Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil.
Plant Commun. 2021 Sep 23;3(1):100246. doi: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100246. eCollection 2022 Jan 10.
Efficient use of natural resources (e.g., light, water, and nutrients) can be improved with a tailored developmental program that maximizes the lifetime and fitness of plants. In plant shoots, a developmental phase represents a time window in which the meristem triggers the development of unique morphological and physiological traits, leading to the emergence of leaves, flowers, and fruits. Whereas developmental phases in plant shoots have been shown to enhance food production in crops, this phenomenon has remained poorly investigated in roots. In light of recent advances, we suggest that root development occurs in three main phases: root apical meristem appearance, foraging, and senescence. We provide compelling evidence suggesting that these phases are regulated by at least four developmental pathways: autonomous, non-autonomous, hormonal, and periodic. Root developmental pathways differentially coordinate organ plasticity, promoting morphological alterations, tissue regeneration, and cell death regulation. Furthermore, we suggest how nutritional checkpoints may allow progression through the developmental phases, thus completing the root life cycle. These insights highlight novel and exciting advances in root biology that may help maximize the productivity of crops through more sustainable agriculture and the reduced use of chemical fertilizers.
高效利用自然资源（例如光、水和养分）可以通过量身定制的发展计划来实现，该计划可以最大限度地延长植物的寿命和适应能力。在植物芽中，一个发育阶段代表了一个时间窗口，在此期间，分生组织会触发独特的形态和生理特征的发育，从而形成叶子、花朵和果实。虽然已经证明植物芽的发育阶段可以提高作物的粮食产量，但这种现象在根部的研究仍然很少。鉴于最近的进展，我们认为根的发育发生在三个主要阶段：根尖分生组织出现、觅食和衰老。我们提供了令人信服的证据表明，这些阶段至少受到四个发育途径的调节：自主的、非自主的、激素的和周期性的。根的发育途径可以协调器官的可塑性，促进形态变化、组织再生和细胞死亡的调节。此外，我们还提出了营养检测点如何允许通过发育阶段，从而完成根的生命周期。这些见解强调了根生物学的新的令人兴奋的进展，这可能有助于通过更可持续的农业和减少化肥的使用来提高作物的生产力。
