Root anatomy and soil resource capture

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