Association of Barley Root Elongation with ABA-Dependent Transport of Cytokinins from Roots and Shoots under Supra-Optimal Concentrations of Nitrates and Phosphates

Changes in root elongation are important for the acquisition of mineral nutrients by plants. Plant hormones, cytokinins, and abscisic acid (ABA) and their interaction are important for the control of root elongation under changes in the availability of ions. However, their role in growth responses to supra-optimal concentrations of nitrates and phosphates has not been sufficiently studied and was addressed in the present research. Effects of supra-optimal concentrations of these ions on root elongation and distribution of cytokinins between roots and shoots were studied in ABA-deficient barley mutant Az34 and its parental variety, Steptoe. Cytokinin concentration in the cells of the growing root tips was analyzed with the help of an immunohistochemical technique. Increased concentrations of nitrates and phosphates led to the accumulation of ABA and cytokinins in the root tips, accompanied by a decline in shoot cytokinin content and inhibition of root elongation in Steptoe. Neither of the effects were detected in Az34, suggesting the importance of the ability of plants to accumulate ABA for the control of these responses. Since cytokinins are known to inhibit root elongation, the effect of supra-optimal concentration of nitrates and phosphates on root growth is likely to be due to the accumulation of cytokinins brought about by ABA-induced inhibition of cytokinin transport from roots to shoots.

PARTICIPATION OF ENT3 TRANSPORTER IN CYTOKININ DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THE ROOT AND THE SHOOT AND IN REGULATION OF GROWTH RESPONSE OF ARABIDOPSIS PLANTS TO INCREASED LEVEL OF MINERAL NUTRITION

The nitrogenous base riboside transporter ENT3 is known for its ability to transport ribosylated cytokinins across the membrane. However, its role in the distribution of cytokinins between plant organs has not yet been studied. For this purpose, we compared the content and distribution of either endogenous cytokinins or the exogenous trans-zeatin riboside introduced into the nutrient solution in mutant ent3-1 plants and the parent genotype Columbia. In the mutant, the accumulation of endogenous cytokinins in the roots was suppressed, and the ability to deliver exogenous trans-zeatin riboside to shoots increased. The roots of ent3-1 were about 15% longer and had a lower cytokinin concentration. A thirtyfold increase in the concentration of macronutrients led to inhibition of root elongation in the original Columbia line, but not in ent3-1 plants. This growth response occured in accordance with the content of cytokinins in the roots: in Columbia plants, cytokinins accumulated in these organs. The increase in the level of hormones in the roots of ent3-1 was to a lesser extent and was not significant. It was concluded that the ENT3 transporter is involved in the distribution of endogenous cytokinins between the apoplast and symplast, facilitating their uptake by root cells, thereby limiting the export of cytokinins to shoots through the xylem, and can play an important adaptive role in changing the level of mineral nutrition.