Plants upcycle gene functions to suit their roots

Abstract

The plant root is a crucial organ for adaptation to dynamic environments, but to date the degree of functional conservation of root developmental programs has remained unknown. A recent report by Kajala et al. sheds light on the cross-species conservation and repurposing of root gene functions in a manner pertinent to attempts to ensure future yield stability.

Keywords: body plan; pan-species; tomato root; transcriptomics; translatomics.