In the context of a recent massive increase in research on plant root functions and their
impact on the environment, root ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep …

Soil compaction is a serious global problem, and is a major cause of inadequate rooting and
poor yield in crops around the world. Root system architecture (RSA) describes the spatial …

Soil compaction caused by vehicular traffic adversely affects key soil functions and
ecosystem services that soils provide. Although compaction is a well-recognized problem, it …

The application of green manure is a traditional and valuable practice for agroecosystem
management. In northern China, the effects of green manure on production of the region's …

Ecosystem functioning relies heavily on below‐ground processes, which are largely
regulated by plant fine‐roots and their functional traits. However, our knowledge of fine‐root …

Greater exploitation of subsoil resources by annual crops would afford multiple benefits,
including greater water and N acquisition in most agroecosystems, and greater …

Root elongation in drying soil is generally limited by a combination of mechanical
impedance and water stress. Relationships between root elongation rate, water stress …

Water is the most limiting resource for global crop production. The projected increase of dry
spells due to climate change will further increase the problem of water limited crop yields …

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 …

Rice root growth encompasses a remarkable genetic diversity in terms of growth patterns,
architecture, and environmental adaptations. In order to harness this valuable diversity for …