Melatonin Modulates Tomato Root Morphology by Regulating Key Genes and Endogenous Hormones

• Published in: Plants (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 3; p. 383
• Main Authors: Tian, Qiang, Wang, Guangzheng, Dou, Jianhua, Niu, Yu, Li, Ruirui, An, Wangwang, Tang, Zhongqi, Yu, Jihua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Auxin; Cell cycle; Cell differentiation; Comparative analysis; Cytology; Differentiation (biology); Endocrine disruptors; Environmental aspects; Ethylene; Gene expression; Genes; Genetic aspects; Hair; hormone content; Hormones; Hydroponics; Investigations; Mediation; Melatonin; Morphology; Phosphates; Physiological aspects; Plant growth; Product development; Root hairs; root-related gene expression; Roots; tomato roots; Tomatoes; China; hormone content; root-related gene expression; melatonin; tomato roots
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants13030383

Melatonin plays a vital role in plant growth and development. In this study, we treated hydroponically grown tomato roots with various concentrations of exogenous melatonin (0, 10, 30, and 50 μmol·L ). We utilized root scanning and microscopy to examine alterations in root morphology and cell differentiation and elucidated the mechanism by which melatonin regulates these changes through the interplay with endogenous hormones and relevant genes. The results showed that for melatonin at concentrations ranging between 10 and 30 μmol·L , the development of lateral roots were significantly stimulated, the root hair growth was enhanced, and biomass accumulation and root activity were increased. Furthermore, we elucidated that melatonin acts as a mediator for the expression of genes, such as , , , , and , which are involved in the regulation of root morphology changes. Additionally, we observed that melatonin influences the levels of endogenous hormones, including ZT, GA3, IAA, ABA, and BR, which subsequently impact the root morphology development of tomato roots. In summary, this study shows that tomato root morphology can be promoted by the optimal concentration of exogenous melatonin (10-30 μmol·L ).