BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Root hydrotropism is a response to water-potential gradients that makes roots bend towards areas of higher water potential. The gene MIZU-KUSSEI1 (MIZ1) that is essential for hydrotropism in Arabidopsis roots has previously been identified. However, the role of root hydrotropism in plant growth and survival under natural conditions has not yet been proven. This study assessed how hydrotropic response contributes to drought avoidance in nature. METHODS: An experimental system was established for the study of Arabidopsis hydrotropism in soil. Characteristics of hydrotropism were analysed by comparing the responses of the miz1 mutant, transgenic plants overexpressing MIZ1 (MIZ1OE) and wild-type plants. KEY RESULTS: Wild-type plants developed root systems in regions with higher water potential, whereas the roots of miz1 mutant plants did not show a similar response. This pattern of root distribution induced by hydrotropism was more pronounced in MIZ1OE plants than in wild-type plants. In addition, shoot biomass and the number of plants that survived under drought conditions were much greater in MIZ1OE plants. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that hydrotropism plays an important role in root system development in soil and contributes to drought avoidance, which results in a greater yield and plant survival under water-limited conditions. The results also show that MIZ1 overexpression can be used for improving plant productivity in arid areas.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Root hydrotropism is a response to water-potential gradients that makes roots bend towards areas of higher water potential. The gene MIZU-KUSSEI1 (MIZ1) that is essential for hydrotropism in Arabidopsis roots has previously been identified. However, the role of root hydrotropism in plant growth and survival under natural conditions has not yet been proven. This study assessed how hydrotropic response contributes to drought avoidance in nature. METHODS: An experimental system was established for the study of Arabidopsis hydrotropism in soil. Characteristics of hydrotropism were analysed by comparing the responses of the miz1 mutant, transgenic plants overexpressing MIZ1 (MIZ1OE) and wild-type plants. KEY RESULTS: Wild-type plants developed root systems in regions with higher water potential, whereas the roots of miz1 mutant plants did not show a similar response. This pattern of root distribution induced by hydrotropism was more pronounced in MIZ1OE plants than in wild-type plants. In addition, shoot biomass and the number of plants that survived under drought conditions were much greater in MIZ1OE plants. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that hydrotropism plays an important role in root system development in soil and contributes to drought avoidance, which results in a greater yield and plant survival under water-limited conditions. The results also show that MIZ1 overexpression can be used for improving plant productivity in arid areas.
Entities:
Keywords:
Arabidopsis thaliana; MIZU-KUSSEI1 (MIZ1); drought avoidance; hydrotropism; root system
Authors: Delfeena Eapen; María Luisa Barroso; María Eugenia Campos; Georgina Ponce; Gabriel Corkidi; Joseph G Dubrovsky; Gladys I Cassab Journal: Plant Physiol Date: 2003-02 Impact factor: 8.340
Authors: Norma Fàbregas; Fidel Lozano-Elena; David Blasco-Escámez; Takayuki Tohge; Cristina Martínez-Andújar; Alfonso Albacete; Sonia Osorio; Mariana Bustamante; José Luis Riechmann; Takahito Nomura; Takao Yokota; Ana Conesa; Francisco Pérez Alfocea; Alisdair R Fernie; Ana I Caño-Delgado Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2018-11-08 Impact factor: 14.919