A Review on Plant Root Architecture and Methods for Measuring Root Growth Parameters

Abstract

The longitudinal arrangement of root systems, as well as length, diameter, and hairs are referred to as root architecture. Plant root system plays key role in regulating plant growth and development. Root tuber crops (RTCs) that are vegetatively propagated offer food security for enormous populations. Root morphology is affected by soil, climatic, and plant factors. Parameters normally used to express root growth and distributions are root number, weight, surface area, volume, diameter, length, and the number of tips. A number of factors have been examined to influence root- shoot ratio; examples are deprivation of Nitrogen, and low supplies of Phosphorus, Potassium, and Magnesium. Most methods for measuring root growth parameter is labour intensive. Hence, new and improved methods for measuring root growth in-situ have now been developed. Researches in crop physiology are always in progress. Hence, crop physiologists should keep themselves abreast of the most recent findings in their field of specialization.