TLDR RD26 controls root hair growth during drought by repressing key genes, helping plants save energy.
The study demonstrates that the NAC transcription factor RD26 is a key regulator of root hair growth in response to drought stress in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant. RD26 directly represses RSL4 and RSL1, two master transcription regulators of root hair morphogenesis, and also represses core cell wall modification genes. This repression restricts root hair growth under drought conditions, serving as an adaptive strategy to conserve cellular energy. The study also found that a similar regulatory network exists in tomato plants, suggesting an evolutionary conservation of this mechanism across species.
75 citations,
July 2016 in “New phytologist” The protein RSL4 is crucial for making root hairs longer by controlling genes related to cell growth.
37 citations,
August 2014 in “Journal of experimental botany” A gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, AtPRPL1, affects root hair length but not cell wall composition.
274 citations,
June 2011 in “Science” Proteins with added sugars are crucial for plant root hair growth.
188 citations,
May 2009 in “Plant physiology” Researchers found 19 genes important for root hair growth in a plant called Arabidopsis.
Plant roots respond to fungus smells by possibly using certain proteins and a plant hormone to change root growth, but more research is needed.
October 2024 in “Journal of Plant Growth Regulation” Fusarium sp. strain K-23 helps Arabidopsis plants grow better in salty soil by promoting root hair growth.
1 citations,
July 2023 in “Horticulture research” Tiny RNA molecules help control the growth of plant hairs.
61 citations,
May 2015 in “Planta” Certain fungi and bacteria help orchid seeds germinate and plants grow better.
11 citations,
December 2020 in “Notulae botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca” Mycorrhizal fungi and shading improve tea plant growth and nutrient uptake by changing hormone levels and gene expression.
