Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42090491›Full record

ArticleScience advances2026

Hooked hairs: A cellular key adaptation aiding seedling survival in nutrient-limited and drought conditions.

Sergio Alan Cervantes-Pérez, Ankita Roy, Addison Bralick, Peter Pietrzyk, Sandra Thibivilliers, Marc Libault, Alexander Bucksch

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Science advances, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sergio Alan Cervantes-PérezSchool of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8654-8784
Ankita RoyDepartment of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8040-9786
Addison BralickDepartment of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-9841-963X
Peter PietrzykDepartment of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6794-8133
Sandra ThibivilliersDivision of Plant Science and Technology, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.ORCID 0009-0004-6097-7689
Marc LibaultDivision of Plant Science and Technology, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7419-9129
Alexander BuckschSchool of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1071-5355

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Understanding plant survival mechanisms in degraded, drought-affected, and nutrient-limited soils can help mitigate the effects of climate change on crop production. Roots extend deep into soil through straight, tubular root hairs that facilitate resource uptake. In this study, we found a unicellular structure, termed the "hooked hair," characterized by a pointed hook morphology that supports seedling establishment before root hair emergence. We observed a phenotypic response of hooked hairs to phosphorus and nitrogen limitations. Coexpression analysis identified gene signatures associated with nutrient transport and suberin biosynthesis in hooked hairs. These biological functions are likely critical for seedling establishment, nutrient acquisition, and protection against biotic stress. Therefore, the hooked hair offers potential for the development climate-resilient seedlings, reducing reliance on unsustainable fertilizers and securing agricultural productivity.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PhysiologicalArabidopsisDroughtsNutrientsSeedlingsDrought ResistanceGene Expression Regulation, PlantLipidsNitrogenPhosphorusPlant RootsStress, PhysiologicalLipidsNitrogenPhosphorussuberin

Identifiers

PMID42090491
PMCPMC13148311

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.