Root Genomics and Breeding for Enhanced Abiotic Stresses

The role of roots in many abiotic stress related responses has been the focus of novel investigations in the last decade. The understanding of how roots develop and  their interactions with the recent climate and environmental changes is a very strong and current topic. Our research group has focused on the analysis of gene expression in root tissues of grasses under hypoxia, drought and metal toxicity stresses. The analysis of cis-regulatory elements and the use of bioinformatics tools have provided useful information for the advancement of plant breeding strategies. The major progresses and the genomic relationships using a comparative approach are discussed using the examples of gene families responsive to these stresses, such as the Ethylene Response Factors (ERFs).