Sorghum root epigenetic landscape during limiting phosphorus conditions.

Gladman N, Hufnagel B, Regulski M, Liu Z, Wang X, Chougule K, Kochian L, Magalhães J, Ware D

Published: 24 May 2022 in Plant direct
Keywords: DNA methylation, RNA seq, chromatin modification, histone marks, histone methylation, phosphorus efficiency, phosphorus responsive genes, root system architecture; root system remodeling; phosphorous deficiency
Pubmed ID: 35600998
DOI: 10.1002/pld3.393

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).

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) grant no grant ID listed
Embrapa Macroprogram - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) no grant ID listed
National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) no grant ID listed
United States Department of Agriculture USDA-ARS 8062-21000-041-00D
University of Saskatchewan - Global institute for Food Security no grant ID listed