We present unresolved questions in plant abiotic stress biology as posed by 15 research
groups with expertise spanning eco-physiology to cell and molecular biology. Common …

Drought limits crop productivity and threatens global food security, with moderate drought
stress—when crops grow at a reduced rate—commonly experienced. Increasing plant …

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been presumed to ameliorate crop tolerance to
drought. Here, we review the role of AMF in maintaining water supply to plants from drying …

The effect of root hairs on water uptake remains controversial. In particular, the key root hair
and soil parameters that determine their importance have been elusive. We grew maize …

Plant water uptake and plant and soil water status are important for the soil water balance
and plant growth. They depend on atmospheric water demand and the accessibility of soil …

Sufficient water is essential for plant growth and production. Root hairs connect roots to the
soil, extend the effective root radius, and greatly enlarge the absorbing surface area …

Root hairs and soil water content are crucial in controlling the release and diffusion of root
exudates and shaping profiles of biochemical properties in the rhizosphere. But whether root …

Low soil moisture and high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) cause plant water stress and lead
to a variety of drought responses, including a reduction in transpiration and photosynthesis …

Drought is a major threat to food security worldwide. Recently, the root–soil interface has
emerged as a major site of hydraulic resistance during water stress. Here, we review the …

Rice (Oryza sativa) production consumes a huge amount of fresh water, and improvement of
drought tolerance in rice is important to conserve water resources and minimize yield loss …