We previously recommended an improved soil profile method to grasp root system morphology of field-grown crops. As a next step to consider function of their root system, we chose in-growth core method (or mesh bag method) from several methods developed to understand root system development so far. In-growth core method will be superior to examine root system development, because it enables us to calculate the balance between formation and dying of roots, though it also has several issues to improve including soil disruption. In-growth core method has been used for study on the root turnover in perennial plants such as forage grass and trees, and we think it better to introduce this method for root research of annual crops as well. It will lead to understand material balance in agricultural ecosystem including global warming countermeasures.

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