Gene expression profile of Oryza longistaminata ramet pair roots in response to different nitrogen conditions

Oryza longistaminata, a wild rice, vegetatively reproduces and forms a networked clonal colony consisting of ramets connected by rhizomes. Although water, nutrients, and other molecules can be transferred between ramets via the rhizomes, inter-ramet communication in response to spatially heterogeneous nitrogen availability is not well understood. We analyzed the transcriptomic response of ramet pairs to heterogeneous nitrogen availability by using a split hydroponic system that allowed each ramet root to be exposed to different conditions. Overall design: The roots of O. longistaminata ramet pair, connected by rhizomes, were incubated in two separate pots for 24 h. One of the roots was treated with the nutrient solution containing 2.5 mM NH4Cl (plus N split), and the other was treated with 0 mM NH4Cl (minus N split). For comparison, both roots were treated with 2.5 mM NH4Cl (plus N) or 0 mM NH4Cl (minus N).