Plasticity of Root System Architecture and Whole Transcriptome Responses Underlying Nitrogen Deficiency Tolerance Conferred by a Wild Emmer Wheat QTL.

ABSTRACT: Our aim was to elucidate mechanisms underlying nitrogen (N)-deficiency tolerance in bread wheat (cultivar Ruta), conferred by a wild emmer wheat QTL (WEW; IL99). We hypothesised that the tolerance in IL99 is driven by enhanced N-uptake through modification of root system architecture (RSA) underscored by transcriptome modifications. Severe N-deficiency (0.1 N for 26 days) triggered significantly higher plasticity in IL99 compared to Ruta by modifying 16 RSA traits; nine of which were IL99-specific. The change in root growth in IL99 was collectively characterised by a transition in root orientation from shallow to steep, increased root number and length, and denser networks, enabling nutrient acquisition from a larger volume and deeper soil layers. Gene ontology and KEGG-enrichment analyses

SUBMITTER: Govta N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11893928 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature