Trait‐based approaches provide a useful framework for ecologists to investigate plant strategies and plant impacts on ecosystem process. However, insufficient data of belowground traits has prevented development of the belowground component in this framework for a long time. It is widely recognized among ecologists that root traits are far less frequently studied than leaf traits mainly due to the difficulty in quantifying many root traits. This argument is still true today, but persistent efforts in collecting global data of root traits, as well as the fast development of modern techniques in root phenotyping are both driving the revolution on root trait studies. The relatively simple root traits, such as root morphology and architecture, are now becoming much less insufficient for many plant species. Increasing available root trait data has been organized into public database (e.g. Fine Root Ecology Database), making it less ‘painful’ to analyze the regional and global patterns of root traits. The great increase in global root trait data has raised the question on what the next topics are in the priority list of belowground trait-based ecology. The goal of this proposed session is to bring together researchers in this area to present the most recent accomplishment of root trait studies and discuss their thoughts and ideas on the future directions of belowground trait-based ecology. Topics include, but are not limited to, 1) what are the genetic mechanisms of root trait variation and how to genetically control root traits for sustainable carbon, nutrient and water sequestration (York and Khasanova); 2) how to leverage this large amount of root trait data for a better understanding of the role of root traits in whole-plant functioning and ecosystem processes (McCormack); 3) what root traits are most sensitive to global change, and how changes in root traits could feedback to ecosystem processes (Wang and Lu); 4) interaction between root traits and soil microorganisms (Kong and Khasanova). Answers to all these newly emerged challenges could pave a way to the next-generation research on belowground trait-based ecology.