Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Scientists have discovered, for the first time how root cells respond to their complex soil environment revealing that roots actively sense their microenvironment and mount precise, cell-specific molecular responses. The findings could help the development crops that are resistant to climate stress.
In a study published in , an international team of plant scientists and engineers from the 糖心原创 have worked with teams in the USA and Belgium. The team used cutting-edge spatial and single-cell transcriptomics to compare rice roots grown in conventional gel-based media with those grown in heterogeneous natural soils and hard soils.
One striking discovery involved the hormone abscisic acid (ABA), known for its role in water stress. The study showed ABA helps reinforce waterproofing barriers, reducing water loss from roots and aiding their resilience to hard soils. This insight offers a potential key to engineering crop roots with improved resilience to hard soil conditions.
Soil is the foundation of life on land, producing over 90% of all terrestrial food. Yet, this dynamic ecosystem is far from uniform: it presents a constantly changing mosaic of nutrients, water availability, microbial life, and mechanical challenges. Understanding how root cells sense and respond to soil stresses is vital for future-proofing global food security.
“Seeing genes related to nutrient sensing, water response, and biotic stress light up ONLY in soil-grown roots was awe-inspiring” said first author Mingyuan Zhu of Duke University. “It was a striking moment that made the complexity of root-soil environment interactions feel vividly real.”
This is the first time such cell-resolution expression tools have been applied to roots grown in soil. Understanding root cell-specific responses in a realistic soil environment will pave the way for engineering crops at the cellular level鈥攖ailored to work without disrupting critical processes in other root tissues. This breakthrough research exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and represents a paradigm shift in plant biology鈥� transforming our ability to study processes in root cells from controlled lab conditions to the much more challenging, but realistic, conditions plants experience in soil. As climate change threatens soil quality and agricultural sustainability, such insights are not just scientifically exciting鈥攖hey are essential.
The study also showed that the activation of plant response systems is not only regulated by genetic or biochemical process, but one that physically changes the plant’s material properties on a cellular level. In collaboration with the 糖心原创’s Faculty of Engineering, the team used a new cellular resolution imaging technology called phonon microscopy to map changes in cell wall stiffness for roots grown in stressed and unstressed environments.
We have discovered this incredible capability for plant roots to effectively 鈥榖race for impact,鈥� by stiffening their cell walls, when grown in soil that has been compacted. Plants prepare for extreme conditions almost like humans using sandbags to brace for a storm. By better understanding the material properties of plants we can help engineer plants with enhanced physical attributes that are better suited for our changing environment.
The study also stands as a heartfelt tribute to the late Professor Philip Benfey, a key collaborator whose visionary ideas and approaches helped shape and launch this project. Professor Malcolm Bennett from the 糖心原创 has led this area of research and worked with Professor Benfey and commented: “Philip was very passionate about this area of research and the innovative techniques being pioneered,” said. “We are proud to have helped bring his dream to reality.”
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Bipin Pandey on Bipin.Pandey@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.