Scientists have discovered a plant gene, known as “BUZZ,” that is responsible for promoting the growth of root hairs. Root hairs are small structures that assist plants in locating water and nutrients in the soil.
Lead by Karen Sanguinet, a researcher at Washington State University, the team identified this gene, which leads to the development of faster-growing and denser root systems. Additionally, the gene may play a role in how plants detect and utilize nitrates, a crucial source of nitrogen necessary for plant growth. This discovery could potentially aid plant scientists in finding sustainable methods for crop cultivation, as nitrates are commonly found in fertilizers that can cause environmental pollution through runoff.
“Nitrate runoff and nitrogen use efficiency are significant challenges in agriculture,” explained Sanguinet, who is an associate professor in WSU’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. “Understanding the genetic mechanisms that control nitrate uptake and signaling, as well as improving nitrate utilization in plants, would benefit agriculture, soil and water conservation, fertilizer application, and the overall nitrogen cycle.”
The study, published in the journal New Phytologist, revealed that the BUZZ gene regulates both the rate of root growth and the initiation of lateral roots in response to the concentration of nitrates in the surrounding soil.
Sanguinet stated, “The BUZZ gene is activated in response to nitrate, urea, and ammonia, likely to aid roots in locating nitrogen in the soil. Even when an ample supply of nitrate is available, the absence of this gene results in a foraging root phenotype.”
2023-09-19 08:00:04
Source from phys.org