Divining Roots: uncovering how SUMO-mediated responses control developmental plasticity

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Food security represents a major global issue. Significant improvements in crop yields are urgently required to meet the increase in world population by 2050. The ability of a crop to efficiently absorb water and nutrients from soil is dependent on its root system responding to the availability of these resources. For example, roots preferentially form branches when in contact with water employing a mechanism called hydropatterning. Understanding the regulation of root branching is of vital agronomic importance.This research project will investigate how hydropatterning works to position new root branches in response to water availability. Our research project attempts to 'fill in the gaps' between roots sensing water availability and then branching. To help our studies, we have already identified plant signals and genes such as auxin and ARF7 that are important for this process. Several promising processes will also be characterised including one that modifies ARF7 that switches on root branching. The knowledge gained from this study will provide new information about the key genes and processes controlling root branching in response to water availability, helping scientists design novel approaches to manipulate root architecture to enhance resource capture and yield in crops.