Root apices are established early during embryogenesis, and the root apical meristem (RAM), once formed in primary roots, maintains a proliferative state to generate radial and longitudinal tissues for the growing roots throughout the whole life of vascular plants ( Ubeda-Tomas and Bennett, 2010). Plant root growth is determined by cell elongation of the elongation zone and continuous production of cells of the apical meristem ( Dinneny and Benfey, 2008). Lateral roots, osmotic stress, PEG 8000, premature differentiation, root tip, wheat ( Triticum aestivum). This work has uncovered a key mechanism for controlling the plastic development of the root system by which plants are capable of survival, growth, or reproduction under water stress. It is shown that the osmotic stress-induced premature differentiation caused growth cessation of primary roots allowing outgrowth of lateral roots. It is demonstrated that RAM premature differentiation is a conserved adaptive mechanism that is widely adopted by various plants to cope with osmotic stress simulated by PEG 8000, and the occurrence of RAM premature differentiation is directly related to stress tolerance of plants. Here, it is shown that polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated mild and moderate osmotic stress induced premature differentiation of the root apical meristem (RAM). In the past decades, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant protection, and stomatal movement have been extensively studied, but much less attention has been paid to the study of root system reprogramming to maximize water absorption and survival under water stress. Water stress is one of the major environmental stresses causing growth retardation and yield loss of plants.

Death Blade by Peg Case