the team working in penn state’s root lab, led by jonathan lynch, professor of plant nutrition, is studying what the rest of us don’t see–the work going on underneath the ground that enables the growth of healthier crops.

jonathan lynch is a professor of plant nutrition in the penn state college of agricultural sciences. his research focuses on plant root architecture, and how the study of plant roots can increase crop yields and improve global food security. lynch conducts research on five continents, where he uses computer simulations to study root characteristics.

traditionally, the key to improving crop yields has been to increase soil inputs, such as fertilizer and irrigation, but in africa, farmers cannot afford fertilizer and must work with poor soil.

given these circumstances, lynch believes the roots themselves must be improved. 

“all plants need nutrients,” he explained. “what we’re dealing with, really, is acquisition efficiency—getting those nutrients out of the soil better. what we need, 

instead of plants that respond well to fertilizers, are plants that can do well in low-input, low-fertility environments.”

the right kind of root

the characteristics and shapes of roots play a crucial role in the acquisition of water and essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. in order to study these important traits, lynch and his colleagues use computer modeling to simulate the roots of two of the world’s most important staple crops: beans and corn. computer modeling helps to pinpoint critical factors that are difficult to measure on real roots growing in soil.

the answer can be found through computer simulations, using penn state-developed programs likesimroot, a simulation created entirely by students and postdoctoral researchers in the lynch lab, with help and guidance from it staff. studies conducted using simroot have examined the effectiveness of shallow versus deep roots, and the importance of root angles, root hairs, root hair density, and root hair length.

many of the discoveries made using computer simulations can be applied to the practical aspects of farming and can improve crop yields. for example, shallow roots fare better in topsoil, and longer root hairs absorb more phosphorus. when growing corn, deep roots are best, because essential nutrients like nitrogen are easily washed out of the soil.
in his interactions with farmers around the globe, lynch advocates a simple approach: study the visuals of roots, rather than their genetic makeup.

“in africa, breeders may not have sophisticated tools to look at molecular markers,” lynch said. “if they can use a shovel, dig up a root system, and notice it has certain traits, that’s something they can use. it’s what we call ‘shovelomics.’ and that may be more important than genomics in promoting food security in poor nations.”

through collaboration with plant breeders, lynch’s work has led to the creation of new genotypes of beans and soybeans, and has resulted in improved crop yield in the low-phosphorus soils of africa, asia, and latin america. other countries stand to benefit from lynch’s work as well, with projects under way with colleagues in mozambique, malawi, south africa, china, ecuador, honduras, nicaragua. and colombia.