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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

An LCO-responsive homolog of NODULE INCEPTION positively regulates lateral root formation in Populus sp.

Abstract The transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) has been studied extensively for its multiple roles in root nodule symbiosis within plants of the nitrogen-fixing clade (NFC) that associate with soil bacteria, such as rhizobia and Frankia. However, NIN homologs are present in plants outside the NFC, suggesting a role in other developmental processes. Here, we show that the biofuel crop Populus sp., which is not part of the NFC, contains eight copies of NIN with diversified protein sequence and expression patterns. Lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) are produced by rhizobia and a wide range of fungi, including mycorrhizal ones, and act as symbiotic signals that promote lateral root formation. RNAseq analysis of Populus sp. treated with purified LCO showed induction of the PtNIN2 subfamily. Moreover, the expression of PtNIN2b correlated with the formation of lateral roots and was suppressed by cytokinin treatment. Constitutive expression of PtNIN2b overcame the inhibition of lateral root development by cytokinin under high nitrate conditions. Lateral root induction in response to LCOs likely represents an ancestral function of NIN retained and repurposed in nodulating plants, as we demonstrate that the role of NIN in LCO-induced root branching is conserved in both Populus sp. and legumes. We further established a visual marker of LCO perception in Populus sp. roots, the putative sulfotransferase PtSS1 that can be used to study symbiotic interactions with the bacterial and fungal symbionts of Populus sp.

Irving, Thomas B. (ORCID:0000000330404543)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Root lateral interactions drive water uptake patterns under water limitation

The plasticity of root water uptake determines the maintenance of transpiration during periods of water limitation and drought. However, the mechanistic basis of plant water uptake, as well as the implications of water uptake strategies at the individual and ecosystem scale remain elusive. We model three-dimensional root water uptake under variably saturated conditions for a one-hectare temperate forest plot for a growing season with a pronounced mid-season dry period. Variations in root architecture, hydraulic properties, and degree of lateral interaction between root systems produce divergent local responses to water limitation and provide insights on individual and community response to meteorological conditions. Results demonstrate the plasticity of ecosystem-scale responses to surface drying, where interacting roots shift regions of active uptake to deeper soil layers with less abundant root biomass. These shifts, a product of both root system and soil hydraulic properties, illustrate intimate links between root and soil hydraulics in determining plant water sourcing. Furthermore, we demonstrate that root lateral interactions are beneficial at the ecosystem-scale, even when trees compete for water. Specifically, a more spatially extensive root system facilitates access to a larger soil water reservoir, often ameliorating water limitation and reducing sharp water potential gradients. While the reduction of water stress is a benefit, it can be offset by increased root construction and maintenance costs associated with the larger rooting system. A plausible “viability” region of root communal co-existence is therefore implied where competitive pressures and root production costs are balanced by a potential water benefit.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

A temporal analysis and response to nitrate availability of 3D root system architecture in diverse pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) accessions

Introduction Roots have a central role in plant resource capture and are the interface between the plant and the soil that affect multiple ecosystem processes. Field pennycress ( Thlaspi arvense L.) is a diploid annual cover crop species that has potential utility for reducing soil erosion and nutrient losses; and has rich seeds (30-35% oil) amenable to biofuel production and as a protein animal feed. The objective of this research was to (1) precisely characterize root system architecture and development, (2) understand plastic responses of pennycress roots to nitrate nutrition, (3) and determine genotypic variance available in root development and nitrate plasticity. Methods Using a root imaging and analysis pipeline, the 4D architecture of the pennycress root system was characterized under four nitrate regimes, ranging from zero to high nitrate concentrations. These measurements were taken at four time points (days 5, 9, 13, and 17 after sowing). Results Significant nitrate condition response and genotype interactions were identified for many root traits, with the greatest impact observed on lateral root traits. In trace nitrate conditions, a greater lateral root count, length, density, and a steeper lateral root angle was observed compared to high nitrate conditions. Additionally, genotype-by-nitrate condition interaction was observed for root width, width:depth ratio, mean lateral root length, and lateral root density. Discussion These findings illustrate root trait variance among pennycress accessions. These traits could serve as targets for breeding programs aimed at developing improved cover crops that are responsive to nitrate, leading to enhanced productivity, resilience, and ecosystem service.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Theoretical evidence that root penetration ability interacts with soil compaction regimes to affect nitrate capture

Abstract Background and Aims Although root penetration of strong soils has been intensively studied at the scale of individual root axes, interactions between soil physical properties and soil foraging by whole plants are less clear. Here we investigate how variation in the penetration ability of distinct root classes and bulk density profiles common to real-world soils interact to affect soil foraging strategies. Methods We utilize the functional–structural plant model ‘OpenSimRoot’ to simulate the growth of maize (Zea mays) root systems with variable penetration ability of axial and lateral roots in soils with (1) uniform bulk density, (2) plow pans and (3) increasing bulk density with depth. We also modify the availability and leaching of nitrate to uncover reciprocal interactions between these factors and the capture of mobile resources. Key Results Soils with plow pans and bulk density gradients affected overall size, distribution and carbon costs of the root system. Soils with high bulk density at depth impeded rooting depth and reduced leaching of nitrate, thereby improving the coincidence of nitrogen and root length. While increasing penetration ability of either axial or lateral root classes produced root systems of comparable net length, improved penetration of axial roots increased allocation of root length in deeper soil, thereby amplifying N acquisition and shoot biomass. Although enhanced penetration ability of both root classes was associated with greater root system carbon costs, the benefit to plant fitness from improved soil exploration and resource capture offset these. Conclusions While lateral roots comprise the bulk of root length, axial roots function as a scaffold determining the distribution of these laterals. In soils with high soil strength and leaching, root systems with enhanced penetration ability of axial roots have greater distribution of root length at depth, thereby improving capture of mobile resources.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

BUZZ : an essential gene for postinitiation root hair growth and a mediator of root architecture in Brachypodium distachyon

Here, we discover a player in root development. Recovered from a forward-genetic screen in Brachypodium distachyon, the buzz mutant initiates root hairs but they fail to elongate. In addition, buzz roots grow twice as fast as wild-type roots. Also, lateral roots show increased sensitivity to nitrate, whereas primary roots are less sensitive to nitrate. Using whole-genome resequencing, we identified the causal single nucleotide polymorphism as occurring in a conserved but previously uncharacterized cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-like gene. The buzz mutant phenotypes are rescued by the wild-type B. distachyon BUZZ coding sequence and by an apparent homolog in Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, T-DNA mutants in A. thaliana BUZZ have shorter root hairs. BUZZ mRNA localizes to epidermal cells and develops root hairs and, in the latter, partially colocalizes with the NRT1.1A nitrate transporter. Based on qPCR and RNA-Seq, buzz overexpresses ROOT HAIRLESS LIKE SIX-1 and -2 and misregulates genes related to hormone signaling, RNA processing, cytoskeletal, and cell wall organization, and to the assimilation of nitrate. Overall, these data demonstrate that BUZZ is required for tip growth after root hair initiation and root architectural responses to nitrate.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Plant-microbial interplay for organic nitrogen mediated by functional specificity of root compartments

The organic form of nitrogen (N) is a critical intermediate in mutualistic and competitive root-microbial interactions, mediated by extracellular enzymes. Visualization of the hotspots of organic N and proteolytic activity might be valuable for revealing root functional specificity in N acquisition and transformation at the level of individual roots and compartments. For the first time, we used time-lapse amino-mapping and zymography to co-localize and map the spatial distribution of amino-N and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity in the soil and different root parts of maize (Zea mays L.). Amino-N distribution was mainly associated with seminal roots and root tips, where it overlapped with LAP activity hotspots. In the lateral roots and bulk soil, however, LAP activity was decoupled from amino-N. Distinct functional traits revealed themselves as the highest amino-N content and LAP activity in seminal root tips and as the largest relative extent of the rhizosphere in lateral root tips. Co-localized amino-N and LAP activities highlighted different nutrient acquisition strategies mediated by root-microbe interactions, depending on the root compartment. Seminal roots and their tips appeared to adopt mutualistic strategies, potentially attracting root-associated microorganisms through releasing oligo- and polypeptides. In contrast, lateral roots, with amino-N detected only at their tips, demonstrated stronger N competition, relying on the enzyme activity of the rhizosphere microbial community for N acquisition. These insights emphasized the role of root functional specialization in shaping plant-microbe interactions, offering pathways to enhance nutrient use efficiency.

Maize (Zea mays L.)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bioenergy sorghum’s deep roots: A key to sustainable biomass production on annual cropland

Abstract Bioenergy sorghum has high biomass yield potential, drought resilience, good nitrogen use efficiency, and a root system that contributes to the accumulation of soil organic carbon. In this study, field grown bioenergy sorghum root systems were analyzed during the growing season to characterize their depth, biomass, morphology, anatomy, and gene expression profiles. Bioenergy sorghum roots grew continuously during a 155‐day growing season producing ~175 nodal roots, accumulating ~7 Mg of dry biomass per hectare, and reaching >2 m deep in the soil profile. Nodal roots within 20 cm of the stem were 1–5 mm in diameter, whereas roots deeper in soil profiles were enriched in lateral roots with small diameters (~30–500 µm) enabling growth through soil macropores. In older field‐grown plants, roots with intact endodermal, vascular and inner root tissues were surrounded by degraded or aerenchyma‐filled epidermal and cortical cell layers. Transcriptome analysis of nodal, surface, and deep roots identified >2,500 differentially expressed genes involved in root growth, transport, adaptation, defense, and AMF–root interaction. Deep roots (180–240 cm) differentially expressed genes that regulate lateral root growth. Surface roots (0–20 cm) located mid‐row differentially expressed genes involved in nitrate transport, whereas ammonium transport genes were expressed in surface and deep roots and genes involved in phosphate transport were expressed in nodal, surface, and deep roots. Overall, bioenergy sorghum's long growing season enables root systems to grow deeper and accumulate more biomass than annual grain crops such as maize, attributes that could help restore annual cropland soil organic carbon levels and improve soil productivity. Deep roots active in nutrient transport are positioned to take‐up fertilizer leached deep into soil profiles mitigating potential nutrient run‐off. Bioenergy sorghum's large and deep root system is a key to sustainable production of biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts on annual cropland.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Non-linear hydrologic organization

We revisit three variants of the well-known Stommel diagrams that have been used to summarize knowledge of characteristic scales in time and space of some important hydrologic phenomena and modified these diagrams focusing on spatiotemporal scaling analyses of the underlying hydrologic processes. In the present paper we focus on soil formation, vegetation growth, and drainage network organization. We use existing scaling relationships for vegetation growth and soil formation, both of which refer to the same fundamental length and timescales defining flow rates at the pore scale but different powers of the power law relating time and space. The principle of a hierarchical organization of optimal subsurface flow paths could underlie both root lateral spread (RLS) of vegetation and drainage basin organization. To assess the applicability of scaling, and to extend the Stommel diagrams, data for soil depth, vegetation root lateral spread, and drainage basin length have been accessed. The new data considered here include timescales out to 150 Myr that correspond to depths of up to 240 m and horizontal length scales up to 6400 km and probe the limits of drainage basin development in time, depth, and horizontal extent.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Consequences of Altered Root Nutrient Uptake for Soil Carbon Stabilization (Final Report)

Objectives: The primary objectives of this project are to improve our understanding of tropical forest belowground processes, and to increase representation of this biome in ecosystem-scale and global C cycle models. Belowground dynamics present a major source of uncertainty inhibiting our ability to predict C cycle responses to climate change. Representation of tropical forests in these models is particularly lacking, even though these ecosystems hold >25% of terrestrial C stocks. While the majority of humid tropical forests exist on relatively infertile soils (i.e. poor in rock-derived nutrients), enormous gradients in soil nutrient availability exist at landscape-scales due to shifts in geology and soil order. Soil fertility is likely to greatly influence how tropical soil C storage will respond to the declines in precipitation predicted for the tropics. In particular, root dynamics vary across soil fertility gradients, with roots representing the major input of C to subsurface soils. Root characteristics related to soil fertility include biomass, turnover, C exudates, tissue chemistry, and nutrient uptake rates, with each of these likely sensitive to changes in moisture. The proposed project will fully integrate field research with an existing ecosystem model to assess potential effects of drying on belowground tropical C dynamics across a range of soil fertilities. Project Description:. This project will identify key linkages among soil fertility, root nutrient uptake, root dynamics, and soil C storage. The hypothesized framework for understanding these linkages is: Tropical rainforest roots in relatively fertile soils have lesser root biomass, faster turnover, fewer exudates, and improved root tissue quality relative to infertile sites, all resulting from increased root nutrient uptake. Ultimately, these root characteristics in fertile soils promote proportionally greater long-term soil C storage in organo-mineral associations. Specifically, lower root exudates and improved root tissue quality in fertile soils reduce microbial respiration of extant soil C (i.e. “priming) and increase microbial C use efficiency, leading to sorption of protein-rich microbial and plant organic matter on soil mineral surfaces. However, the larger pools of mineral-associated C in fertile tropical soils are more vulnerable to decreased rainfall than smaller C pools in infertile soils, in part because of the lesser root biomass, faster turnover, and softer, more labile root tissues. Also, the shallower lateral rooting structures typical in fertile soils experience greater desiccation and death than deeper roots in infertile sites, with little short-term adaptation to drying.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Characterization of growth and development of sorghum genotypes with differential susceptibility to Striga hermonthica

Two sorghum varieties, Shanqui Red (SQR) and SRN39, have distinct levels of susceptibility to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, which have been attributed to different strigolactone composition within their root exudates. Root exudates of the Striga-susceptible variety Shanqui Red (SQR) contain primarily 5-deoxystrigol, which has a high efficiency for inducing Striga germination. SRN39 roots primarily exude orobanchol, leading to reduced Striga germination and making this variety resistant to Striga. The structural diversity in exuded strigolactones is determined by a polymorphism in the LOW GERMINATION STIMULANT 1 (LGS1) locus. Yet, the genetic diversity between SQR and SRN39 is broad and has not been addressed in terms of growth and development. Here, we demonstrate additional differences between SQR and SRN39 by phenotypic and molecular characterization. A suite of genes related to metabolism was differentially expressed between SQR and SRN39. Increased levels of gibberellin precursors in SRN39 were accompanied by slower growth rate and developmental delay and we observed an overall increased SRN39 biomass. The slow-down in growth and differences in transcriptome profiles of SRN39 were strongly associated with plant age. Additionally, enhanced lateral root growth was observed in SRN39 and three additional genotypes exuding primarily orobanchol. In summary, we demonstrate that the differences between SQR and SRN39 reach further than the changes in strigolactone profile in the root exudate and translate into alterations in growth and development.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Pinoresinol rescues developmental phenotypes of Arabidopsis phenylpropanoid mutants overexpressing FERULATE 5-HYDROXYLASE

Most phenylpropanoid pathway flux is directed toward the production of monolignols, but this pathway also generates multiple bioactive metabolites. The monolignols coniferyl and sinapyl alcohol polymerize to form guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) units in lignin, components that are characteristic of plant secondary cell walls. Lignin negatively impacts the saccharification potential of lignocellulosic biomass. Although manipulation of its content and composition through genetic engineering has reduced biomass recalcitrance, in some cases, these genetic manipulations lead to impaired growth. Here, the reduced-growth phenotype is often attributed to poor water transport due to xylem collapse in low-lignin mutants, but alternative models suggest that it could be caused by the hyper- or hypoaccumulation of phenylpropanoid intermediates. In Arabidopsis thaliana, overexpression of FERULATE 5-HYDROXYLASE (F5H) shifts the normal G/S lignin ratio to nearly pure S lignin and does not result in substantial changes to plant growth. In contrast, when we overexpressed F5H in the low-lignin mutants cinnamyl dehydrogenase c and d (cadc cadd), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase 1, and reduced epidermal fluorescence 3, plant growth was severely compromised. In addition, cadc cadd plants overexpressing F5H exhibited defects in lateral root development. Exogenous coniferyl alcohol (CA) and its dimeric coupling product, pinoresinol, rescue these phenotypes. These data suggest that mutations in the phenylpropanoid pathway limit the biosynthesis of pinoresinol, and this effect is exacerbated by overexpression of F5H, which further draws down cellular pools of its precursor, CA. Overall, these genetic manipulations appear to restrict the synthesis of pinoresinol or a downstream metabolite that is necessary for plant growth.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Interactions among rooting traits for deep water and nitrogen uptake in upland and lowland ecotypes of switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.)

Abstract The response of plant growth and development to nutrient and water availability is an important adaptation for abiotic stress tolerance. Roots need to intercept both passing nutrients and water while foraging into new soil layers for further resources. Substantial amounts of nitrate can be lost in the field when leaching into groundwater, yet very little is known about how deep rooting affects this process. Here, we phenotyped root system traits and deep 15N nitrate capture across 1.5 m vertical profiles of solid media using tall mesocosms in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a promising cellulosic bioenergy feedstock. Root and shoot biomass traits, photosynthesis and respiration measures, and nutrient uptake and accumulation traits were quantified in response to a water and nitrate stress factorial experiment for switchgrass upland (VS16) and lowland (AP13) ecotypes. The two switchgrass ecotypes shared common plastic abiotic responses to nitrogen (N) and water availability, and yet had substantial genotypic variation for root and shoot traits. A significant interaction between N and water stress combination treatments for axial and lateral root traits represents a complex and shared root development strategy for stress mitigation. Deep root growth and 15N capture were found to be closely linked to aboveground growth. Together, these results represent the wide genetic pool of switchgrass and show that deep rooting promotes nitrate capture, plant productivity, and sustainability.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

The WUSCHELa ( PtoWUSa ) is Involved in Developmental Plasticity of Adventitious Root in Poplar

WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) transcription factors play critical roles in cell fate determination during plant development. As the founding member of the WOX family, WUSCHEL (WUS) is characterized for its role in maintaining stem cell in meristem. In this study, we investigated the function of Populus tomentosa WUSCHELa (PtoWUSa) in adventitious roots (ARs) in poplar. Expression profile analysis showed that PtoWUSa was not only expressed in shoot apical meristem and stem, but also expressed in ARs. Ectopic expression of PtoWUSa in Arabidopsis resulted in shortened primary root, as well as agravitropism and multiple branches. Overexpression of PtoWUSa in poplar increased the number of ARs but decreased their length. Moreover, the AR tip and lateral root tip became larger and swollen. In addition, the expression of auxin transporter genes PIN-FORMED were downregulated in ARs of transgenic plant. Taken together, these results suggest that PtoWUSa could be involved in AR development in poplar through regulating the polar auxin transport in ARs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

The soil pore structure encountered by roots affects plant‐derived carbon inputs and fate

Summary Plant roots are the main supplier of carbon (C) to the soil, the largest terrestrial C reservoir. Soil pore structure drives root growth, yet how it affects belowground C inputs remains a critical knowledge gap. By combining X‐ray computed tomography with 14 C plant labelling, we identified root–soil contact as a previously unrecognised influence on belowground plant C allocations and on the fate of plant‐derived C in the soil. Greater contact with the surrounding soil, when the growing root encounters a pore structure dominated by small (< 40 μm Ø) pores, results in strong rhizodeposition but in areas of high microbial activity. The root system of Rudbeckia hirta revealed high plasticity and thus maintained high root–soil contact. This led to greater C inputs across a wide range of soil pore structures. The root–soil contact Panicum virgatum , a promising bioenergy feedstock crop, was sensitive to the encountered structure. Pore structure built by a polyculture, for example, restored prairie, can be particularly effective in promoting lateral root growth and thus root–soil contact and associated C benefits. The findings suggest that the interaction of pore structure with roots is an important, previously unrecognised, stimulus of soil C gains.

Plant Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2022

Interspecific variation in the timing and magnitude of hydraulic redistribution in a forest with distinct water sources

Trees regulate water availability among their rooting strata through a nocturnal, passive transference of water known as hydraulic redistribution (HR). This study investigates differences in HR and groundwater use among common canopy species in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill., Pinaceae) woodlands and explores environmental factors influencing HR. HR was estimated by sap flux of lateral roots and main stems of three mature canopy species (P. palustris, Quercus laevis Walter., Fagaceae and Quercus margarettae Ashe., Fagaceae). We used δ18O and δD of xylem water, soil water, and groundwater to determine water source. Finally, we related HR to environmental factors (Temperature, VWC, VPD) to better understand controls of HR dynamics. Pinus palustris had higher water use than either Quercus species, and also redistributed significantly more water as a nocturnal subsidy. HR fluxes were inversely related with mean nightly temperature and independent of shallow soil moisture. Stable isotope mixing models, based on δ 18 O and δD, indicated that all species have access to groundwater, but utilized shallow soil water in differing amounts when available. In systems with strong water potential gradients among soil strata, any species with access to a groundwater source is likely capable of HR; however, the magnitude of HR varies significantly by species, even among closely related taxa.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Serendipita bescii promotes winter wheat growth and modulates the host root transcriptome under phosphorus and nitrogen starvation

Summary Serendipita vermifera ssp. bescii , hereafter referred to as S. bescii , is a root‐associated fungus that promotes plant growth in both its native switchgrass host and a variety of monocots and dicots. Winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), a dual‐purpose crop, used for both forage and grain production, significantly contributes to the agricultural economies of the Southern Great Plains, USA. In this study, we investigated the influence of S. bescii on growth and transcriptome regulation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) metabolism in winter wheat. Serendipita bescii significantly improved lateral root growth and forage biomass under a limited N or P regime. Further, S. bescii activated sets of host genes regulating N and P starvation responses. These genes include, root‐specific auxin transport, strigolactone and gibberellin biosynthesis, degradation of phospholipids and biosynthesis of glycerolipid, downregulation of ammonium transport and nitrate assimilation, restriction of protein degradation by autophagy and subsequent N remobilization. All these genes are hypothesized to regulate acquisition, assimilation and remobilization of N and P. Based on transcriptional level gene regulation and physiological responses to N or P limitation, we suggest S. bescii plays a critical role in modulating stress imposed by limitation of these two critical nutrients in winter wheat.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 regulates leaf development, root system architecture and arbuscular‐mycorrhizal symbiosis in Brachypodium distachyon

SUMMARY KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) is an α/β‐hydrolase required for plant responses to karrikins, which are abiotic butenolides that can influence seed germination and seedling growth. Although represented by four angiosperm species, loss‐of‐function kai2 mutants are phenotypically inconsistent and incompletely characterised, resulting in uncertainties about the core functions of KAI2 in plant development. Here we characterised the developmental functions of KAI2 in the grass Brachypodium distachyon using molecular, physiological and biochemical approaches. Bdkai2 mutants exhibit increased internode elongation and reduced leaf chlorophyll levels, but only a modest increase in water loss from detached leaves. Bdkai2 shows increased numbers of lateral roots and reduced root hair growth, and fails to support normal root colonisation by arbuscular‐mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The karrikins KAR 1 and KAR 2 , and the strigolactone (SL) analogue rac ‐GR24, each elicit overlapping but distinct changes to the shoot transcriptome via BdKAI2. Finally, we show that BdKAI2 exhibits a clear ligand preference for desmethyl butenolides and weak responses to methyl‐substituted SL analogues such as GR24. Our findings suggest that KAI2 has multiple roles in shoot development, root system development and transcriptional regulation in grasses. Although KAI2‐dependent AM symbiosis is likely conserved within monocots, the magnitude of the effect of KAI2 on water relations may vary across angiosperms.

Meng, Yongjie↗
DOE OSTI2025

Rational Modulation of Plant Root Development Using Engineered Cytokinin Regulators

Achieving precise control over quantitative developmental phenotypes is a key objective in plant biology. Recent advances in synthetic biology have enabled tools to reprogram entire developmental pathways; however, the complexity of designing synthetic genetic programs and the inherent interactions between various signaling processes remains a critical challenge. Here, we leverage Type-B response regulators to modulate the expression of genes involved in cytokinin-dependent growth and development processes. We rationally engineered these regulators to modulate their transcriptional activity (i.e., repression or activation) and potency while reducing their sensitivity to cytokinin. By localizing the expression of these engineered transcription factors using tissue-specific promoters, we can predictably tune cytokinin-regulated traits. As a proof of principle, we deployed this synthetic system in Arabidopsis thaliana to either decrease or increase the number of lateral roots. The simplicity and modularity of our approach makes it an ideal system for controlling other developmental phenotypes of agronomic interest in plants.

Cell signaling↗