β-Cyclocitral is a conserved root growth regulator

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 May 21;116(21):10563-10567. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1821445116. Epub 2019 May 8.

Abstract

Natural compounds capable of increasing root depth and branching are desirable tools for enhancing stress tolerance in crops. We devised a sensitized screen to identify natural metabolites capable of regulating root traits in Arabidopsis β-Cyclocitral, an endogenous root compound, was found to promote cell divisions in root meristems and stimulate lateral root branching. β-Cyclocitral rescued meristematic cell divisions in ccd1ccd4 biosynthesis mutants, and β-cyclocitral-driven root growth was found to be independent of auxin, brassinosteroid, and reactive oxygen species signaling pathways. β-Cyclocitral had a conserved effect on root growth in tomato and rice and generated significantly more compact crown root systems in rice. Moreover, β-cyclocitral treatment enhanced plant vigor in rice plants exposed to salt-contaminated soil. These results indicate that β-cyclocitral is a broadly effective root growth promoter in both monocots and eudicots and could be a valuable tool to enhance crop vigor under environmental stress.

Keywords: abiotic stress; carotenoid; lateral root emergence; meristem; plant hormone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / pharmacology*
  • Arabidopsis
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Plant Growth Regulators / pharmacology*
  • Plant Roots / drug effects*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development*

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Diterpenes
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • beta-cyclocitral