Mechanical regulation in inflorescence stem development

Abstract

The stem of vascular plants serves as foundational support for aboveground growth. Tissue response to mechanical forces is crucial for directing plant morphogenesis and, thus, stem growth and shape. This process plays a pivotal role in expanding the size of aboveground organs while also dictating the spatial arrangement of leaves and flowers. However, external forces can sometimes result in tissue or organ breakage. Hence, the stem must integrate forces beyond a certain threshold to control its development. In this minireview, I will focus on recent findings on Arabidopsis thaliana lines displaying deep cracks in their inflorescence stems and their research backbones are summarized. These recent studies reveal a more complex picture than previously considered regarding the relative contributions of vascular and epidermal tissues to stem mechanics and growth.