A multiscale growth atlas of Arabidopsis: linking cell dynamics to organ development

Plant development depends on coordinated growth at cellular and organ scales, yet comparative analyses are hindered by inconsistent reporting of growth across studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana growth dynamics, integrating data from 176 studies to create the first multiscale atlas of plant growth. We developed a unified mathematical framework to harmonise growth data from diverse organs (shoot apical meristem, root, hypocotyl, and leaf), methodologies, and experimental setups, allowing the conversion and direct comparison of expansion rates at cellular and organ levels. Analyses revealed both organ-specific and general growth strategies linked to size control. In the meristem, a conserved offset in cell expansion between central and peripheral zones was observed. Root elongation was driven mainly by cell expansion and differentiation in the elongation zone, rather than meristem activity. Hypocotyl and leaf growth showed unexpected parallels: early exponential elongation resembled primary morphogenesis, while later linear growth matched secondary morphogenesis. Comparing dark- vs light-grown hypocotyls and juvenile vs transition leaves showed that organ size was modulated by a trade-off between growth rate and duration of the scaling phase. Cellular-scale growth during early development was shown to influence final organ size, underscoring the need for early-stage measurements. This growth atlas provides benchmark values and a reference framework for interpreting mutant phenotypes, guiding experimental design, and advancing our understanding of growth regulation across plant organs.