中文摘要：

根系形态以及生理特征与作物养分水分高效利用密切相关。利用根系发育突变体是研究根系结构与功能的主要手段之一。近10多年来,一些玉米根系发育的突变体被鉴定出来,其中包括影响节根发育的rtcs突变体,影响侧根发育的lrt1、slr1、slr2和rum1突变体,还有影响根毛发育的rth1、rth2和rth3突变体,其中部分突变体所对应的基因已经克隆。这些进展有利于人们更深入地认识玉米根系生物学特征在养分水分高效中的作用。

英文摘要：

Root morphology and physiological characteristics are closely related to nutrient and water use efficiency of crops.Root mutants are powerful tools for studying root structure and function.In recent decades,a number of mutants specifically affecting maize root development have been identified.Among the mutants,rtcs is defects in the development of crown root,lrt1,slr1,slr2,and rum1 are defective in lateral root development,and rth1,rth2,and rth3 are defective in the development of root hairs.Some underlined genes of the mutants have been cloned.These materials and gene information will facilitate the understanding the role of maize root in efficient use of nutrient and water resources.