Publications of NIPGR Scientists

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Author: search.filters.author.Ganotra, Jahanvi

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    Unearthing root response mechanisms to soil compaction in legumes
    (John Wiley & Sons, 2026) Ganotra, Jahanvi; Pandey, Mandavi; Pandey, Bipin K.; Giri, Jitender
    Roots are essential for the survival and functioning of plants, serving as anchors in the soil and drawing in vital nutrients and water. Roots also engage in diverse microbial interactions, including pathogenic interactions that cause plant disease and non-pathogenic interactions, such as symbiotic and commensal relationships. Mechanical resistance in compacted soil is one of the biggest challenges for root exploration. Soil compaction hampers plant growth by restricting root elongation, reducing root proliferation, and limiting access to water, nutrients, and oxygen. These restrictions interfere with root-microbe interactions and also impair aboveground growth, leading to decreased shoot biomass, stunted development, and lower overall productivity. Legume roots form symbiotic relationships with soil-dwelling Rhizobium, resulting in root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen (N) into ammonia, thereby promoting plant growth. However, the impact of soil compaction on legume roots remains poorly studied. In this review, we examine key adaptive strategies used by legume roots to counteract soil compaction, focusing on the underlying molecular pathways. A complex signalling network regulates molecular processes that control root development and nodulation in legumes. We also explore the genetic and environmental factors that influence morphological, anatomical, and biochemical traits under mechanical stress, providing insights for improving stress resilience in legumes.
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    Lipid-mediated responses to nutrient and other stresses: Roles in plant adaptation and signaling
    (Oxford University Press, 2026) Pandey, Mandavi; Ganotra, Jahanvi; Singh, Astha; Parchuri, Prasad; Giri, Jitender
    Lipids are essential components of biological membranes; however, their roles in plants go far beyond providing structural support. They are actively involved in signaling and metabolic regulation during abiotic and biotic stress. Plants use lipid-based strategies to adapt to nutrient shortages, toxic conditions, and changing environments. Signaling lipids such as phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphoinositides, sphingolipids, and oxylipins serve as molecular messengers that transmit stress signals to regulate ion transport, hormone interactions, and developmental flexibility. During nutrient deprivation, especially of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K), plants adjust membrane composition by replacing phospholipids with P-free glycolipids like galactolipids and sulfolipids, conserving critical nutrients while keeping membrane structure intact. Lipid intermediates, including PA, glycerol-3-phosphate, and negatively charged phospholipids, also act as secondary messengers in stress signaling networks. Lipid droplets and lipophagy help maintain carbon and redox balance, while enzymes like phospholipases and glycerophosphodiesterases recycle nutrients and alter lipid profiles. Under K deficiency and toxic metal exposure (e.g., aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd)), lipid turnover influences membrane stability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and transporter function. Lipid modifications also reduce toxic ion binding and cellular damage, and molecules derived from lipids, such as jasmonates, play roles in secondary metabolism and hormonal defense pathways. Although lipid-based stress responses are conserved throughout plant lineages, the regulatory mechanisms controlling lipid fluxes are not yet fully understood. New tools, like genetically coded lipid biosensors and lipidomics platforms, are uncovering the spatial and temporal dynamics of lipid signaling with unprecedented detail. Improving our understanding of lipid-mediated stress responses may enable the development of crops with better nutrient efficiency and resilience to climatic and edaphic stresses, contributing to sustainable agriculture.
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    Method for the dissection of genomic loci associated with chickpea root penetration traits in compact soil
    (Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2026) Ganotra, Jahanvi; Pandey, Mandavi; Donde, Ravindra; Giri, Jitender
    Mechanical impedance in agricultural land is a significant constraint in modern agriculture. It dramatically affects seed germination, plant growth, development, and grain yield. Soil compaction hinders root growth and the ability to access deeper nutrients and water resources, impacting climate resilience, crop productivity, and global food security. Crops display variations in root system architecture (RSA) traits when grown in compacted soils. We can better understand the mechanisms behind soil compaction by examining root-related traits and their associated genes. Our recently published study investigated RSA traits across different soil compaction levels and identified significant genomic associations in chickpeas. We developed reliable methods for creating soils with varying bulk densities (i.e., compaction levels), growing chickpea seedlings, and harvesting the roots. We also conducted high-throughput phenotyping and screening of root-related traits using winRHIZO software. By integrating these phenotypic data with available genotypic data through Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), we could identify genetic loci influencing root penetration in response to increasing soil compaction. These methods will help us identify key architectural traits of roots that can be targeted in crop breeding efforts to enhance resilience and productivity in compacted soils. By improving the root system and understanding the genes involved, we aim to develop plants more responsive to root penetration.