<scp>CEPR1</scp> Mediates Sucrose‐Dependent Inhibition of Lateral Root Growth in Response to Nitrate Availability in <scp> <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> </scp>

Plant growth is intricately linked to the development of a robust and extensive root system, a process that is finely tuned by the plant's ability to sense and respond to environmental nutrient cues. Among these, nitrate and photosynthetically derived sucrose stand out as key regulators of root architecture, guiding plants in their foraging efforts to maximize resource acquisition. However, the mechanisms by which plants integrate these signals to modulate root growth, particularly lateral root development, remain only partially understood. This study employs differential growth analysis to determine the degree of interplay between nitrate and sucrose sensing pathways mediating root growth, specifically refining the role for CEP (C-terminally Encoded Peptide) Receptor 1 (CEPR1). Pathways modulating root growth in response to perception of nitrate and sucrose do not operate independently and rely on CEPR1 to dynamically inhibit lateral root growth based on nitrate availability in a sucrose dependent manner. These findings highlight the interplay between distinct nutrient sensing pathways in adjusting plant root architecture and accentuate the sophisticated adaptive strategies plants employ in nutrient foraging.