and soil Vol. 466; no. 1/2; pp. 21 - 63
• Main Authors: Lynch, Jonathan P., Strock, Christopher F., Schneider, Hannah M., Sidhu, Jagdeep Singh, Ajmera, Ishan, Galindo-Castañeda, Tania, Klein, Stephanie P., Hanlon, Meredith T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer Science + Business Media 01.09.2021; Springer International Publishing; Springer; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Nature
• Subjects: Agriculture; Analysis; Anatomy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biota; Carbon sequestration; Climate change; computer simulation; Costs; Crop improvement; Crop resilience; Crops; Cross cutting; Ecology; Freshwater resources; Genetic control; Germplasm; Growth; Image analysis; Image processing; Insects; Life Sciences; Marschner Review; MARSCHNER REVIEWS; Metabolism; microbiome; Microbiomes; Nutrient availability; Nutrients; Pathogens; Phenotype; Phenotypes; Phenotypic plasticity; Phenotypic variations; Plant breeding; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Rhizosphere; root anatomy; Roots (Botany); soil; soil biota; Soil fertility; Soil hardness; Soil microbiology; Soil microorganisms; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; United States; Switzerland; Water; Pathogens; Image analysis; Root; Insects; Mycorrhiza; Plasticity; Nutrients; Anatomy; Transport; Carbon sequestration; Modeling
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-021-05010-y

Background Suboptimal water and nutrient availability are primary constraints in global agriculture. Root anatomy plays key roles in soil resource acquisition. In this article we summarize evidence that root anatomical phenotypes present opportunities for crop breeding. Scope Root anatomical phenotypes influence soil resource acquisition by regulating the metabolic cost of soil exploration, exploitation of the rhizosphere, the penetration of hard soil domains, the axial and radial transport of water, and interactions with soil biota including mycorrhizal fungi, pathogens, insects, and the rhizosphere microbiome. For each of these topics we provide examples of anatomical phenotypes which merit attention as selection targets for crop improvement. Several cross-cutting issues are addressed including the importance of phenotypic plasticity, integrated phenotypes, C sequestration, in silico modeling, and novel methods to phenotype root anatomy including image analysis tools. Conclusions An array of anatomical phenes have substantial importance for the acquisition of water and nutrients. Substantial phenotypic variation exists in crop germplasm. New tools and methods are making it easier to phenotype root anatomy, determine its genetic control, and understand its utility for plant fitness. Root anatomical phenotypes are underutilized yet attractive breeding targets for the development of the efficient, resilient crops urgently needed in global agriculture.