Conference MendelNet 2015      11 and 12 November, 2015
Contributions

List of Contributions Conference MendelNet 2015

Plant Biology

  • DETECTION OF PLANT STRESS BY CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE
    ABUSHAMSIYA KIFAH, PAVLU JAROSLAV
    view abstract fulltext Abushamsiya.kifah@mendelu.cz

    Abstract: Plant growth and development are dynamic processes which are continuously changed by environmental conditions. Agricultural crops are subjected to abiotic stresses, such as increasing temperature, water, salinity, heavy metals and ozone. Nowadays, modern non-invasive methods allow rapidly monitor and evaluate plant stress responses. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging has become one of the most powerful and popular tools to track changes in the photosynthetic capacities of plants in response to abiotic and biotic factors. In contrast to traditional methods, chlorophyll fluorescence is less laborious, less time consuming and thereby highly useful for large scale screening experiments. Here, we show its application in the evaluation of Arabidopsis thaliana plants in response to various abiotic stressors.


     
  • REDUCE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DROUGHT BY USING PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS IN WINTER WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)
    BARANYIOVA IRENA, KLEM KAREL
    view abstract irenka2308@azet.sk

    Abstract: Growth regulators have previously been documented to increase yield and improve protein content of plants. This paper documents the effects of plant growth regulators and fungicide with regulatory effect on growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) when exposed to drought stress.  The drought stress was simulate by using experimental rain-out shelters for 4 weeks. Drought decreases the growth of plants, influences various physiological and biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, metabolism of nutrients. The field trials were carried out in a field experimental station in Žabčice (49°00'41.3"N) on winter wheat variety Matylda in 2014/2015. The experimental station is located in a warm area with prevailing continental climate (average annual rainfall 482 mm and temperature 9.3°C). The applications consisted of trinexapac-ethyl, chlormequat, ethephon and azoxystrobin, were made at optimum wheat growth stage for individual regulators between BBCH 31 and BBCH 59. We found a partial elimination of negative effects of drought stress by application of growth regulators. Application of growth regulators increased the spike productivity and CO2 assimilation as well.


     
  • REACTION OF SELECTED TYPES OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR FOR WATER STRESS ON WINTER WHEAT
    BARANYIOVA IRENA, KLEM KAREL
    view abstract fulltext irena.baranyiova@mendelu.cz

    Abstract: The aim of this work was to clarify the impacts of water stress and describe the effects of stress on winter wheat. We observed the morphological and growth changes, as well as changes in selected physiological functions of plants. In this work we address the possible adaptive or defence mechanisms of plants to water scarcity. The main objective of my work was to monitor the impact of plant growth regulators on physiological parameters under drought stress. The experiment was conducted on a field experimental station in Žabčice on variety Matylda. This area (Žabčice) is located in a warm area with prevailing continental climate, with average annual rainfall of 482 mm and an average annual temperature of 9.3°C. Within this experiment following growth regulators and fungicide with growth regulation effect were used: Retacel extra R68 (chlormequat chloride 720 g.l-1), Moddus (trinexapac-ethyl 250 g.l-1), Cerone (ethephon 480 g.l-1), Amistar (strobilurin 250 g.l-1). Approximately 2 and 4 weeks since the beginning of drought stress were carried out physiological measurements of chlorophyll and flavonoid content. From our preliminary results it can be concluded that under drought stress the decrease of chlorophyll content in leaves was found. Growth regulators CCC and trinexapac mitigate the decline of chlorophyll content caused by drought in the upper leaves but rather increased the impact in older (lower) leaves. Fungicide azoxystrobin alleviates the decrease of chlorophyll caused by drought in all leaves. The results show that the positive effect of regulators reducing the impact of drought on the parameter FV/FM was seen in all growth regulator treatments with the most significant effect of the active ingredience trinexapac-ethyl.


     
  • ELUCIDATING PROTEIN POSTTRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATIONS USING COMBINATION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEIN SPECTRAL LIBRARY AND IN SILICO DESIGNED SRM ANALYSIS
    BREINEKOVA ALZBETA, CERNA HANA, CERNY MARTIN
    view abstract fulltext breinekova.alzbeta@seznam.cz

    Abstract: Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins represent fascinating extensions of the dynamic complexity of proteomes of living cells, but also present a difficult obstacle in the proteome analysis. Identification and mapping of PTMs in proteins have improved dramatically, but to comprehend complex mechanisms and biological functions, one must address also very low abundant proteins. Here, we demonstrate in silico derived analysis of a low abundant target of ubiquitination and the MS/MS identification of the predicted ubiquitination sites.


     
  • SEED PROTEOME ANALYSIS AND PROTEOME DYNAMICS DURING SEED GERMINATION
    HABANOVA HANA
    view abstract fulltext habanova.h@seznam.cz

    Abstract: Despite the huge progress that has been made in the last decade, the molecular mechanisms regulating seed germination and early seed development are far from being resolved. Induction of metabolic genes involved in germination starts around 12 hours after imbibition. Thus, most of the early events are mediated by molecules stored in the seed during maturation and are not accessible to transcriptomic analyses. Proteome analysis has been extensively employed in the past but the coverage of observed seed proteome is relatively low even in present-day high-impact studies. Here, we analysed proteome of two model species, Arabidopsis thaliana and barley (Hordeum vulgare). We employed several complementary approaches to increase the proteome coverage and build a library suitable for targeted protein quantitation. The combination of fractionations and an alternative MS/MS data processing significantly improved our detection limits. Our results indicate that the seed proteome coverage is limited not only by extraction efficiency or depletion of abundant proteins, but also by an inadequate spectral data interpretation.


     
  • POLYMORPHISM OF SPECIFIC miRNAs IN THE CONTEXT OF FLAX (LINUM USITATISSIMUM L.) GENOME ADAPTABILITY TO ABIOTIC STRESS
    HLAVACKOVA LUCIA, RAZNA KATARINA
    view abstract fulltext lucia.hlavackova1@gmail.com

    Abstract: Polymorphism of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) genome, genotype CDC Bethune, under nutrient stress in vitro, was analyzed by newly developed type of molecular markers based on microRNA molecules. Two types of stress-sensitive miRNAs, miR395 and miR399 were evaluated. The miR359 loci profile has shown to be more polymorphic and more specific in comparison to miR399 loci pattern. Our observations have supported the role of miRNA molecules as potential biomarkers of abiotic stress.


     
  • CYTOKININ ACTION IN PLANT RESPONSE TO WATER-LIMITED CONDITIONS
    JOHNOVA PATRICIE
    view abstract patricie.johnova@email.cz

    Plants are sessile multicellular organisms, which must respond and acclimate to abiotic stimuli during their growth and development. One of the main serious abiotic stresses is drought stress caused by water scarcity. The negative impact of drought on crop yield is actually well known and it is estimated that drought along with high temperature significantly contribute to the highest yield losses each year. Thus, study of drought responses is necessary to understand in order to avoid the negative effects of water-limited conditions on plants and to enhance drought tolerance of crops. Recently, plant hormones cytokinins (CKs) were observed to be involved in plant response to several environmental stresses. Moreover, they are suggested to play a crucial and complex role in adaptation to abiotic stress conditions. In well controlled in vitro conditions, mannitol is commonly used to imitate the effect of drought due to a decrease of water potential and it allows to regulate the severity of stress by precise control of mannitol concentration.
    In this study, we investigated the effect of various amounts of mannitol in different developmental stages on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. In addition, phenomic analysis of transgenic plants with inductively decreased or increased levels of endogenous CK as well as mutants in CK signalling, was performed. Obtained results provided us deeper insight into the physiological aspects of severity of drought stress and allowed us to outline the potential mechanism of plant response to water deficit considering cytokinin playing the major part.


     
  • COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INCYDE AND TRANS-ZEATIN TREATMENT OF ARABIDOPSIS SEEDLINGS
    KOUKALOVA V., NOVAK J., HRADILOVA J., CERNY M., SPICHAL L., BRZOBOHATY B.
    view abstract vladena19@seznam.cz

    Cytokinins are plant hormones regulating many processes during plant life ranging from seed germination to plant senescence. Thus manipulation of cytokinin levels and their impact on plant vitality, production and ability to defend against stresses is in great interest of agriculture. In this work we focused on comparison of exogenous application trans-zeatin and inhibitor of the cytokinin degradation INCYDE (2-chloro-6-(3-methoxyphenyl)aminopurine) on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Clasissical cytokinin root essay revealed that INCYDE is as potent modulator of cytokinin responses as direct exogenous application of trans-zeatin. Except the strong effect on the primary root length seedlings treated with INCYDE and trans-zeatin showed increased level of flavonoids and root hairs formation in concentration-dependent manner. Analysis of genetically modified lines with abolished or improved canonical cytokining signalling via modulation of F-box proteins KMD suggest products of INCYDE action and trans-zeatin to use same cytokinin signalling pathway. Different apsects of action originating in different cytokinin population and distribution by diverse modulation of cytokinin level were tested on the level of gene expression and MS analysis separately in roots and shoots. Both analysis revealed differences in molecular action following trans-zeatin or INCYDE treatment.


     
  • EFFECT OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ON CHENOPODIUM QUINOA RESISTANCE TO INFECTION BY PERONOSPORA FARINOSA
    KUDLACEK TOMAS, GRANDA CRUZ LEITER, ROZSYPALEK JIRI
    view abstract fulltext kudlak@seznam.cz

    Abstract: Chenopodium quinoa Willd., known as quinoa, is a pseudocereal that has been cultivated in the Andean region for more than 4000 years. It has become very popular during last decades due to its high and balanced nutritional value. Quinoa grain has outstanding protein quality and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. The grain protein is rich in amino acids like lysine and methionine that are deficient in cereals. Endophytic fungi live in various plant tissues without showing any symptoms. Some of them are known for their ability to induce resistance against various biotic and abiotic factors. This study is focused on thorough investigation of endophytic mycoflora associated with Chenopodium quinoa and its potential to induce systemic resistance against fungal pathogen Peronospora farinosa (Fr.) Fr.


     
  • POD DEHISCENCE – ONE OF THE KEY PEA DOMESTICATION TRAITS
    LENKA PROCHAZKOVA, PAVEL HANACEK, LENKA SMUTNA, DENISA HAMPLOVA, ALES SOUKUP, PETR SMYKAL
    view abstract prochazkova.lenka88@seznam.cz

    Abstract: The change of wild plants into domesticated crops can be viewed as an accelerated evolution, the result of human and natural selection. Beginning of the domestication can be found in the neolithic era, when humans changed their way of life from gathering and hunting to that of agriculture and pastoralism. Domestication triggered changes representing adaptations to cultivation and human harvesting, accompanied by genetic changes. Common set of traits, named domestication syndrome has been recorded for unrelated crops. These changes include loss of germination inhibition and increase of seed size, linked to successful early growth of planted seeds as well as loss of pod dehiscence.

    In this work several pairs of wild versus domesticated forms were selected, together with primitive forms (landraces) representing transitory steps. These pairs as well as mapping populations of crosses were morphometrically and histologically characterized and  pod dehiscence phenotypes were assessed.

    The main objective of the study is to identify genetic, chemical and structural basis of pea pod dehiscence. Nighty nine F9 RILs of wild Pisum elatius VIR320 x cultivated pea WL1238 and 136 F5 RILs of JI64 P. elatius and JI92 landrace (primitive domesticate) were used for genetic mapping by using of DArT seq (Diversity Arrays Technology Ltd.). Based on previously published position of Dehiscence pod (Dpo1) locus we re-mapped the respective region. In addition to these genes used for „anchoring“ of the locus, several candidate genes were chosen based on published data. Modern analytical methods and anatomical analysis by using sections of fresh material for subsequent staining by 1% floroglucinol and toluidine blue O are used for detection of various cell wall compounds (extensins, polysaccharides). Transcription analysis by qRT-PCR and global MACE were used to identify differences in gene expression during pod maturation. By global MACE one main and several subsidiary candidate genes for pod dehiscence were identified. From the qRT-PCR analysis of five candidate genes potentially responsible for pod dehiscence two genes which seem to be associated with pod dehiscence in pea were identified.


     
  • PHOTOSYNTHETIC PARAMETERS AND ABSCISIC ACID LEVELS OF PEA PLANTS INFLUENCED BY ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
    LONOVA KAMILA, PROCHAZKOVA LENKA, KLEMS MAREK
    view abstract fulltext lonova.k@seznam.cz

    Abstract: Growth and development of plants is affected by many biotic and abiotic factors. Current problem is the presence of environmental pollutants. Contamination of soil and air can cause stress reaction and some fatal changes in metabolism of affected plants. The important monitored pollutants include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and active substances of some herbicides. Pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) were cultivated in Richter nutrient solution (control) and two variants, nutrient solution with 5µM fluoranthene (FLT) or with 5µM flurochloridone (FLU). Changes of photosynthetic apparatus, especially in damaged leaves of treated plants were evaluated. The main differences between variants have been observed in the levels of photosynthetic pigments. Both substances (FLT and FLU) decreased the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids. But FLT treatment caused only slight decrease of the quantum yield of electron transport of PS II compared to control. Significant differences in the level of abscisic acid (ABA) in leaves between the variants and between the damaged leaves and green leaves were observed. The changes of pigment content and damage of photosynthetic apparatus were visible on the plants, especially on the colour of the leaves.        


     
  • EFFECTS OF PROTEASOME INHIBITION ON PLANT GROWTH AND RESPONSE TO HORMONAL STIMULI
    LUKLOVA MARKETA
    view abstract LuklovaM@gmail.com

    The protein homeostasis in cell is maintained by transcriptional and translational  control but also through the level of targeted protein degradation. The most frequent way of protein degradation in eukaryotic cell requires Ubiquitin- 26 S- proteasome system, UPS. More than 6 % of the Arabidopsis genome encodes components of the ubiquitin conjugation system and, in  effect, most plant regulatory circuitry, and many steps of process execution, depend on ubiquitin modification. For example, in plant hormone signal transduction, proteasome has the key role for auxin, gibberellin, jasmonic acid or ethylene signaling. Here we employed a potent proteasome inhibitor and a transgenic Arabidopsis line expressing modified ubiquitin  to disrupt UPS. We follow its effects on plant physiology and analyze proteome- wide responses via LC-MS proteome profiling.


     
  • COMPETITION FOR DOMINANCE BETWEEN AXILLARY BUDS RELEASED FROM DORMANCY IN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) IS MEDIATED BY AUXIN FLOW
    MEDVEDOVA ZUZANA, BALLA JOZEF, KALOUSEK PETR, MATIJESCUKOVA NATALIE, FRIML JIRI, REINOHL VILEM, PROCHAZKA STANISLAV
    view abstract zuzana.medvedova@mendelu.cz

    Polar auxin transport (PAT) system is necessary to establish various developmental processes in plants and has an essential role also in apical dominance. Apical dominance is one of the fundamental developmental phenomena in plant biology determining the overall architecture of the aerial plant part. One of the latest theories explaining the mechanism of apical dominance is the theory of competitive canalization, by which canalization of auxin from the lateral auxin source is possible only if the primary source is removed or weakened. After decapitation axillary buds in pea (Pisum sativum L.) are activated and compete for the replacement of the lost apex as the dominant auxin source, which is accompanied with changes in PIN1 proteins localization. The result of this competition can be influenced by manipulation of auxin export from the axillary buds by auxin efflux inhibitor naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), trafficking inhibitor brefeldin A (BFA) or protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX). Moreover, interruption of auxin flow in the main stem by lateral wounds or pharmacologically by TIBA releases axillary buds from dormancy also in the presence of the apex. The obtained results support the model of competitive canalization of auxin.


     
  • AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF DEMETHYLATING AGENTS TREATMENT USING TGS 16C NICOTIANA BENTHAMIANA REPORTER LINE
    MYNARZOVA ZUZANA, BARANEK MIROSLAV
    view abstract fulltext zuzana.mynarzova@mendelu.cz

    Abstract: Epigenetics is one of the fastest-growing areas of science and has now become a central issue in biological studies of development, stress impact and disease. DNA methylation provides a way how to alter the gene expression pattern without disrupting or modifying the genome. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a Nicotiana benthamiana TGS 16C reporter line in the signalization of demethylating events caused by the activity of the so-called demethylating agents. These compounds have the ability to block or to interfere with the activity of methyltransferases, enzymes responsible for maintaining methylation marks on the replicating sequences. This N. benthamiana line carries a green fluorescent protein gene (GFP), whose promoter had been methylated and is thus inactive. By treating such plants with compounds with demethylating properties, their demethylating potential can be estimated by the effect on the re-established GFP expression in plant tissues.


     
  • CYTOKININ IMPACTS SULPHUR NUTRITIONAL STATUS INCLUDING GLUTATHIONE CONTENT IN ARABIDOPSIS
    PAVLU JAROSLAV, BRZOBOHATY BRETISLAV
    view abstract pavlu@mendelu.cz

    Sulphur is essential for plant growth and development as well as participating in plant defence against biotic and abiotic stresses. Sulphur acquisition and assimilation is, among others, under control of a phytohormone cytokinin, however, the cytokinin-regulation of sulphur nutrition remains elusive. To clarify the impact of cytokinin on sulphur nutrition in Arabidopsis plants we followed expression of sulphur-responsive genes and glutathione content as parameters indicative for sulphur nutritional status. Increased cytokinin levels evoked sulphur-deficiency-like symptoms expressed by an induction of representative sulphur-starvation-responsive genes including GAMMA-GLUTAMYL CYCLOTRANSFERASE 2;1 encoding the key enzyme of glutathione degradation. In accordance, the sulphur-responsive genes were down-regulated in response to cytokinin deficiency. Indeed, the sulfur-starvation-like response induced by high cytokinin levels was accompanied by a decrease in glutathione content while the cytokinin-deficiency resulted in an elevated glutathione content. The significant changes in sulphur-related gene expression and glutathione content were detectable within 24 h of cytokinin treatment and indicated a role of cytokinin in regulation of sulphur metabolism including remobilization of storage sulphur forms as glutathione. Besides its role as sulphur storage, glutathione is crucial for adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, the cytokinin treatment could potentiate stress response. Our experiments with cadmium tolerance in Arabidopsis treated with exogenous cytokinin supports this theory. The role of glutathione in many cellular processes suggests that altered glutathione may function in crosstalk between cytokinin and hormonal and environmental signalling pathways.


     
  • ANALYSIS OF MICROSATELLITE MARKERS IN HEMP (CANNABIS SATIVA L.)
    PRESINSZKA MARIA, STIASNA KLARA, VYHNANEK TOMAS,TROJAN VACLAV, MRKVICOVA EVA, HRIVNA LUDEK, HAVEL LADISLAV
    view abstract fulltext maria.presinszka@mendelu.cz

    Abstract: Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) is one of the oldest cultivated plants used around the world for diverse applications. 22 genotypes of hemp were analyzed with 16 SSR markers (8 SSR markers “ANUC” and 8 SSR markers “CAN”). Used primers amplified 76 different polymorphic alleles with an average number of 4.75 alleles per locus. The number of alleles ranged from 1 (CAN1690B) to 7 (ANUC204 and CAN0110). The diversity index (DI), the polymorphic information content (PIC) and the probability of identity (PI) were calculated. Values of diversity index ranged from 0 to 0.926 with an average 0.703, probability of identity from 0.004 to 1 with an average 0.141 and polymorphic information content from 0.926 to 0 with an average 0.688.Six SSR markers which reached values of DI and PIC higher than 0.8, can be used for studies of genetic variability. Dendrogram of similarity was constructed showing that genotype Cannabis indica 'Royal Caramel' is the most distant in our set of varieties. The industrial hemp varieties were separated from other genotypes. Results showed usefulness of microsatellite markers for detection of genetic diversity in Cannabis.


     
  • THE INFLUENCE OF PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF CHENOPODIUM QUINOA WILLD. UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
    ROZSYPALEK JIRI, GRANDA CRUZE LEITER, KUDLACEK TOMAS
    view abstract fulltext jiri.rozsypalek@mendelu.cz

    Abstract: In this study we assessed the influence pathogenic organisms on growth and production of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. under the conditions of the Czech Republic. This species has its origin in South America and recently has been introduced to Europe. There is considerable lack of information about its reactions to European pests and diseases that have the potential to threaten the yield of this perspective crop. The research was conducted on six genotypes of Ch. quinoa that can be grown in Europe. Three agro-technical methods were tested and their impact on the intensity of infection caused by pathogenic organisms was evaluated. The outcome of this experiment will be in-depth description of all pests and diseases of this crop and the assessment of their impact on Ch. quinoa growth, yield and nutritional value.


     
  • ROLE OF ALTERED CYTOKININ LEVELS ON DEVELOPMENT OF EPIDERMAL LEAF CELLS
    SKALAK JAN
    view abstract skalak.jan7@gmail.com

    Plants are multicellular organisms, which control their growth and morphogenesis by several biological processes to produce mature organs, such as leaves. At the cellular level, the leaf development consists of two main processes, cell proliferation and cell expansion. Differences in the timing, the rate and the spacing of these developmental processes determine the final size and structure of the leaves. Cytokinins (CKs) play a key role during many aspects of plant development, including chloroplast and leaf development. Constitutive reduction of CK content or signaling reportedly yields smaller leaves due to a decrease in cell proliferation, similar to the well-described function of CKs in maintaining cell division in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). This work follows previous studies with deeper interest in effect of CKs on later leaf development. Our results confirm important role of CKs in plant development on proteome and metabolome level. Together with cellular analysis, positive stimulation of cell expansion seems to be controled by positive regulation of amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism in response to altered CK levels. Moreover, endoreduplication analysis has showed remarkable interconnection between enhanced cell expansion and cell aging/rejuvenation after elevation of endogenous CKs.


     
  • ANALYSIS OF GENES FROM CANNABINOID BIOSYNTHETIC PATHWAY
    STIASNA KLARA, PRESINSZKA MARIA, VYHNANEK TOMAS, TROJAN VACLAV, MRKVICOVA EVA, HRIVNA LUDEK, HAVEL LADISLAV
    view abstract fulltext klara.stiasna@mendelu.cz

    Abstract: Cannabis, or hemp, (Cannabis sativa L.) has been grown for thousands of years all around the world for its valuable traits in fabric making industry and traditional medicine. Today it is still considered as an important crop and medicinal plant. The most studied cannabinoids, secondary metabolites of genus Cannabis, are -9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Ratio between THC and CBD content is relevant marker in differentiation of “fiber-type” and “drug-type”. Biosynthesis of THC and CBD is catalyzed by enzymes tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase and cannabidiolic acid synthase. Sequence heterogeneity of genes encoding these enzymes in six varieties of industrial hemp, namely ‘Finola’, ‘Tiborszálási’, ‘Tisza’, ‘Kompolti’, ‘Kompolti hybrid TC’ and ‘Carmagnola’, was studied. Partial sequences of cannabidiolic acid synthase gene with numerous indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. Similar situation was observed in full-length tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase sequences. According to PCR marker, three tested varieties were indicated as potentially rich in THC content, what will be verified by HPLC in future.


     
  • CYTOKININ ACTION IN SULPHUR NUTRITION-RELATED RESPONSES IN ARABIDOPSIS
    STURIKOVÁ HELENA, PAVLU JAROSLAV, BRZOBOHATY BRETISLAV
    view abstract h.sturikova@email.cz

    Sulphur is an essential macroelement for plants and fulfills many different functions in plant growth, development, and metabolism. Sulphur deficiency stress induces a number of adaptive responses, which must be coordinated. Phytohormone cytokinin has been previously shown to regulate sulphur aquisition and utilization, however, the cytokinin-regulation of sulphur nutrition remains elusive. In this study, we report that cytokinin induces a sulphur starvation-like gene expression which is accompanied by a decrease in the key sulphur-containing compound glutathione. Further, we sought to elucidate the theory that sulphur starvation-responses include altered cytokinin status to coordinate developmental and/or metabolic adaptations. Accordingly, we found that cytokinin status is decreased in sulphur starved roots and thus we examined the role of cytokinin in regulation of root growth upon sulphur starvation. Arabidopsis plants deficient in cytokinin signalling showed disrupted root elongation in response to sulphur starvation and, unexpectedly, the root elongation in response to sulphur starvation was further stimulated by a low cytokinin concentration. The complex role of cytokinin in sulphur nutrition was further indicated in cytokinin signalling-deficient plants. These have a higher level of glutathione compared to wild-type, but its depletion in response to sulphur starvation is even more significant. Altogether, our results suggest that cytokinins play important part in nutritional sulphur homeostasis control.