Compared with QTL mapping, exploring beneficial genes with root mutants is a more efficient approach, and a number of genes reported are explored through root mutants. In addition, a number of genome-wide large-scale studies have been performed (Take-hisa et al., 2012; Zhai et al., 2013). These provide researches useful techniques to unveil molecular mechanisms of root development.For example, transcriptome analysis of rice mature root tissue and root tips at two time points identified 1761 root-enriched transcripts and 306 tip-enriched transcripts involved in different physiological processes (Kyndt et al., 2012).
As mentioned by Den Herder et al. (2010), now is the time to improve the plant’s capacity for uptake and fixation of nutrients and the focus should be on improving the root system. To achieve a high-yield and eco-friendly agriculture, an enormous effort on a political, economical and social level will be required. With the increasing number of the identified genes related with root traits, the combination of MAS (marker-assisted selection), conventional approaches, and genetic engineering, would make it possible to develop further grain yield varieties with ideal type root system in
the near future.