Woody root systems play a pivotal role in plant resilience, soil health, and sustainable production, yet their belowground dynamics remain underexplored. This Research Topic would encompass current knowledge on the physiological, biochemical, and ecological processes occurring within the woody root sphere, emphasizing their contributions to carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, water regulation, land remediation and restoration, and climate adaptation. Innovative approaches for monitoring and managing woody root functions to enhance plant productivity under changing environmental conditions become pivotal for developing resilient ecosystems, optimizing resource use, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

This Research Topic aims to collect works and insights from the 9th International Symposium on Woody Root Research, but not limited to, which will take place in Como from June 2nd to 5th, 2026, to deepen the understanding of how roots, mycorrhizal networks, and soil microbiomes interact to influence plant performance and overall ecosystem functioning. Although these belowground processes are well recognized in natural ecosystems, their roles in managed landscapes—such as agro-ecosystems and urban environments—remain insufficiently explored. The problem lies in the limited integration of knowledge across root architecture, rhizosphere dynamics, and microbial symbioses, which constrains our ability to enhance plant health, resource-use efficiency, and resilience to environmental change. To achieve this goal, the Research Topic will promote studies that link these interconnected processes, emphasizing how they shape soil structure, fertility, and long-term sustainability. By synthesizing insights across ecological contexts, this initiative seeks to inform strategies to improve the stability and productivity of natural, agricultural, and urban ecosystems by better managing belowground interactions.

This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of woody root systems and their pivotal role in ecosystem functioning. We invite contributions that explore the complexity of root biology and its interactions with soil environments, emphasising processes that underpin plant resilience and sustainable production. Manuscripts on the following subthemes are particularly encouraged, but not limited to:

• Root architecture and physiological adaptations

• Mycorrhizal associations and symbiotic networks

• Ecological strategies shaping belowground resource acquisition

• Soil microbiomes and their influence on root health

• Mechanisms driving resilience under environmental stress

• Land remediation and restoration

• Root-driven biodiversity conservation and enhancement

By integrating insights from plant physiology, soil science, and microbial ecology, this research topic aims to develop innovative approaches to enhance soil health and promote sustainable ecosystems.

Topic Editor Dr. Boris Rewald is employed and the co-founder of Vienna Scientific Instruments GmbH. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

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Unveiling the Woody Root Processes - From Belowground to Sustainability, Soil Health, and Plant Production