Understanding and exploiting the genetics of plant root traits

This chapter illustrates how genomics and other -omics approaches coupled with new-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have been deployed to dissect the genetic make-up of RSA traits and better understand their functions, particularly under environmentally constrained conditions that commonly occur in most farmed soils. The major emphasis is devoted to studies during the past two decades in crops and only occasional reference is provided to the vast literature from RSA studies conducted in Arabidopsis and other model plants. The chapter also provides examples on how, in some cases, this knowledge is already benefiting farmers and how it can help in reducing the environmental impact of agriculture worldwide.