In the context of a recent massive increase in research on plant root functions and their
impact on the environment, root ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep …

The search for a root economics spectrum (RES) has been sparked by recent interest in trait‐
based plant ecology. By analogy with the one‐dimensional leaf economics spectrum (LES) …

Plant traits determine how individual plants cope with heterogeneous environments. Despite
large variability in individual traits, trait coordination and trade-offs, result in some trait …

Ecosystem functioning relies heavily on below‐ground processes, which are largely
regulated by plant fine‐roots and their functional traits. However, our knowledge of fine‐root …

Heat stress has been defined as the rise of temperature for a period of time higher than a
threshold level, thereby permanently affecting the plant growth and development. Day or …

Climate change is a major threat to crop productivity that negatively affects food security
worldwide. Increase in global temperatures are usually accompanied by drought, flooding …

Different portions of tree root systems play distinct functional roles, yet precisely how to
distinguish roots of different functions within the branching fine‐root system is unclear.• …

Roots vary in anatomy, morphology and physiology, both spatially (different parts of the
same root system) and temporally (plastic changes, root ageing), suggesting that root trait …

Water scarcity is a key limiting factor in agriculture. Grapevines react at the physiological,
biochemical and genetic level to tolerate water constraints. Even though grapevines are …

Roots usually suffer greater exposure to multiple abiotic stresses than shoots. Therefore, the
root system can be as affected, or even more affected, than the aerial parts of a plant by such …