Linking root morphology and anatomy with transporters for mineral element uptake in plants

Background One of the most important roles of plant roots is to take up mineral nutrients from soils for growth and development. The uptake of mineral nutrients is mediated by many different transporters expressed in the roots. The morphology and anatomy of the roots differ within plant species, but their link with nutrient uptake is poorly understood. Scope In this review, we aim to describe the spatial uptake site of mineral nutrients along the root axes and the different roles of root hairs and lateral roots in mineral element uptake in association with the distinct expression pattern of transporters, mainly by comparing two typical model plants: Arabidopsis and rice. Conclusions We propose different uptake systems for mineral elements, which are formed by a pair of influx-efflux transporters, based on the root anatomy, allocation and polar localization of transporters. Furthermore, we discuss the role of Casparian strips in the uptake of mineral nutrients. Finally, we propose future prospects for linking root morphology and anatomy to transporters for a better and safe crop production.