Root angle is controlled by EGT1 in cereal crops employing an antigravitropic mechanism
Abstract
The growth angle roots adopt are critical for capturing soil resources, such as nutrients and water. Despite its agronomic importance, few regulatory genes have been identified in crops. Here we identify the root angle regulatory gene ENHANCED GRAVITROPISM 1 (EGT1) in barley. Strikingly, mutants lacking EGT1 exhibit a steeper angle in every root class. EGT1 appears to function as a component of an antigravitropic offset mechanism that regulates tissue stiffness, which impacts final root growth angle. EGT1 is a hot spot for selection as natural allelic variation within a conserved Tubby domain that is linked with steeper root angle. Analogous EGT1-dependent regulation of root angle in wheat demonstrates broad significance of EGT1 for trait improvement in cereal crops.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- August 2022
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.2201350119
- Bibcode:
- 2022PNAS..11901350F