Newly identified 'saprotropism' helps roots avoid decaying plant matter—but not animal decay

Decaying matter shapes life in soil, but it can also create hostile zones for growing roots.

Professor Jiří Friml of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and international collaborators have now identified "saprotropism," a root response that guides plants away from decaying plant-derived matter—but not animal-derived decay. ...