Treating seedlings with ethylene in the dark, followed by light, enhances growth and stress resistance in plants, presenting a significant advancement in agricultural practices.
Exposing seedlings to ethylene in darkness can significantly enhance their size and vigor, a discovery with far-reaching implications for agriculture. For thousands of years, farmers have endeavored to boost crop yields, a mission that remains critical as the global population grows. However, increased yields often lead to decreased stress tolerance in plants.
Study Insights and Methodology
Brad Binder and his team sought to increase plant yield without compromising resilience by employing ethylene, a gaseous plant growth hormone. Prior studies showed that seedlings grown in darkness and treated with ethylene exhibited stunted growth and a distinct hooked shape. However, the team discovered that seedlings treated with ethylene in the dark for several days and then exposed to light (while ceasing ethylene treatment) performed better than control groups. These seedlings demonstrated enhanced root growth, denser lateral roots, and increased fresh weight of aerial tissues. This phenomenon was initially observed in Arabidopsis thaliana, a mustard relative used as a model plant, and later in tomatoes, cucumbers, and wheat.
Additional Findings and Conclusions
Adding sugars to the treatment given in the dark amplified the effect, suggesting that the ethylene treatment helps the plant ramp up its metabolism in preparation for emergence from the soil into the sunlight. A metabolomics analysis and DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad216