By Brian Consiglio
What’s the key to growing resilient crops that can survive tough conditions? Researchers at the University of Missouri are getting to the root of it — literally.
Researchers in the Walter Gassmann lab at Mizzou’s Bond Life Sciences Center have discovered how a specific protein known as SRFR1 plays a critical role in how deeply plant roots grow underground. Even more promising, they unlocked a way to manipulate this protein to encourage longer root growth, a trait that can potentially help plants better withstand drought.
This breakthrough could pave the way for genetically engineered seeds that produce more resilient crops.
“Depending on the environment, plants sometimes need a longer or shorter root, and we discovered that this protein helps regulate that outcome,” Gassmann, director of the Bond Life Sciences Center and a professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, said. “In times of drought, plants need longer roots to reach deeper into the soil in search of water or nutrients. Now that we have learned what this protein does, we can manipulate it to help plants thrive in various environments.”
Into the weeds
In the new study, Gassmann and senior scientist Jianbin Su found the SRFR1 protein forms tiny, gel-like structures in a specific part of the outer root. These loose structures, called condensates, form naturally to help the root grow.
The researchers set out to genetically alter the protein to “super-charge” this condensation process, resulting in plants with longer roots.
Source : missouri.edu