Early root growth is critical for plant establishment and survival. We have identified a molecular pathway required for helical root tip movement known as circumnutation. Here, we report a multiscale investigation of the regulation and function of this phenomenon. We identify key cell signaling events comprising interaction of the ethylene, cytokinin, and auxin hormone signaling pathways. We identify the gene Oryza sativa histidine kinase-1 (HK1) as well as the auxin influx carrier gene OsAUX1 as essential regulators of this process in rice. Robophysical modeling and growth challenge experiments indicate circumnutation is critical for seedling establishment in rocky soil, consistent with the long-standing hypothesis that root circumnutation facilitates growth past obstacles. Thus, the integration of robotics, physics, and biology has elucidated the functional importance of root circumnutation and uncovered the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation.

早期的根生长对于植物的建立和生存至关重要。我们已经确定了螺旋根尖运动所需的分子途径，称为环化。在这里，我们报告这种现象的调节和功能的多尺度调查。我们确定关键的细胞信号事件，包括乙烯，细胞分裂素和生长素激素信号通路的相互作用。我们确定基因水稻稻组氨酸激酶-1（HK1）以及生长素流入载体基因OsAUX1作为大米中该过程的重要调节剂。机器人物理模型和生长挑战实验表明，环切对于在多岩石的土壤中建立种子至关重要，这与长期以来的假设一致，即根环切促进了障碍物的生长。因此，机器人技术，物理技术和生物学的结合阐明了根部环化的功能重要性，并揭示了其调控的分子机制。