Plant Root: Anatomy, Structure and Development

Dear Colleagues,

Plant roots are vital organs that not only anchor plants to the soil, but also support above-ground growth by absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. This Special Issue titled "Plant Root: Anatomy, Structure, and Development" aims to provide a platform for researchers, scholars, and scientists to delve into the diverse aspects of plant roots. The scope encompasses a wide range of topics, including root anatomy, cellular and tissue-level structures, molecular mechanisms governing root development, environmental interactions, and the ecological significance of roots in terrestrial ecosystems. Contributors are encouraged to explore both fundamental and applied aspects of plant roots, offering a holistic view of this essential plant organ.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of manuscripts, including original research, brief research reports, and review articles in (but not limited to) the following areas:

1. Root Anatomy and Morphology: Explore the diverse anatomical structures and morphological adaptations of plant roots.
2. Developmental Mechanisms: Investigate the molecular and genetic processes underlying root development.
3. Root–Environment Interactions: Examine how roots respond to and interact with their surrounding environment, including soil, microorganisms, and stress factors.
4. Root System Ecology: Explore the ecological roles of roots in nutrient cycling, soil stability, and ecosystem functioning.

Prof. Dr. Shuang Wu
Prof. Dr. Yu Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• root anatomy
• root structure
• root development
• root function
• meristem
• molecular mechanisms
• environmental interactions

Title: Root anatomical structures and morphology that contribute to plant productivity under non-biotic stress conditions: a review
Authors: Yuanyuan Fu1, Xiaolei Wu1, Penghui Li1, Shoutian Ma1, Zhuanyun Si1, Abdoul Kader Mounkaila Hamani2, Yang Gao1,3
Affiliation: 1 Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Xinxiang 453002, China; 2 College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China; 3 Institute of Western Agricultural, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, 831100, China;
Abstract: The role of geneticists and breeders is to develop plants with root traits that enhance productivity under different environmental conditions. However, there is a need for a better understanding of root functional traits and how these traits relate to overall plant strategies to improve crop yield under different environmental conditions. The root morphology that promotes high crop yield varies under different soil conditions. For example, under drought conditions, roots tend to grow deep with thin root diameter and high root length density. Under salt stress conditions, greater root length, root surface area, root volume and root dry weight are beneficial for high yield. Under drought conditions, the smaller diameter of the xylem vessels can store water from deeper layers of the soil, which can be used by the crop during critical periods of water demand, thereby increasing yield. However, key questions remain: which root traits provide the greatest benefit for plant growth, and under what conditions do they operate? Therefore, this article mainly provides an overview of root anatomy and root morphology that contribute to crop yield enhancement under abiotic stress conditions and points out directions for further research.