A plant ideotype worth its salt

Plant architectural innovations have been fundamental in improving plant production. With a changing climate, salt stress is an increasing threat to agricultural production, but if and how plant architecture contributes to salt tolerance remains unclear. We review recent studies on the regulation of (lateral) root, root hair, flower development, halotropism and shade avoidance during salt stress and formulate a plant model that brings together architectural and physiological features contributing to salt tolerance. The review highlights open questions on the role of plant architecture in salt tolerance and offers a starting point for developing a salt-tolerant ideotype.