Abstract:

Roots are an integral part of plant organs and involved in acquisition of nutrients and water, synthesis of plant hormones, organic acids and amino acids, and anchorage of plants. Root morphology and physiology are closely associated with the growth and development of above-ground part of plant. In this review, the relationships of root morpho-physiological traits with the formation of grain yield and the absorbtion of water and nutrients in rice were summerized. Recent advances in research on the role of the root chemical signals, such as hormones and organic acids, in the formation of grain quality of rice and the relation of ultra-structure of root tip cells with the growth and development of above-ground part of plant were intruduced. The existing problems and futher studies on rice roots were discussed.

Key words: rice, root system, chemical signals, ultra-structure of cells, grain yield/quality