Root transcriptome remodeling of Arabidopsis in response to high levels of magnesium sulfate

Martian regolith (unconsolidated surface material) is a potential medium for plant growth in bioregenerative life support systems during manned missions on Mars. However, hydrated magnesium sulfate mineral levels in the regolith of Mars can reach as high as 10 wt%, and would be expected to be highly inhibitory to plant growth. A global approach was used to identify novel genes with potential to enhance tolerance to high MgSO4 stress. The early Arabidopsis root transcriptome response to elevated concentrations of magnesium sulfate was characterized in col-0, and also between col-0 and the mutant line cax1-1 – a mutant relatively tolerant of high levels of MgSO4•7H2O in soil solution.