Root oxygen dynamics and its impact on development and physiology

Roots play an essential role in plant growth by absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. As roots penetrate deeper into the soil, they encounter naturally decreasing oxygen levels, which can be exacerbated by soil structure and water content. With the increasing frequency and severity of floods due to climate change, these oxygen limitations (hypoxia) pose a growing threat to global food security because roots require oxygen for respiration, which is vital for efficient energy production. In addition to external factors, my previous research showed that internal factors can create hypoxic niches within root meristems, even in oxygen-rich environments. This pioneering study has begun to uncover a new area of research, highlighting the dynamics of root oxygenation and the consequences of inadequate oxygen supply on root architecture.BreathingUnderground now sets an ambitious goal: to discover how roots breathe beneath the surface and the impact this has on their development and physiology. We will explore: 1) oxygen distribution in root tissues; 2) the impact of chronic hypoxia on root development; and 3) the ability of roots to sense and grow towards oxygen-rich zones. This holistic approach aims to revolutionise the way oxygen provision feeds into root architecture, using advanced microsensors, orthogonal biosensors, X-ray tomography, and spatial transcriptomics. This project aims to create a high-resolution 3D map of root oxygen distribution by precisely measuring root zone oxygenation in natural settings. The project will reveal how oxygen acts as a diffusible signal to monitor root barrier integrity, regulate vascular development. Finally, it will uncover the mechanisms by which roots perceive and respond to fluctuations in oxygen. This fundamental knowledge can be applied to improve plant resilience and/or to modify agricultural practices, and thus to increase crop yields in response to oxygen-limited environments and the challenges posed by climate change.