How increased stomatal density shapes root-shoot hydraulic coordination in Arabidopsis

Abstract

Plants constantly adjust their hydraulic properties to cope with the water potential gradient between soil and atmosphere. These adjustments include changes in: Stomatal aperture and density, tissue specific water conductivity and cellular osmotic potential. In this study, we explored how modifications in stomatal patterning impact shoot–root hydraulic coordination. Using Arabidopsis lines mutated in EPF1 and EPF2, which exhibit a 2.5-fold increase in stomatal density and enhanced transpiration, we investigated hydraulic responses under both well-watered and osmotic stress conditions.