After the infection of Agrobacterium rhizogenes,a large number of fast-growing adventitious roots were induced in plants,usually called hairy roots.Hairy roots were characterized by rapid growth,stable heredity,growth autonomously without the addition of exogenous hormones and synthesis of secondary metabolites.By optimizing the cultivation conditions,the goal of increasing the yield of secondary metabolites was achieved.The mechanism of hairy roots induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes in plants was briefly explained in this paper.The influence factors of the synthesis of secondary metabolites in hairy roots and the ap-plication of hairy roots in the synthesis of secondary metabolites,environmental remediation,and plant regeneration in the past 5 years were emphatically introduced.The problems existing in the cultivation process of hairy roots were summarized,aiming to provide reference for the research and application in hairy roots.