Growth of Roots

The growth, development and function of plant roots in relation to plant productivity has been very difficult to evaluate, especially in natural field situations. Weaver (1926) and co-workers stated over 50 years ago that "An exact knowledge of the root development of crop plants, of their position, extent and activity as absorbers of water and solutes at various stages of growth is of paramount importance to a scientific understanding of plant production." The accumulation ofthis knowledge becomes more important as more crops are grown under adverse conditions and the need for production efficiency increases. This portion of the treatise on cotton physiology will concentrate specific<:wy v .. providing a general overview of root growth and development in cotton, methods of measurement, some factors affecting cotton root growth, and root/shoot relationships that affect productivity.