Mechanistic basis and field-level implications of hypergravity-induced root growth enhancement in wheat

Our previous work demonstrated that hypergravity can induce beneficial phenotypes – most notably enhanced root growth – yet the anatomical and molecular basis of this response has remained unclear. In the present study, root anatomical studies and related parameters revealed that hypergravity-induced growth enhancement is driven by increased cell proliferation coupled with upregulation of transcripts associated with cell division and cell wall biosynthesis. Enhanced root growth and improved abiotic stress resilience observed in our laboratory studies suggest translational potential for agriculture. However, validation across genotypes and field environments is essential to establish their agronomic value. Here, we evaluated the effects of hypergravity treatment on phenotypic and yield-related traits in wheat genotypes – UAS 347, UAS 375, and UAS 446 – under greenhouse and field conditions. Hypergravity consistently enhanced seedling performance in the greenhouse and persisted in the field. Field evaluations across two winter cropping seasons further demonstrated that hypergravity significantly increases key agronomic traits. Specifically, grain yield was increased in UAS 347 and UAS 446, whereas no change was observed in UAS 375. Overall, this study confirms hypergravity’s genotype-independent enhancement of root growth, identifies key cellular and molecular drivers of this response, and provides field-level evidence to improve yield in wheat.