As soils harden, roots reveal a previously unknown ability to adapt
Scientific news
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in plant root signaling in response to various stimuli through calcium transients that activate ROS-producing enzymes. In this study, the researchers show that these ROS are not essential for root bending, but they do limit the extent of bending during the gravitropic response. ROS production stiffens cell walls, enabling roots to penetrate the soil more effectively while maintaining a balance between tissue flexibility and rigidity.
The present study was carried out in the following CNRS laboratory:
- Matière et Systèmes Complexes (MSC, CNRS/Université Paris Cité)
References :
Calcium-triggered apoplastic ROS bursts balance gravity and mechanical signals for soil navigation. Ivan Kulich, Dmitrii Vladimirtsev, Marek Randuch, Shiqiang Gao, Matteo Citterico, Kai R. Konrad, Georg Nagel, Michael Wrzaczek, Léa Cascaro, Pauline Vinet, Pauline Durand-Smet, Atef Asnacios, Lokesh Verma, Bipin K. Pandey, Malcolm J. Bennett, Jiří Friml, Science 392,296-300. Published on 16 april 2026.
DOI: 10.1126/science.adu8197
Open access: bioRxiv
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Communication CNRS Physique