Researchers have discovered a gene that helps roots grow through compacted soil.

Soil compaction is becoming an increasingly serious problem worldwide. Heavy agricultural machinery compresses the soil to such an extent that it is difficult for crops to grow, and in many regions, the problem is exacerbated by droughts linked to climate change. However, plants can help solve this problem—with a little assistance, writes SeedWorld. As noted, plants respond to compacted soil by thickening their roots, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear, except for the involvement of the hormone ethylene. Researchers have discovered how this mechanism works. "Since we now understand how plants 'adjust' their roots when they encounter compacted soil, we can adjust them to do so more effectively," says Staffan Persson, a professor at the University of Copenhagen and the senior author of the study. Researchers found that when the soil is compacted and ethylene accumulates around the root, this hormone activates a gene called OsARF1. This gene reduces the production of ...