近年来的研究结果表明活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）对植物根系的生长发育起到非常重要的作用。但是关于ROS参与调控根生长发育的关键下游应答因子及其分子调控机制，目前知之甚少。本项目以前期筛选到的快速响应H2O2的两个拟南芥ERF转录因子（ERFa、ERFb）的突变体和过表达株系为材料，结合分子生物学、遗传学、转录组测序等方法，寻找ERFa和ERFb的下游关键调控因子，阐明ERFa和ERFb对根伸长及根尖干细胞维持的分子调控机制。本项目预期结果可以深入的阐释ROS对植物根系发育的分子机理，为农作物的产量和品质调控以及种质创新提供重要的科学理论依据。

ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) have been recently identified as a second messenger controlling plant root growth. However, the molecular mechanisms and the nature of downstream components of ROS signaling pathway in root development remain mysteries. Recently, we identified two ERF transcription factors, ERFa and ERFb, which were obviously up-regulated after H2O2 treatment. In this project, we use genetic and biochemical methods to identify the direct substrates of ERFa and ERFb using erfa and erfb mutants and their overexpression lines. This project will provides insight into a significant mechanism underlying the role of ERFa and ERFb in controlling root stem cell in Arabidopsis, and also uncovers the roles of ROS in maintaining the balance between cellular proliferation and differentiation in root apical. This project eventually proved important theoretical basis and research methods to reveal the germplasm innovation and yield and quality control mechanism in crops.