Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.3, 117-127 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 124 degraded land (Sun et al., 2019; Bannoud and Bellini, 2021). The cooperation between poplar roots and beneficial microorganisms can not only enhance their resistance to adverse conditions, but also increase the yield and ecological service functions of forests (Fu et al., 2025). These advantages are very useful for addressing climate change, increasing the carbon storage capacity of forests and conserving soil and water (Tan et al., 2023; Schaefer et al., 2024). 10 Concluding Remarks In recent years, poplar (Populus), as an important research tree species, has made considerable progress in the study of root development. Scientists have begun to reveal how poplar roots grow and how they adapt to different environments through whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis and epigenetic studies. Pan-genome research has found that some “private genes” and structural differences among different varieties are important for their adaptation to local climate and environment. These genes can affect the shape and function of poplar roots and also make them exhibit different growth characteristics. In addition, poplar trees have a strong ability to reproduce asexually through cuttings and other means, which is closely related to the growth of advancements. Therefore, many current studies are focusing on how these roots develop. More and more functional genes have been identified, laying a foundation for understanding the stress resistance and ecological functions of poplar root systems. With the advancement of sequencing technology, some new methods have also been applied to the study of poplar root systems, such as high-throughput sequencing, single-cell omics, epigenetic analysis and machine learning, etc. These tools help scientists understand more systematically which genes control the development and morphology of roots. Super pan-genome, GWAS and multi-omics joint analysis are also used to discover important genes, and machine learning can be used to establish predictive models. Gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, enable researchers to quickly verify the function of a gene and also improve the traits of trees more rapidly. These methods have enabled us to have a clearer understanding of the poplar root system and also provided new means for enhancing its resistance and ecological functions in the future. These research results are also of great help in practice. For instance, through genomic information, tree species with more developed root systems, greater drought resistance or better adaptation to saline-alkali land can be selected for afforestation on wasteland or restoration of degraded ecosystems. In addition, genetic engineering technology can also make poplar trees more resistant to pests and diseases, or restore soil in polluted areas. All these provide new possibilities for the development of forestry and environmental protection. In the future, by integrating various data and ecological models, we are expected to precisely regulate the growth pattern of poplar roots and apply it in more forest restoration and ecological management practices. Acknowledgments The authors thank Dr. Lian for his comments on the manuscript of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Ahkami A., 2023, Systems biology of root development in Populus: review and perspectives, Plant Science, 335: 111818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111818 An Y., Geng Y., Liu Y., Han X., Huang L., Zeng W., Zhang J., and Lu M., 2023, The glutamate receptor gene GLR3.3: a bridge of calcium-mediated root development in poplar, Horticultural Plant Journal, 10(6): 1449-1462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2023.01.012 Baesso B., Terzaghi M., Chiatante D., Scippa G., and Montagnoli A., 2020, WOX genes expression during the formation of new lateral roots from secondary structures in Populus nigra (L.) taproot, Scientific Reports, 10: 18890. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75150-1 Balestrini R., Sillo F., Boussageon R., Wipf D., and Courty P., 2024, The hidden side of interaction: microbes and roots get together to improve plant resilience, Journal of Plant Interactions, 19: 2323991. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2024.2323991
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