Hypergravity – an evolutionarily novel environment, enhances the resilience of wheat to simulated drought and salinity stress

Previous research from our lab demonstrated that hypergravity that can be simulated using tabletop centrifuges, offering significant benefits to crop plants. Hypergravity enhances seedling vigor and growth parameters in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum ) variety UAS 375. This enhanced root growth phenotype is believed to boost abiotic stress tolerance by facilitating deeper access to water and nutrients from the soil. This study investigated whether hypergravity-induced root growth enhancements could offer resilience to induced drought and salt stress, and whether such benefits would extend across other wheat genotypes. Hypergravity (10g for 12h) conferred significant tolerance to simulated drought and salt stress, evidenced by improved seedling growth parameters as well as increased chlorophyll content and proline accumulation in response to hypergravity followed by stress challenge, compared to stress challenge alone. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry indicated dynamic phytohormone modulation, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction data revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes associated with antioxidant enzymes and abiotic stresses. Thus, this study further supports the view that hypergravity boosts abiotic stress resilience through genetic and hormonal dynamics. Notably, these effects were consistent across genotypes. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that hypergravity can effectively improve resilience against seedling abiotic stresses in wheat.