Natures wonders: how roots find water (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, November 18, 2022, 17:47 (734 days ago) @ David Turell

How they adapt is a definitive mechanism:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221117141204.htm

"Researchers have discovered how plant roots adapt their shape to maximise their uptake of water, pausing branching when they lose contact with water and only resuming once they reconnect with moisture, ensuring they can survive even in the driest conditions.

"Plant scientists from the University of Nottingham have discovered a novel water sensing mechanism that they have called 'Hydro-Signalling', which shows how hormone movement is linked with water fluxes. The findings have been published today in Science.

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"Roots play a critical role to reduce the impact of water stress on plants by adapting their shape (such as branching or growing deeper) to secure more water. Discovering how plant roots sense and adapt to water stress is vital importance for helping 'future proof' crops to enhance their climate resilience.

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"The study provides critical information about the key genes and processes controlling root branching in response to limited water availability, helping scientists design novel approaches to manipulate root architecture to enhance water capture and yield in crops.

"Dr. Poonam Mehra, postdoctoral fellow, from the School of Biosciences is one of the lead authors and explains: "When roots are in contact with moisture, a key hormone signal (auxin) moves inwards with water, triggering new root branches. However, when roots lose contact with moisture, they rely on internal water sources that mobilises another hormone signal (ABA) outwards, which acts to block the inwards movement of the branching signal. This simple, yet elegant mechanism enables plant roots to fine tune their shape to local conditions and optimize foraging.""

Comment: Once plants appeared they had to be in constant contact with water. Plants developed in ocean so that was not a problem. It is a giant jump to purch on dry land. Roots can't just spring into soil. Is it a Darwinian solution in itty-bitty steps or is design required.