Single Root hair growth under constant force: insights into wall mechanics

The study developed a novel protocol combining optical microscopy and a custom rheometer to measure growth rate reduction and instantaneous compression in Arabidopsis root hairs under applied axial force. This validated Lockhart's viscoplastic model for tip-growing cells and provided in situ estimates of turgor pressure, yield turgor pressure, and cell wall viscosity. The approach can be adapted to other species and conditions, offering insights into cell wall mechanosensitivity and environmental adaptation of tip growth.