Shaping a root system: regulating lateral versus primary root growth

• Lateral root development is a postembryonic process.
• Key players in primary root growth and development also function in lateral root.
• Lateral roots have differential responses to environmental cues.
• Lateral roots have distinct regulators, namely hormones and molecular components.

Primary and lateral roots comprise root systems, which are vital to the growth and survival of plants. Several molecular mechanisms associated with primary and lateral root growth have been described, including some common regulatory factors for their initiation and development. However, in this opinion article, we discuss the distinct growth behavior of lateral roots in response to environmental cues, such as salinity, gravity, and nutrient availability, which are mediated via specific regulators. We propose that differential growth dynamics between primary and lateral roots are crucial for plants to adapt to the ever-changing environmental conditions.