Identification and characterization of low-sulfur-inducible genes and pathways in roots of upland and lowland rice grown under hydroponic and soil conditions.

Low-sulfur conditions induce a conserved set of genes in rice roots, with SULTR1;1 promoting root growth under sulfur limitation in both upland and lowland varieties.

• Why it matters: Understanding sulfur response mechanisms in rice is crucial as sulfur deficiency increasingly affects crop yields worldwide, yet these pathways are not fully characterized in rice, especially in upland types.
• What they did: Researchers conducted genome and transcriptome analyses on upland rice DJ123 and lowland Nipponbare under hydroponic and soil conditions, identifying shared sulfur-responsive genes and key regulatory elements, including EIL4.
• The result: The study revealed that SULTR1;1 enhances root elongation during sulfur deficiency, offering insights into molecular adaptation strategies and potential targets for improving rice resilience in sulfur-limited environments.