The induction and application of plant hairy roots

Agrobacterium rhizogenes induces the neoplastic growth of plant cells that differentiate to form hairy roots. Hairy roots are characterized with a high growth rate and genetic stability which are widely used as a transgenic tool for the production of secondary metabolites, detoxification of environmental pollutants and breeding of crop species. In the present paper, the induction of hairy roots by A. rhizogenes and the recent development of the plant hairy roots application were reviewed. Meanwhile, the associated potential problems and future development prospects were also discussed. These reviews will provide references for the application of hairy roots in the field of pratacultural science.