Circadian clock in plant roots : implications for root morphology and nutrient uptake

The circadian clock is an autonomous timekeeping system that helps plants to track and respond to cyclic changes in the environment. For instance, root organs optimize the uptake of soil resources at specific times of the day. This ability to time nutrient acquisition helps plants sustain growth and ensure they have the necessary resources for different physiological functions. Synchronizing agricultural practices with these natural rhythms could lead to more efficient and sustainable farming. We recently illustrated the interplay between the circadian clock and root nitrate uptake (The Plant Journal 120, 1786–1797).

New F.R.S.-FNRS research project (2025-2028) : The aim of this project is to understand how the root and shoot circadian clocks communicate with one another, to coordinate rhythms at the whole plant level and ensuring timely physiological events. The focus is on the natural or mutagenized-induced variations of root clock properties, and their impact on root morphology and the transport of mineral elements in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana.