Comprehensive review of key topics in root science, including root architecture, root growth regulators, root anatomy and nutrient acquisition

Part 1 Analysing root system architecture, growth and interactions with the rhizosphere1.Advances in root architectural modeling: Johannes A. Postma, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany; and Christopher K. Black, The Pennsylania State University, USA; 2.The development of crop root architecture and optimization of nutrition acquisition: the case of rice: Wei Xuan, Nanjing Agricultural University, China; Yuanming Xie, Nanjing Agricultural University, China and Ghent University and VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium; and Tom Beeckman, Ghent University and VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium; 3.Advances in understanding plant root growth regulators: Findimila Dio Ishaya and Amanda Rasmussen, University of Nottingham, UK; 4.Advances in understanding plant root anatomy and nutrient acquisition: Dimitris L. Bouranis and Styliani N. Chorianopoulou, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece; 5.Advances in understanding plant root hairs in relation to nutrient acquisition and crop root function: Timothy S. George and Lawrie K. Brown, The James Hutton Institute, UK; and A. Glyn Bengough, University of Dundee, UK; 6.Understanding plant-root interactions with rhizobacteria to improve biological nitrogen fixation in crops: Ulrike Mathesius, Australian National University, Australia; Jian Jin, La Trobe University, Australia and Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Yansheng Li, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; and Michelle Watt, Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Germany and University of Melbourne, Australia; 7.Advances in understanding arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal effects on soil nutrient cycling: Haiyang Zhang and Jeff R. Powell, Western Sydney University, Australia; Part 2 Root response to biotic threats8.Advances in understanding plant root response to weedy root parasites: M. Fernández-Aparicio and D. Rubiales, CSIC, Spain; 9.Advances in understanding plant root responses to root-feeding insects: Scott N. Johnson, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment - Western Sydney University, Australia; and Ximena Cibils-Stewart, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment - Western Sydney University, Australia and Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Uruguay; 10.Advances in understanding plant root response to nematode attack: Shahid Siddique, University of California-Davis, USA; and John T. Jones, The James Hutton Institute and University of St Andrews, UK; Part 3 Root uptake of nutrients and water11.Advances in the understanding of nitrogen (N) uptake by plant roots: Malcolm J. Hawkesford and William R. Whalley, Rothamsted Research, UK; 12.Advances in understanding plant root uptake of phosphorus: Jiayin Pang, The University of Western Australia, Australia; Zhihui Wen, The University of Western Australia, Australia and China Agricultural University, China; Daniel Kidd and Megan H. Ryan, The University of Western Australia, Australia; Rui-Peng Yu, Long Li and Wen-Feng Cong, China Agricultural University, China; Kadambot H. M. Siddique, The University of Western Australia, Australia; and Hans Lambers, The University of Western Australia, Australia and China Agricultural University, China; 13.Advances in understanding plant root water uptake: Mutez Ali Ahmed, University of Bayreuth, Germany; Doris Vetterlein, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Germany; and Andrea Carminati, University of Bayreuth, Germany; Part 4 Improving root function14.Understanding and exploiting the genetics of plant root traits: Roberto Tuberosa, Elisabetta Frascaroli, Marco Maccaferri and Silvio Salvi, University of Bologna, Italy; 15.The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve root function and crop nutrient use efficiency: Melissa M. Larrabee and Louise M. Nelson, University of British Columbia, Canada; 16.The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to improve root function and nutrient-use efficiency: Tom Thirkell, Grace Hoysted, Ashleigh Elliott and Katie Field, University of Leeds, UK; and Tim Daniell, University of Sheffield, UK; 17.Using systems agronomy to exploit deep roots in crops: John Kirkegaard and Julianne Lilley, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Australia; 18.Rootstocks to improve root function and resource-use efficiency: Francisco Pérez-Alfocea, CEBAS-CSIC, Spain; Stephen Yeboah, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana; and Ian C. Dodd, Lancaster Environment Centre, UK; 19.Delivering improved phosphorus acquisition by root systems in pasture and arable crops: Richard J. Simpson and Rebecca E. Haling, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Australia; and Phillip Graham, Graham Advisory, Australia;