Browsing by Author "Joshi, Mukul"

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Advances in using non-thermal plasmas for healthier crop production: toward pesticide and chemical fertilizer-free agriculture
(Springer, 2025-04) Joshi, Mukul
There is an urgent need to transform agricultural practices to meet the challenges of sustainable food production amidst global population growth and environmental degradation. Traditional crop production methods heavily rely on pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which pose significant risks to human health, disrupt ecosystems, and contribute to environmental pollution. Moreover, these methods are increasingly unsustainable due to rising costs and diminishing effectiveness, evolving pest resistance, and climate change impacts. Recently, non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology has emerged as a promising alternative for seed treatment in agriculture. NTP uses low-temperature plasma to modify seed surfaces, enhancing germination, vigor, and overall plant growth. Studies have demonstrated that NTP treatment improves nutrient uptake, increases disease resistance, and reduces the reliance on chemical inputs (pesticides and fertilizers), thereby promoting pesticide and chemical fertilizer-free agriculture. This paper explores recent research advancements in NTP seed treatment and its potential applications in sustainable agriculture. By exploring the mechanisms underlying the NTP effects on seed physiology, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how this technology can contribute to sustainable crop production. Furthermore, the paper discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges associated with the potential large-scale use of low-temperature plasmas in agriculture, aiming to accelerate the adoption of NTP and its commercialization in the agro-food industries. Overall, the goal of this paper is to highlight the transformative potential of NTP seed treatment in achieving healthier crop production that is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and capable of meeting the food demands of a growing global population.
Adventitious root formation in crops—Potato as an example
(Wiley, 2020-12) Joshi, Mukul
The root system of potato is made up of adventitious roots (AR) that form at the base of a sprout once it emerges from the mother tuber. By definition, AR originate from dormant preformed meristems, or from cells neighboring vascular tissues in stems or leaves. This may occur as part of the developmental program of the plant (e.g., potato), or when replacing the embryonic primary roots in response to stress conditions, such as flooding, nutrient deprivation, or wounding. AR formation is studied mainly in cereals and model plants, and less is known about its developmental program in root and tuber crops. In this review, we summarize the recent data on AR development in potato and relate this knowledge to what is known from model plants. For example, AR formation following stem cutting in potato follows a pattern of initiation, expression, and emergence phases that are known for other plants and involves auxin, the master regulator of AR induction and development. Molecular regulation of AR formation and the effect of environmental stresses are discussed. Understanding the origin and nature of AR systems in important crops will contribute to increased production and improve global food security.
Adventitious root formation in crops—Potato as an example
(Wiley, 2020-12-10) Joshi, Mukul
The root system of potato is made up of adventitious roots (AR) that form at the base of a sprout once it emerges from the mother tuber. By definition, AR originate from dormant preformed meristems, or from cells neighboring vascular tissues in stems or leaves. This may occur as part of the developmental program of the plant (e.g., potato), or when replacing the embryonic primary roots in response to stress conditions, such as flooding, nutrient deprivation, or wounding. AR formation is stud- ied mainly in cereals and model plants, and less is known about its developmental program in root and tuber crops. In this review, we summarize the recent data on AR development in potato and relate this knowledge to what is known from model plants. For example, AR formation following stem cutting in potato follows a pattern of initiation, expression, and emergence phases that are known for other plants and involves auxin, the master regulator of AR induction and development. Molecular regulation of AR formation and the effect of environmental stresses are discussed. Understanding the origin and nature of AR systems in important crops will contribute to increased production and improve global food security.
Cloning and characterization of the Salicornia brachiata Na+/H+ antiporter gene SbNHX1 and its expression by abiotic stress
(Springer, 2010-09) Joshi, Mukul
Salinity causes multifarious adverse effects to plants. Plants response to salt stress involves numerous processes that function in coordination to alleviate both cellular hyperosmolarity and ion disequilibrium. A Na+/H+ antiporter NHX1 gene has been isolated from a halophytic plant Salicornia brachiata in this study. Predicted amino acid sequence similarity, protein topology and the presence of functional domains conserved in SbNHX1 classify it as a plant vacuolar NHX gene. The SbNHX1 cDNA has an open reading frame of 1,683 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 560 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular mass 62.44 kDa. The SbNHX1 shows high amino acid similarity with other halophytic NHX gene and belongs to Class-I type NHXs. TMpred suggests that SbNHX1 contains 11 strong transmembrane (TM). Real time PCR analysis revealed that SbNHX1 transcript expresses maximum at 0.5 M. Transcript increases gradually by increasing the treatment duration at 0.5 M NaCl, however, maximum expression was observed at 48 h. The overexpression of SbNHX1 gene in tobacco plant showed NaCl tolerance. This study shows that SbNHX1 is a potential gene for salt tolerance, and can be used in future for developing salt tolerant crops.
Developing Transgenic Jatropha Using the SbNHX1 Gene from an Extreme Halophyte for Cultivation in Saline Wasteland
(Plos One, 2013-08) Joshi, Mukul
Jatropha is an important second-generation biofuel plant. Salinity is a major factor adversely impacting the growth and yield of several plants including Jatropha. SbNHX1 is a vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene that compartmentalises excess Na+ ions into the vacuole and maintains ion homeostasis. We have previously cloned and characterised the SbNHX1 gene from an extreme halophyte, Salicornia brachiata. Transgenic plants of Jatropha curcas with the SbNHX1 gene were developed using microprojectile bombardment mediated transformation. Integration of the transgene was confirmed by PCR and Rt-PCR and the copy number was determined by real time qPCR. The present study of engineering salt tolerance in Jatropha is the first report to date. Salt tolerance of the transgenic lines JL2, JL8 and JL19 was confirmed by leaf senescence assay, chlorophyll estimation, plant growth, ion content, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content analysis. Transgenic lines showed better salt tolerance than WT up to 200 mM NaCl. Imparting salt tolerance to Jatropha using the SbNHX1 gene may open up the possibility of cultivating it in marginal salty land, releasing arable land presently under Jatropha cultivation for agriculture purposes. Apart from this, transgenic Jatropha can be cultivated with brackish water, opening up the possibility of sustainable cultivation of this biofuel plant in salty coastal areas.
Ectopic expression of SbNHX1 gene in transgenic castor (Ricinus communis L.) enhances salt stress by modulating physiological process
(AGRIS, 2015) Joshi, Mukul
The SbNHX1 gene encodes a vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter that involved in the maintenance of ion homeostasis and compartmentalization of excess Na⁺ or K⁺ ions into the vacuole. Transgenic castor plants were developed by an improved method of Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation using spermidine (1 mM) along with acetosyringone (200 μM), which enhanced the transformation efficiency about twofolds from 2.76 to 5.91 %. Transgenic plants were confirmed by PCR using gene (SbNHX1, hptII and gus) specific primers. The single gene integration event was confirmed by RTqPCR and Southern hybridization. Transgenic lines CL7 and CL13 showed high expression of the SbNHX1 gene compared to CL6 and CL12, therefore selected for physio-biochemical analyses, which were carried out under varying NaCl concentrations. Higher chlorophyll, RWC, K⁺ content, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and lower electrolytic leakage, proline, MDA, Na⁺ contents compared to WT confirmed that ectopic expression of the SbNHX1 gene enhances salt tolerance of transgenic plants by modulating physiological process under stress condition. Though transgenic lines were affected under stress conditions but performed better compared to WT plants. The present study is the first report of engineering salt tolerance in castor, so far. Transgenic castor may be utilized for the cultivation in marginal salty land and thus open up the possibility of releasing arable land, which is presently under castor cultivation.
Efficient genetic transformation of Jatropha curcas L. by microprojectile bombardment using embryo axes
(Elsiever, 2011) Joshi, Mukul
An efficient and reproducible protocol was established for genetic transformation in Jatropha curcas through microprojectile bombardment. Decotyledonated embryos from mature seeds were pre-cultured for 5 days and elongated embryonic axis was subjected to bombardment for the optimization of physical parameters. The frequency of transient gus expression and survival of putative transformants were taken into consideration for the assessment of physical parameters. Statistical analysis reveal that microcarrier size, helium pressure and target distance had significant influence on transformation efficiency. Among different variables evaluated, microcarrier size 1 μm, He pressure 1100 and 1350 psi with a target distance of 9 and 12 cm respectively were found optimum by co-relating microcarrier size, helium pressure and target distance on the frequency of gus expression and survival of putative transformants. Selection of putative transformants was done with increasing concentrations (5–7 mg L−1) of hygromycin. The integration of desired gene into Jatropha genome was confirmed with PCR amplification of 0.96 and 1.28 kb bands of hptII and gus gene respectively from the T0 transgenics and Southern blot analysis using PCR amplified DIG labeled hptII gene as a probe. A successful attempt of genetic transformation was made with optimized conditions using particle gene gun and establishing a stable transformation in J. curcas with 44.7% transformation efficiency. The procedure described will be very useful for the introgression of desired genes into J. curcas and the molecular analysis of gene function.
Identification of candidate genes mediating apple fruit-cracking resistance following the application of gibberellic acids 4 + 7 and the cytokinin 6-benzyladenine
(Elsiever, 2018-06) Joshi, Mukul
Calyx-end cracking in 'Pink Lady' apple is treated by a solution of gibberellic acids 4 and 7 (GA4+7) and the cytokinin 6-benzyladenine (BA). Although the GA4+7 and BA mixture is applied early in apple fruit development, it mitigates cracking that becomes evident in the mature fruit, implying a long-term treatment effect. The reduced incidence of peel cracking is associated with increased epidermal cell density, which is maintained until fruit maturation. Presently, the expression of genes that have been previously reported to be associated with epidermal cell patterning and cuticle formation, or cracking resistance, was monitored in the peel during fruit development and following GA4+7 and BA treatment. For most of the genes whose expression is naturally upregulated during fruit development, the early GA4+7 and BA treatment maintained or further increased the high expression level in the mature peel. Where the expression of a gene was downregulated during development, no change was detected in the treated mature peel. Gene-networking analysis supported the interaction between gene clusters of cell-wall synthesis, cuticle formation and GA signaling. Overall, the data suggested that the GA4+7 and BA treatment did not modify developmental cues, but promoted or enhanced the innate developmental program.
Identification of candidate genes mediating apple fruit-cracking resistance following the application of gibberellic acids 4 + 7 and the cytokinin 6-benzyladenine
(Elsevier, 2018-06) Joshi, Mukul
Calyx-end cracking in 'Pink Lady' apple is treated by a solution of gibberellic acids 4 and 7 (GA4+7) and the cytokinin 6-benzyladenine (BA). Although the GA4+7 and BA mixture is applied early in apple fruit development, it mitigates cracking that becomes evident in the mature fruit, implying a long-term treatment effect. The reduced incidence of peel cracking is associated with increased epidermal cell density, which is maintained until fruit maturation. Presently, the expression of genes that have been previously reported to be associated with epidermal cell patterning and cuticle formation, or cracking resistance, was monitored in the peel during fruit development and following GA4+7 and BA treatment. For most of the genes whose expression is naturally upregulated during fruit development, the early GA4+7 and BA treatment maintained or further increased the high expression level in the mature peel. Where the expression of a gene was downregulated during development, no change was detected in the treated mature peel. Gene-networking analysis supported the interaction between gene clusters of cell-wall synthesis, cuticle formation and GA signaling. Overall, the data suggested that the GA4+7 and BA treatment did not modify developmental cues, but promoted or enhanced the innate developmental program
Impact of climate change on soil health and nutrient cycling
(CABI, 2025-03) Joshi, Mukul
The soil environment is influenced by different parameters and processes including topography, climate and parent material throughout the landscape. Major soil properties including, (i) soil moisture which plays a fundamental role in interactions between the land and the atmosphere, (ii) soil respiration which is attributed by the soil carbon pool to the atmosphere, (iii) soil organic matter (SOM), and (iv) soil nutrient cycles which go hand-in-hand with ecological restoration practices, are affected by the soil ecosystem. Plant species play a crucial role in nutrient cycling in natural ecosystems, with plant growth, litter quality and herbivory affecting the rates of nutrient cycling. The diversity and activity of soil microorganisms are essential for sustainable agriculture, and organic farming and tillage can improve soil health. Cycling nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, is a vital ecosystem service that incorporates reusing agricultural and municipal organic residues. Soil quality is not a constant value for nutrient cycling or other soil functions, as soil properties can simultaneously enhance or weaken the performance of one or more functions depending on prevailing climatic conditions, and evaluations must be site-specific. Soil health is crucial in delivering various ecosystem services, such as sustaining water quality and plant productivity, controlling soil nutrient recycling and decomposition, and reducing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This chapter focuses on the effects of climate change on soil health and nutrient cycling, leading to variations in plant productivity.
The journey and new breakthroughs of plant growth regulators in tissue culture
(Elsevier, 2022) Joshi, Mukul
Plants use plant growth regulators (PGRs) as chemicals to support their growth, differentiation, and development. Since the early 20th century, plant tissue culture has become an essential tool for plant research, thereby gaining traction on an effective approach to propagate plants in vitro. Beyond all difficulties of the respective time, tissue culture is being used in studies on developmental processes of plants from micropropagation to generation of transgenic plants and many other applications. With natural PGRs, synthetic PGRs are being added to the basket, enabling multiple species to be grown in vitro. Other than widely used auxins and cytokinins, recently characterized PGRs, i.e., brassinosteroids, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid, are opening new avenues to the ways of plant regeneration, including suspension cultures. Novel methods of characterizing endogenous PGR levels with newly identified PGRs will enable improved protocols for growing recalcitrant species.
Matters of the desert: A perspective on achieving food and nutrition security through plants of the (semi) arid regions
(Elsevier, 2023-12) Deepa, P.R.; Sharma, Pankaj Kumar; Joshi, Mukul
The semi- and arid agro-climatic zones of India harbor numerous plants, many occurring as wild and neglected inhabitants of the desert landscape, that bear edible fruits. They are capable of growing in extreme temperatures, on marginal lands and water-scarce conditions. These also represent sustainable food sources for the future. The benefits that they confer to the ecosystems and communities can be manifold: (a) as influencers of agricultural productivity for other crops (like cereals) in agroforestry systems; (b) as balanced functional foods by way of providing high quality protein, macro- and micronutrients to target protein-calorie malnutrition; (c) as sources of antioxidants, nutraceuticals and bioactive leads to target the ever-increasing burden of non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. A few representative examples of the promising desert plants include: Prosopis cineraria, Acacia senegal, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (cluster bean), Capparis decidua, Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube), Cordia dichotoma, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Calligonum polygonoides, and millets. Even though the potential of such plants has been recognized by food and agricultural scientists, research gaps like low yield, disease vulnerability, presence of anti-nutrients, unavailable genomic sequence information, exclusion from the formal food value chain, and poor marketing strategies, prevent the realization of their full potential. The current perspective looks at the promise afforded by underutilized plants of the Indian desert regions in ensuring food and nutrition security as well as the possibility of developing value-added agri-food products from them. The complementary role that food processing technologies can play in achieving the desired goals would also be highlighted so as to transform the desert plants from traditional to ‘climate-smart’ future foods.
Mechanisms of sensing abiotic stress responses in plants
(Elsevier, 2025) Joshi, Mukul
Plants encounter various environmental stresses, and they need unique strategies to adapt to such adverse conditions. This chapter represents the mechanisms of sensing abiotic stresses and responses in plants. This includes the stress signal reception, sensing, and transduction via different factors into intracellular signaling, further inducing stress-responsive genes and proteins. After receiving the stress on the cell surface and sensing it by primary messengers, intracellular Ca2+ ions are major messengers that increase during most stress-induced signal transduction pathways. The induced Ca2+ initiates different pathways for different abiotic stresses and downstream cellular processes, many of which are common to various stresses and result in stress-specific physiological and developmental responses. Significant progress has been made in understanding the early to downstream events in abiotic stress signaling in plants, which is reviewed and documented in this chapter.
Microprojectile bombardment mediated genetic transformation of embryo axes and plant regeneration in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)
(Springer, 2010) Joshi, Mukul
Pre-cultured cumin embryos were bombarded under 27 inches Hg vacuum, 25 mm distance from rupture disc to macrocarrier, 10 mm macrocarrier flight distance using 1100 psi rupture disc and 9 cm microprojectile travel distance. An average of 110 embryos was used per shot and 91% embryos showed transient GUS expression after 24 h. Shoot tips and roots of T0 plantlets exhibited GUS expression done after 3 months of bombardment. Transformation was confirmed with PCR amplification of 0.96 and 1.3 kb band of hptII and gus genes respectively from T0 transgenics and southern blot analysis using PCR amplified DIG labeled hptII gene as probe. It is the first successful attempt of transformation of cumin plant through direct gene transfer using particle gene gun and adequately exhibiting the possibility of stable transformation in cumin.
ML-based technologies in sustainable agro-food production and beyond: Tapping the (semi) arid landscape for bioactives-based product development
(Elsevier, 2024-08) Joshi, Mukul; Deepa, P.R.; Sharma, Pankaj Kumar; Mahapatra, Tanmaya
The current era of rapid climate change necessitates greater emphasis on wild, often underutilized yet sturdy, edible plants that are capable of growing in harsh arid lands. When compared to more popular crops like rice, these are often of traditional significance and more region-specific; but needing less chemical fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water, they can not only provide food and nutrition in a sustainable manner but also medicinally valuable compounds (nutraceuticals) to target various communicable and non-communicable diseases. These bioactive metabolites could also serve as markers for in-process quality control of herbal formulations and as metabolic biomarkers. Of late, a few of the common food crops across the world have benefited from the use of technological interventions, employing various Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors to collect data on the farm and conduct agro-food specific analytics. Machine Learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have found application in numerous facets of agriculture, particularly in tasks such as yield prediction, disease detection, weed detection, crop recognition, and assessing crop quality at pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages. ML technology also has shown potential to be effectively employed at various stages of bioactives discovery, encompassing target identification, compound screening, lead discovery, as well as pre-clinical and clinical development phases. However, the usage of these modern technologies has been less explored in the desert plants of the world. The current article reviews a few available examples and highlights the potential of employing ML and DL technologies in edible plants of the world, with a focus on sustainable desert flora, for achievement of multidisciplinary objectives, that is, agro-food production, food safety and bioactives discovery.
NaCl plays a key role for in vitro micropropagation of Salicornia brachiata, an extreme halophyte
(Elsiever, 2012-01) Joshi, Mukul
A simple and rapid method for micropropagation of succulent, salt accumulator and extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata has been established for the first time using shoot tips and nodes. Individually, BA showed significant response compared to Kn and in combinations, improved shoot proliferation was observed with BA + NAA than BA + 2,4-D, however no significant response was observed with BA + IAA. Percentage of shoot response significantly increased with NaCl treatment in the combination of BA + NAA while BA + 2,4-D + NaCl combination showed reduced shoot proliferation followed by demises of most of cultures. Efficient shoot proliferation was observed with combinations BA (8.9 μM) + NAA (5.37 μM) + NaCl (500 mM) and BA (13.3 μM) + NAA (5.37 μM) + NaCl (250 mM) indicating that NaCl is required for the micropropagation. The developed method will facilitate functional analysis of novel salt responsive gene(s) isolated from S. brachiata and propagation of industrially important elite accessions.
Nutraceutical and flavor profiles in underutilized desert legumes of India: gene editing strategies towards sustainable food development
(Springer, 2023-03) Joshi, Mukul; Deepa, P. R.; Sharma, Pankaj Kumar
Climate change has posed a challenge for food security all over the world in the form of fluctuating crop yields and novel disease outbreaks in plants. Human society’s overdependence on a few food crops does not seem a wise precedence. There are numerous underutilized/orphan/neglected legumes growing in the Indian desert regions that can come to the rescue and act as balanced and sustainable sources of nutrients and health-benefitting nutraceuticals. However, challenges such as low plant yield, unidentified metabolic pathways and off-flavor in the food products derived from them prevent the realization of their full potential. Conventional breeding techniques are too slow to achieve the desired modifications and cater to the sharply rising demand for functional foods. The novel gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas provide more precise tool to manipulate the target genes with or without introduction of foreign DNA and therefore, have better chances to be accepted by governments and societies. The current article reports some of the relevant ‘gene editing’ success stories with respect to nutraceutical and flavor profiles in the popular legumes. It highlights gaps and future potential, along with areas requiring caution, in underutilized edible legumes of the Indian (semi) arid regions like Prosopis cineraria, Acacia senegal and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba.
Oligosaccharide mass profiling of nutritionally important Salicornia brachiata, an extreme halophyte
(Elsiever, 2013-02) Joshi, Mukul
Salicornia brachiata is an extreme halophyte, growing opulently in salt marshes and considered as potential alternative crop for seawater agriculture. Salicornia seeds are rich in protein and tender-shoots are eaten as salad greens. Total cell wall carbohydrate was isolated from seedlings, digested with β-glucanase enzyme cocktail and oligosaccharide mass profiling (OLIMP) was performed by using MALDI TOF-TOF mass spectroscopy. Salicornia OLIMP is represented by characteristic mass peaks m/z 477.3297–2094.4363. MS spectra exhibit xyloglucan oligosaccharide building blocks, dominated by XXXG (1084.9927 m/z). Characteristic mass peaks (m/z) of xyloglucan oligomers (XXG, XXFG, XLXG and XLFG) were also detected, which showed resemblance to the mass profile of highly nutritious plant soybean. The present study is the first report on OLIMP for any edible halophyte, so far. OLIMP supports use of Salicornia as a potential source of dietary supplementation. Further linkage-analysis is required to get the structural information of oligosaccharides
Pomegranate Fruit Growth and Skin Characteristics in Hot and Dry Climate
(Frontiers, 2021) Joshi, Mukul
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit is well known for its health-beneficial metabolites. The pomegranate peel consists of an inner thick spongy white tissue, and an outer smooth skin layer that accumulates anthocyanins in red cultivars when ripe. The skin is made up of epidermis cells covered by a cuticle, the latter being the first target of cracking and russeting. The present study focuses on the effect of Israel's hot and dry climate on pomegranate growth, to elucidate the derived effects on fruit skin characteristics and its putative resistance to the building pressure from fruit expansion. Experiments were conducted for four years, in four orchards located in different regions of the country, each with a different typical microclimate. Fruit-growth parameters were followed using remote-sensing tools, microscopic study, and mineral analysis of the skin, followed by determination of the peel's elastic modulus. Fruit expanded in two phases: a short rapid phase followed by a gradual phase with a sigmoidal growth-rate pattern. Extreme hot and dry climate during the period of maximal growth rate was associated with restricted growth and a high proportion of small-size fruit. Anatomical study indicated that the skin of mature pomegranate fruit is made up of epidermal cells that are relatively flat and spaced apart, and is expected to be less durable against internal pressure. In contrast, skin of early immature fruit has two layers of dense and rounded epidermis, and is expected to be more resistant to cracking. Tensile strength studies confirmed this trend-skin of mature fruit had a lower elastic modulus than young fruit. However, restrained growth due to extreme environmental cues may result in better resistance of the mature pomegranate fruit to cracking, and in better skin quality and appearance, albeit small fruits. On the other hand, temperate climate at the beginning of the growth period, which allows high growth rate and high daily shrinkage, leads to pomegranate skin disorders.
Potato root system development and factors that determine its architecture
(Elsiever, 2016) Joshi, Mukul
The potato root system is often characterized as shallow and inefficient, with poor ability to extract water and minerals from the soil. Potato root system architecture (RSA) refers to its 3-dimensional structure as determined by adventitious root (AR) growth and branching through lateral roots (LR). Understanding how the root system develops holds potential to increase plant yield and optimize agricultural land use. Root system development was monitored in greenhouse-grown potato while a root-on-a-plate assay was developed to explore factors that affect AR and LR development. Expression study of LR-related genes was conducted. Transgenic plants carrying DR5:GFP and CycB1:GUS reporter genes were used to monitor auxin signaling and cell division during root primordia formation, respectively. Maximum root development occurred mainly during the 6-week post seed-tuber planting and slowed during the onset of tuberization. AR and LR development was coordinated − a positive correlation was found between the length of AR and LR and between LR length and number. The expression of LR-related genes was higher in LR than in AR. High nitrate levels reduced LR number and length, however ablation of root-cap by high temperature (33 °C) or cutting resulted with enhanced formation of LR. Growth conditions affect AR and LR development in potato, determining the final architecture of its root system. The overall results indicate that LR formation in potato follows similar pattern as in model plants, facilitating study and manipulation of its RSA to improve soil exploitation and yield.