A single-cell transcriptome atlas of the barley root apical meristem uncovers conserved and divergent roles of HvWOX5

Abstract

Single-cell approaches have transformed plant developmental biology; however, cell-type-resolved resources for cereals remain limited. Here, we present a single-cell transcriptome atlas of the barley root apical meristem (RAM), which resolves 24 transcriptionally distinct cell populations. We assigned major root cell identities by integrating marker gene validation using Hybridization Chain Reaction (HCR) RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and spatial transcriptomics with cross-species comparisons of published root atlases. Pseudotime analysis reconstructed developmental trajectories from the quiescent center to differentiating tissues, supporting the spatial and developmental organization of the atlas. We further demonstrated the utility of this resource by identifying HvWOX5 expression in the quiescent center and metaxylem and showing that HvWOX5 loss-of-function mutants displayed reduced root and meristem lengths, altered stem cell niche homeostasis, and disrupted metaxylem organization. Taken together, this atlas provides a framework for dissecting barley root development and identifies HvWOX5 as a key regulator of RAM organization and metaxylem patterning.