Uncovering the Secret World of Plant Roots through Chemical Cartography.

Researchers have used advanced imaging technology to develop a chemical "roadmap" of the distribution of critical small molecules along maize plant stem cells and their impact on the plant's development. The study's insights could provide key insights into how these essential root chemicals affect plant growth, which could be useful in conservation and making plants more sustainable, especially in agriculture. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Hellman Foundation, the William E. McElroy Charitable Foundation, the Revelle Provost Summer Research Scholarship, and the Genentech Scholars Program.