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Root Hydraulic and Metabolomic Recovery Outpaces Stomatal Reopening in Rewatered Quinoa
Flavia Dorochesi1, Cesar Barrientos-Sanhueza1, Marcos Roldán-Lazo1
1Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas y de los Alimentos, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340025, Chile.
Quinoa drought recovery is controlled by the roots, which regain function before shoots reopen. This study reveals the root system acts as a pacemaker for drought resilience in quinoa plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Drought Stress Response
- Root Biology
Background:
- Quinoa drought research has overlooked root responses, despite roots sensing soil drying first.
- Root recovery dynamics after drought are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of quinoa roots in drought recovery.
- Characterize root hydraulic and metabolomic recovery compared to stomatal reopening.
Main Methods:
- Drought simulation on quinoa ecotype AZ1.
- Measurement of stomatal conductance, transpiration, and water potential.
- Analysis of root hydraulic conductance, anatomy, and polar metabolome.
Main Results:
- Roots became the primary hydraulic bottleneck during drought.
- Root hydraulic and metabolomic functions recovered significantly within 24 hours of rewatering.
- Stomatal conductance remained low despite root recovery, suggesting root-mediated regulation.
Conclusions:
- Quinoa drought recovery is governed by the root system.
- Root recovery involves energy-dependent transport and TCA cycle normalization, not just sugar pools.
- Belowground nitrogen-rich solutes may signal to restrain stomatal reopening, positioning the root as a drought recovery pacemaker.
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