YUCCA6 PIN auxin transport coupled to sucrose and phenolic metabolism drives divergent bamboo rhizome architectures

This study employs a transcriptomic approach to investigate the underlying genetic differences between the rhizome development of pachymorph and leptomorph rhizomes under both in vitro and in situ conditions. High-throughput RNA sequencing of rhizome tissues revealed distinct transcriptional profiles, with tissue-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in hormonal signaling, cellular structure, and pathways associated with rhizome development. Genes related to auxin transport, cytokinin signaling, and cell wall modification exhibited divergent expression patterns, reflecting the architectural differences between pachymorph and leptomorph rhizomes. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of bamboo developmental biology and provide a foundation for targeted improvement of propagation and cultivation practices across diverse bamboo species.