Melatonin Modulates Tomato Root Morphology by Regulating Key Genes and Endogenous Hormones

    January 2024 in “ Plants ”
    Tian Qiang, Guangzheng Wang, Jianhua Dou, Nengwang Yu, Ruirui Li, Won Suk An, Zhongqi Tang, Jiangnan Yu
    TLDR Melatonin improves tomato root growth and plant health at certain levels by affecting genes and hormones but can damage roots at high levels.
    The study found that exogenous melatonin at concentrations of 10-30 μmol·L−1 significantly promotes the development of lateral roots, root hair growth, and increases biomass accumulation and root activity in hydroponically grown tomato plants. This is achieved by influencing the expression of key genes (SlCDKA1, SlCYCA3;1, SlARF2, SlF3H, and SlKT1) and the levels of endogenous hormones (ZT, GA3, IAA, ABA, and BR). However, concentrations exceeding 50 μmol·L−1 were found to cause significant damage to root development. The study provides evidence supporting melatonin's role in regulating plant growth and development, suggesting potential applications in enhancing plant growth and crop yield.
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