ISRR to Host Online Mini Symposium on Root and Rhizosphere Research

ISRR to Host Online Mini Symposium on Root and Rhizosphere Research

The International Society of Root Research (ISRR) will host its Mini Symposium on January 28th. This online event will bring together leading researchers from around the world to present and discuss the latest discoveries in root and rhizosphere science.

Learn about Root2Res objectives and partnership

The symposium will feature a series of insightful talks and dynamic discussions covering a broad range of topics, including:

  • Root anatomy and architecture

  • Roots and ecosystem functions

  • Rhizosphere interactions and signalling

  • Phenotyping method development

  • Root modelling

  • Roots in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Root systems biology

This event offers a valuable opportunity to engage with international experts and gain up-to-date insights into cutting-edge research in the field. Discover the full programme here.

Root2Res 3rd General Assembly: Collaboration for Sustainable and Resilient Crops

This week, the ROOT2RES Project successfully held its 3rd General Assembly in Dublin, Ireland, from November 4th to 6th, hosted by...

Root2Res joins BarleyMicrobreed to host a joint session at the Rizosphere 6 Conference 2025

Root2Res and BarleyMicrobreed are hosting a joint session at the upcoming Rhizosphere 6 conference held in Edinburgh on 16th-19th...

New Root2Res Podcast Episode: Exploring Root Ideotypes and Plasticity for Resilient Agriculture

We’re excited to release the second episode of the Root2Res Podcast, where we take a closer look at two key concepts in plant...
Root2Res 3rd General Assembly: Collaboration for Sustainable and Resilient Crops

Root2Res 3rd General Assembly: Collaboration for Sustainable and Resilient Crops

This week, the ROOT2RES Project successfully held its 3rd General Assembly in Dublin, Ireland, from November 4th to 6th, hosted by Teagasc. The event brought together all project partners to review progress, discuss future objectives, and prepare for the upcoming second reporting period.

Tuesday – November 4th 

The Assembly kicked off at Teagasc Oak Park, where participants were warmly welcomed by John Spink, Head of the Environment, Crops and Land Use Programme at Teagasc. The opening session continued with introductions from Jean-Pierre Cohan, Root2Res Project Coordinator, and Tim George, Deputy Coordinator.

Subsequently, Work Package Leaders (1–6) presented their latest updates, followed by a series of breakout discussion sessions organized by crop groups. Participants also enjoyed a guided tour of the Oak Park research facilities, exploring firsthand the pioneering research efforts underway at Teagasc.

Wednesday – November 5th 

The second day of the Assembly was equally productive and insightful. Participants visited Johnstown Castle in Wexford, where two interactive sessions were held, focusing on data analysis and the application of artificial intelligence. The day concluded with a guided tour of the castle and Teagasc laboratories and field infrastructure.

Thursday – November 6th 

On the final day, activities returned to the Oak Park facilities, featuring presentations from Work Packages 7 and 8 and a third interactive session on scientific publications. The event concluded with a collaborative discussion outlining the project’s next steps. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Teagasc for their excellent organization and warm hospitality throughout the event. With the successful completion of the 3rd General Assembly, the consortium is now well-prepared to move into the next phase of the project and finalize the second reporting period.

Root2Res joins BarleyMicrobreed to host a joint session at the Rizosphere 6 Conference 2025

Root2Res joins BarleyMicrobreed to host a joint session at the Rizosphere 6 Conference 2025

Root2Res and BarleyMicrobreed are hosting a joint session at the upcoming Rhizosphere 6 conference held in Edinburgh on 16th-19th June.

The session is entitled “Manipulating the rhizosphere with crop genetics” and will featured a keynote presentation given by our sister project coordinator Mette Vestergaard from Aarhus University. It will also include seven oral presentations, with contributions from both Root2Res and BarleyMicrobreed.

In addition, the session will showcase 20 poster presentations highlighting further research and insights.

Registration is still open. Read more about the conference here.

Get to know our speakers

Discover the participants of this session, their backgrounds, and innovative research down below:

Menghui Dong
Lionel Dupuy
Mette Vestergård
  • Head of Section for Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Aarhus University
    As keynote speaker for the session, Mette will present insights into manipulating the rhizosphere through crop genetics.
    Check her abstract here
Tim George

Root2Res 3rd General Assembly: Collaboration for Sustainable and Resilient Crops

This week, the ROOT2RES Project successfully held its 3rd General Assembly in Dublin, Ireland, from November 4th to 6th, hosted by...

Root2Res joins BarleyMicrobreed to host a joint session at the Rizosphere 6 Conference 2025

Root2Res and BarleyMicrobreed are hosting a joint session at the upcoming Rhizosphere 6 conference held in Edinburgh on 16th-19th...

New Root2Res Podcast Episode: Exploring Root Ideotypes and Plasticity for Resilient Agriculture

We’re excited to release the second episode of the Root2Res Podcast, where we take a closer look at two key concepts in plant...

Learn about Root2Res objectives and partnership

New Root2Res Podcast Episode: Exploring Root Ideotypes and Plasticity for Resilient Agriculture

New Root2Res Podcast Episode: Exploring Root Ideotypes and Plasticity for Resilient Agriculture

We’re excited to release the second episode of the Root2Res Podcast, where we take a closer look at two key concepts in plant breeding: root ideotypes and plasticity. These terms are sometimes seen as contradictory, but in this episode, we explore how they can work together to create more resilient and adaptive crops in the face of climate change.

In this episode, our guests Doris Vetterlein from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Germany and Pete Berry from ADAS, UK join Laura Kemper, from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, to discuss what ideotypes are and how they function in specific environments.

They also dive into the concept of plasticity, a key mechanism that allows plants to adapt to changing conditions. The conversation unpacks the challenges of breeding for resilience in an unpredictable climate.

Learn about Root2Res objectives and partnership

Listen to the podcast here:

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network and subscribe to hear more from the Root2Resilience project. If you have questions, comments, or topic suggestions, feel free to reach out to us via email – we’d love to hear from you.

Root2Res 3rd General Assembly: Collaboration for Sustainable and Resilient Crops

This week, the ROOT2RES Project successfully held its 3rd General Assembly in Dublin, Ireland, from November 4th to 6th, hosted by...

Root2Res joins BarleyMicrobreed to host a joint session at the Rizosphere 6 Conference 2025

Root2Res and BarleyMicrobreed are hosting a joint session at the upcoming Rhizosphere 6 conference held in Edinburgh on 16th-19th...

New Root2Res Podcast Episode: Exploring Root Ideotypes and Plasticity for Resilient Agriculture

We’re excited to release the second episode of the Root2Res Podcast, where we take a closer look at two key concepts in plant...

Further Resources

To support this episode, we’ve gathered key materials to help you explore these concepts in depth:

Introducing the Root2Res Podcast: Root Phenotyping and Genetic Improvement for a Resilient Future

Introducing the Root2Res Podcast: Root Phenotyping and Genetic Improvement for a Resilient Future

The Root2Res podcast kicks off by diving into the heart of the project’s mission: enhancing crop resilience through innovative root system research.

In this introductory episode, project coordinators Jean-Pierre Cohan and Timothy George share how the Root2Res initiative came to life, how the consortium was formed, and what drives this ambitious effort. They walk through the project’s core objectives, planned activities, and the significance of this work in addressing climate challenges.

Learn about Root2Res objectives and partnership

Future episodes will take a deeper dive into the concepts and methods developed within Root2Res. presented in an accessible way for researchers, breeders, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture.

Listen to the podcast here:

Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest episodes, insights and discussions as we uncover the potential of root phenotyping and genetic improvement in the face of environmental change.

Root2Res 3rd General Assembly: Collaboration for Sustainable and Resilient Crops

This week, the ROOT2RES Project successfully held its 3rd General Assembly in Dublin, Ireland, from November 4th to 6th, hosted by...

Root2Res joins BarleyMicrobreed to host a joint session at the Rizosphere 6 Conference 2025

Root2Res and BarleyMicrobreed are hosting a joint session at the upcoming Rhizosphere 6 conference held in Edinburgh on 16th-19th...

New Root2Res Podcast Episode: Exploring Root Ideotypes and Plasticity for Resilient Agriculture

We’re excited to release the second episode of the Root2Res Podcast, where we take a closer look at two key concepts in plant...