Functional Analysis of OsDRP2B in Rice Root Development

Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) root system plays a critical role in water and nutrient uptake, influencing overall plant growth and crop yield. In this study, we characterized the <i>Osdrp2b</i> mutant, which exhibits a short-root phenotype and was identified through map-based cloning. The <i>Osdrp2b</i> mutation was traced to the gene encoding a dynamin-related protein, and the mutant displayed reduced cell elongation and impaired cell division in the root tip. Further analysis revealed that ROS (reactive oxygen species) accumulation was elevated in the mutant roots, and treatment with ROS inhibitors restored root elongation in the <i>Osdrp2b</i> mutant, indicating that altered ROS homeostasis is associated with the phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis highlighted the differential expression of genes involved in cell wall organization and hydrogen peroxide catabolism. Agronomic evaluations of the <i>Osdrp2b</i> mutant demonstrated compromised shoot growth, reduced tiller number, and lower seed setting rates, indicating the impact of the mutation on rice yield. Overall, these results suggest that <i>OsDRP2B</i> is involved in regulating root growth, potentially through effects on ROS homeostasis and associated signaling networks. These findings provide a basis for future studies on improving rice root development and agronomic performance.