Root system architecture in cereals: exploring different perspectives of the hidden half

Abstract

Roots are important organs associated with water and nutrient uptake from soil to all the plant parts. Besides plant metabolite storage organ, it also provides anchorage and mechanical support. The root “hidden half” plays a decisive role in root system architecture trait to affect grain yield and abiotic stress tolerance. Genetic study of root trait harbored due to the complex nature of root and unavailability of the rhizosphere. Identification of root system architecture provides a basic understanding of plant fitness, crop performance and grain yield. With increasing interest in root phenotyping, breeders overcome these barriers through the development of advanced phenotyping platforms based on field, laboratories and greenhouses such as soil coring, hydroponics, GLO-roots, rhizotron and mini-rhizotron. The advanced 2-D, 3-D and 4-D root imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance technique, RGB imaging, infrared thermal imaging and X-ray computed tomography are complex, but it gives the most desirable and accurate results to understand the root system architecture. This review focused on root architecture studies methods for root phenotyping using advanced recent techniques.