中文摘要：

棉花根系的生长、分布和生理活性对棉花整体生长发育起着十分重要的作用，但是观测上的不便给研究带来一定困难，导致相关规律与机理的认识不及地上部深入。本文以近年研究报道为依据，对棉花根系研究方法、根系的生长、分布特征、影响因素及生理特性等进行了较为系统地阐述．并提出了今后棉花根系研究的重点问题。

英文摘要：

Root morphological and physiological characteristics play important roles in cotton （Gossypium hirsuaun L.） growth and development. However, root studies have been less thorough than those of above-ground studies because of difficulties in root observation. In this paper, the recent development and current status of research on the cotton root is summarized, including research methods, root growth and distribution characteristics and their influencing factors, as well as root physiological charac- teristics. Several problems in root studies are discussed and research prospects in this field are presented.