The rice root system consists of two types of lateral roots, indeterminate larger L-types capable of further branching, and determinate, short, unbranched S-types. L-type laterals correspond to the typical lateral roots of cereals whereas S-type laterals are unique to rice. Both types contribute to nutrient and water uptake and genotypic variation for density and length of these laterals could be exploited in rice improvement to enhance adaptations to nutrient and water-limited environments. Our objectives are to determine how best to screen for lateral root density and length and to identify markers linked to genotypic variation for these traits that can be applied to breeding programs.

See more: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12284-023-00654-z