Drought-Induced SlCLE10 Coordinates Ethylene Biosynthesis and Root Hair Development to Confer Osmotic Stress Tolerance in Tomato

The study identifies the SlCLE10 peptide as a crucial factor in enhancing drought tolerance in tomato plants by promoting root hair elongation through ethylene signaling. Under osmotic stress, SlCLE10 expression is induced, leading to the activation of SlMAPK6, which phosphorylates SlACS2, increasing ethylene production and root hair growth. Overexpression of SlCLE10 results in longer root hairs and improved stress resilience, while knockout mutants show shorter root hairs. The application of synthetic SlCLE10 peptide also promotes root hair growth in various dicot species, suggesting its potential for improving crop drought resistance. The research highlights the role of SlCLE10 in coordinating ethylene biosynthesis and root hair development, offering a strategy for enhancing plant resilience to environmental stress.