Summary
This review examines the complex interactions between cereal roots, soil microbiota, and soil properties that shape plant performance under drought. The authors argue that whilst these root-soil-microbiota networks offer significant potential for enhancing drought resilience and nutrient cycling, practical application remains challenging due to synergistic effects among multiple interacting factors. The paper proposes a roadmap combining trait-based plant breeding and soil environment manipulation to harness these interactions for improved drought-resilient cereal production.
Regional applicability
The findings are internationally relevant and particularly applicable to United Kingdom cereal production, where increasing drought frequency due to climate change poses a significant agronomic challenge. Implementing trait-based breeding and microbiota-informed soil management could support UK efforts to maintain cereal yields and soil health under more variable water availability.
Key measures
Root-soil-microbiota associations; soil carbon and nutrient cycling; plant growth and fitness under drought; interactions between root traits, soil properties, and agricultural practices
Outcomes reported
This review synthesises the mechanistic understanding of how cereal root traits, soil properties, and microbial communities interact to influence plant fitness and carbon and nutrient cycling under drought stress. The paper proposes trait-based breeding and soil manipulation approaches as strategies to improve cereal production under drought conditions.
Topic tags
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