Sorghum root epigenetic landscape during limiting phosphorus conditions

Abstract

Efficient acquisition and use of available phosphorus from the soil is crucial for plant growth, development, and yield. With an ever‐increasing acreage of croplands with suboptimal available soil phosphorus, genetic improvement of sorghum germplasm for enhanced phosphorus acquisition from soil is crucial to increasing agricultural output and reducing inputs, while confronted with a growing world population and uncertain climate. Sorghum bicolor is a globally important commodity for food, fodder, and forage. Known for robust tolerance to heat, drought, and other abiotic stresses, its capacity for optimal phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) is still being investigated for optimized root system architectures (RSA). Whilst a few RSA‐influencing genes have been identified in sorghum and other grasses, the epigenetic impact on expression and tissue‐specific activation of candidate PUE genes remains elusive. Here, we present transcriptomic, epigenetic, and regulatory network profiling of RSA modulation in the BTx623 sorghum background in response to limiting phosphorus (LP) conditions. We show that during LP, sorghum RSA is remodeled to increase root length and surface area, likely enhancing its ability to acquire P. Global DNA 5‐methylcytosine and H3K4 and H3K27 trimethylation levels decrease in response to LP, while H3K4me3 peaks and DNA hypomethylated regions contain recognition motifs of numerous developmental and nutrient responsive transcription factors that display disparate expression patterns between different root tissues (primary root apex, elongation zone, and lateral root apex).

Dynamic transcriptome analysis unravels key regulatory genes of maize root growth and development in response to potassium deficiency

“…The seeds were then germinated in moistened filter paper. Four days after germination, seedlings with similar growth vigor were transferred to 100 L polypropylene tubs and grown hydroponically using a specially designed and constructed plant growth pouch system, which holds the seedling and root system on the surface of filter paper, as described by Gladman et al ( 2022 ). The full strength nutrient solution contains: 1 mM Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ·4H 2 O, 1 mM NH 4 NO 3 , 1 mM KCl, 0.85 mM MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O, 0.25 mM NH 4 H 2 PO 4 , 77 μM Fe-EDTA, 25 μM H 3 BO 3 , 0.8 μM Na 2 MoO 4 ·2H 2 O, 0.6 μM CuSO 4 ·5H 2 O, 9 μM MnCl 2 ·4H 2 O, 2 μM ZnSO 4 ·7H 2 O.…”

Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on the Nutritional Properties and Food Security of Various Cereal Grains

“…Buckwheat, classified as a legume, can capture atmospheric nitrogen via the action of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, resulting in the enhancement of soil fertility with this vital nutrient [37]. The wide fibrous root structure of S. bicolor, capable of growing to great depths, improves soil aggregation and water penetration, facilitating nutrient absorption and enhancing soil fertility [50,51]. P. millet's shallow root system is advantageous for nutrient absorption and soil structure enhancement, particularly in less fertile soils [52,53].…”

Phosphorus deficiency tolerance in sorghum

“…Soybean plants grown under low-P condition showed a reduction in the growth of the primary root with the induction of lateral roots and root hairs (Zhu et al, 2020). Several works have revealed the response of plants to low P by altering root morphology and their root properties (Hiradate et al, 2007;Niu et al, 2013;Hufnagel et al, 2014;Muller et al, 2015;Huang et al, 2019;Wu et al, 2019;Barros et al, 2020;Tang et al, 2020;Gladman et al, 2022;Chen et al, 2022;Mo et al, 2022).…”

“…In contrast, root length of sensitive inbred lines and the sensitive parent B-69 was greatly inhibited by low P conditions, as well as root volume and the number of proteoid roots (Table 3). Gladman et al (2022) showed that during limiting P condition, sorghum RSA (root architecture structure) was renovated to increase root length and surface area, likely enhancing its ability to acquire P. Hubnagel et al ( 2014) mentioned that the rice protein kinase, PHOSPHORUS-STARVATION TOLERANCE1 (OsPSTOL1) has shown to enhance P acquisition and grain yield in rice under P deficiency. Their study indicated that multiple SbPSTOL1 genes have a more general role in the root system, not only enhancing root morphology traits but also changing root architecture, which leads to grain yield gain under low-P availability in the soil.…”

“…Sorghum is known to have a high tolerance to heat, drought, and other abiotic stresses (Gladman et al, 2022), which have a large genetic variation for grain yield under low-P conditions (Leiser et al, 2015). Several inbreed lines have been developed from parent varieties such as Numbu (tolerant), ZH-30-29-07 (tolerant), B-69 (sensitive), and B-75 (sensitive) (Wirnas et al, 2018).…”