Use of microRNA‐encoded peptides to improve agronomic traits

Abstract

MicroRNA-encoded peptides (miPEPs) are small regulatory peptides encoded by primary transcripts of microRNAs (miRNAs). In plants, they activate the transcription of their cognate miRNA and external application of chemically synthetized miPEPs can lead to phenotypes suitable for agronomic applications. We developed an experimental pipeline to screen Arabidopsis thaliana miPEPs for root development and identified several miPEPs having positive and negative effect on root growth. Direct identification of A. thaliana miPEPs homologs in two species of agronomic interest showed that specific peptides can improve cabbage root development while others decrease weed root development. We showed here that simple external application of miPEPs by plant watering can directly improve crop growth or decrease weed development in a specie specific manner.