Upregulation of DWARF27 is associated with increased strigolactone levels under sulfur deficiency in rice

Plants produce strigolactones (SLs) in roots in response to nitrogen or phosphate deficiency. To evaluate SL levels under other mineral deficiencies in rice, we cultivated rice seedlings in hydroponic media without nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Tiller bud outgrowth was stimulated under calcium deficiency because of low SL levels. SL levels increased under sulfur deficiency, in addition to phosphate, and nitrogen deficiencies. To explore which genes are key regulators of SL production under sulfur deficiency, we analyzed the expression of SL-related genes in sulfur-sufficient and sulfur-deficient conditions. An SL biosynthesis gene, DWARF27 (D27), was strongly expressed under sulfur deficiency, and its expression was decreased by sulfur supply. The levels of D10, D17, and OsMAX1 transcripts did not differ between sulfur-sufficient and sulfur-deficient conditions. These results suggest that the increased SL levels under sulfur deficiency are due to a high expression of D27. A combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur deficiencies had no additive synergistic effect on SL production. Under combined phosphorus and sulfur deficiency, the expression levels of most SL biosynthesis genes were elevated. The number of tiller buds in the d27 mutant was higher than in the wild type, but lower than in other d mutants. Under sulfur deficiency, the chlorophyll content of d27 was lower than those of other d mutants. These results indicate that D27 plays an important role in adaptation to sulfur deficiency in rice.