biostudies-literatureHuang GEuropean Molecular Biology OrganizationUKRI | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaRoyal SocietyCzech Science FoundationBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Councile2201072119https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9335218biostudies-literatureUnknown119(30)Soil compaction represents a major agronomic challenge, inhibiting root elongation and impacting crop yields. Roots use ethylene to sense soil compaction as the restricted air space causes this gaseous signal to accumulate around root tips. Ethylene inhibits root elongation and promotes radial expansion in compacted soil, but its mechanistic basis remains unclear. Here, we report that ethylene promotes abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and cortical cell radial expansion. Rice mutants of ABA biosynthetic genes had attenuated cortical cell radial expansion in compacted soil, leading to better penetration. Soil compaction-induced ethylene also up-regulates the auxin biosynthesis gene <i>OsYUC8</i>. Mutants lacking OsYUC8 are better able to penetrate compacted soil. The auxin influx transporterProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaEthylene inhibits rice root elongation in compacted soil via ABA- and auxin-mediated mechanisms.PMC933521832130006CHG\R1\170040BB/W008874/1BB/T001437/1BB/S011102/1218925948Y3210165BB/V018124/1ALTF 1140-2019BB/V00557X/1294729Sharp REZhang DPandey BKKarady MLiang WZhang JHartman SMooney SJHuang GMehra PKilic ASturrock CJHuang RDodd ICBennett MJQin HSchneider HMZhu WBhosale RSong XfalseEthylene inhibits rice root elongation in compacted soil via ABA- and auxin-mediated mechanisms.Soil compaction represents a major agronomic challenge, inhibiting root elongation and impacting crop yields. Roots use ethylene to sense soil compaction as the restricted air space causes this gaseous signal to accumulate around root tips. Ethylene inhibits root elongation and promotes radial expansion in compacted soil, but its mechanistic basis remains unclear. Here, we report that ethylene promotes abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and cortical cell radial expansion. Rice mutants of ABA biosynthetic genes had attenuated cortical cell radial expansion in compacted soil, leading to better penetration. Soil compaction-induced ethylene also up-regulates the auxin biosynthesis gene <i>OsYUC8</i>. Mutants lacking OsYUC8 are better able to penetrate compacted soil. The auxin influx transporter2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jul2025-04-18T15:35:58.549Z2025-04-07T02:17:45.337ZS-EPMC93352183585842410.1073/pnas.2201072119