Scope of the 6th ISRR Symposium
Roots: the Dynamic Interface Between Plant and the Earth
Nagoya, Japan ; November 11-15, 2001

The objective of the 6th ISRR Symposium is to characterize morphology and function of whole root systems as the most dynamic interface between plants and soil within the Earth's geosphere. Plant roots anchor the whole plant, absorb water and nutrients. Additionally, roots are biological sensors which receive and process environmental stimuli into chemical signals which control the growth and development of both shoots and roots. Moreover, root exudates greatly contribute carbon and nitrogen to microorganisms and other components of the food web with the soil ecosystem. Root channels, rhizospheres, uptake of water and nutrients modify many abiotic soil conditions. Root development, demographics within the soil profile, and seasonal functions must all be considered when formulating a sustainable agriculture agro-ecosystem and global carbon cycle. Rapid increases in the global population continues to result in famine during the early part of the 21st Century. Therefore, whole-plant research efforts are essential before we can achieve high and stable crop production. Combining whole plant genomics with soil management practices, e.g., tillage, nutrient fertilization and water management, are essential contributions to maintaining maximum sustainable yields. Therefore information on root system development is essential to make decision for effective management practices. On the other hand, environmental issues, e.g., flooding, drought, acid rain, desertification, salt accumulation, increases in global carbon gases, and heavy metal pollution, can be addressed by research on plant root systems. That is another reason why root research must be proceeded urgently.

Root research has been behind shoot studies, because it is tedious and time-consuming. However, methodology for root research has been standardized after trials of many root researchers. Recently, new methodologies in the disciplines of molecular and cell biology, synchrotron and microtomographic electron microscopy have proven to be quite effective for investigating root processes. Roots are highly suitable organs for studying their molecular and cell biology because their anatomical morphologies are quite simple. Such studies using root as a research material are also quite useful to understand morphology and function of an individual root as well as the whole root system. The goal of the 6th ISRR Symposium is to meet researchers studying many different root subjects, to discuss morphological forms of roots which impact their functions at the dynamic interface between plants and the earth and to establish NEGAKU as a newly integrated research area of rhizology.

July 1, 1999

Shigenori Morita,
Chairperson of the Organizing Committee