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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

RGB and Spectral Root Imaging for Plant Phenotyping and Physiological Research: Experimental Setup and Imaging Protocols
Published on: August 8, 2017
Evolution of root systems in land plants.
Abdellah Lakehal1, Edward Farrar2, Bipin K Pandey2
1Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
Plant root systems evolved from simple structures to complex networks, enabling terrestrial colonization. Understanding root evolution and plasticity is crucial for crop adaptation to changing climates and soil conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Agronomy
Background:
- Land plants successfully colonized terrestrial environments, with root system evolution being a key factor.
- Early land plants lacked true roots, utilizing fungal symbioses and rhizoids for anchorage and nutrient foraging.
- Root-axis formation significantly increased the complexity of both root and shoot systems in early land plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolutionary history of root systems from early land plants to flowering plants.
- To highlight key innovations in root morphology, regulatory mechanisms, and adaptive strategies.
- To discuss the importance of root plasticity for plant adaptation to environmental changes and its implications for crop breeding.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of plant evolution, focusing on root system development.
- Analysis of key innovations in root morphology and genetic regulation.
- Discussion of hormonal and gene-regulatory components enabling soil adaptation.
Main Results:
- Root systems evolved from simple bifurcating structures to complex networks in flowering plants.
- Novel hormone regulators and gene-regulatory components facilitated adaptation to diverse soil signals and stresses.
- Root plasticity has been critical for plant adaptation to past and present environmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Root system evolution has been fundamental to the success of land plants.
- Root plasticity is essential for maintaining crop yield stability in a changing climate.
- Future crop breeding must consider soil and climate conditions to select for optimal root traits.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Plant Diversity
The Colonization of Land
Non-vascular Seedless Plants
Seedless Vascular Plants
Water and Mineral Acquisition
Introduction to Seed Plants

