Root2Resilience: Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change

Part of EU Open Research Repository
Published August 20, 2025 | Version v1
Publication Open

The Role of Plant Roots in Soil Health (Root2Res Policy Brief #2)

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau
  • 2. ROR icon Arvalis - Institut du Végétal
  • 3. ROR icon James Hutton Institute
  • 4. ROR icon Agricultural Development Advisory Service (United Kingdom)
  • 5. NEIKER
  • 6. ROR icon Forschungszentrum Jülich
  • 7. EDMO icon Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ

Contributors

  • 1. ROR icon Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau
  • 2. ROR icon Arvalis - Institut du Végétal
  • 3. ROR icon James Hutton Institute

Description

This policy brief, produced in the Root2Res project focuses on the following key messages:

  • Soil health is critical for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, food security and biodiversity.
  • Roots play a key role in soil carbon storage, water retention, structure formation, resilience and biodiversity — yet they’re often overlooked in policy and research.
  • We need targeted investment in root trait research, breeding, and field trials to unlock their full potential.
  • Support policies are needed that reward living root systems — through the CAP, national soil strategies and new incentives for farmers

Files

Gallmann-etal-2025_PB_Plant-roots-soil-health.pdf

Files (2.8 MB)

Additional details

Funding

European Commission
Root2Res - Root2Resilience: Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change 101060124