Thursday, 12 June 2025
Scientists have discovered a rapid molecular switch in plant roots that allows them to detect dry soils and redirect root growth to find water. This discovery could help in developing drought-resilient crops and addressing future food security challenges.
Roots typically branch out in response to moisture in the soil, foraging for water and nutrients. However, when the growing root loses contact with moist soil, it temporarily halts the formation of lateral branches. This smart response helps plants redirect their root growth toward areas with higher water availability.
In this new study, led by scientists at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with Durham University has identified a rapid signalling mechanism that enables plant roots to detect and respond to dry soil conditions. The study, published in Science, reveals that this adaptive response is triggered by a rapid increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in root tips. ROS act as stress signals, indicating to the roots that it has entered a dry zone.
The team were able to reveal how the ROS interacts with a specific protein and hormone in the plant that regulates growth and development, and how this can be disrupted with the protein serving as a molecular switch, integrating environmental stress signals with hormonal control to shape root architecture.
This is a fast, efficient mechanism that allows plants to sense water stress and react almost immediately, allowing them to conserve resources and optimise root growth in response to their environment.
This work shows how a single protein can act as a highly responsive sensor, linking the plant’s stress perception to growth decisions. It opens exciting possibilities for engineering crops that are better adapted to water-limited environments.
This breakthrough is not only a step forward in basic plant science, but also holds important implications for global food security As drought becomes more frequent and severe due to climate change, understanding how roots respond to water stress is vital for developing crops that can survive in harsher environments.
This landmark study was conducted in partnership with seven additional institutions across the UK and Europe, combining expertise in molecular biology, structural biology, and advanced imaging technologies.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Poonam Mehra on Poonam.Mehra@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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