Astonishingly strong: scientists reveal the secret of Arctic plants' endurance

Researchers have made a significant step in unraveling how Antarctic flowering plants are able to survive in extreme conditions. Antarctica is home to only two species of flowering plants - the Antarctic pike and the pearlwort - that have managed to adapt to the harsh climate, low temperatures, and strong ultraviolet radiation. Scientists became interested in the role of bacteria living inside the plants in this process.

According to the National Antarctic Research Center, this became possible thanks to the project "Investigation of the role of endophytic bacteria in increasing the adaptability of Antarctic vascular plants", led by Ukrainian biologist and polar explorer Yevheniia Prekrasna with the support of the EURIZON Fellowship.

The study determined the genetic composition (genomes) of some Antarctic bacteria and identified genes that help plants adapt. In particular, these bacteria help to reduce stress, synthesize phytohormones and improve plant nutrition.

According to Yevheniia Prekrasna, it was found that under stressful conditions of low temperatures, these symbiotic bacteria activate genes that stimulate plant growth. For example, they contribute to the synthesis of trehalose and tryptophan, which occurs directly inside plants.

These discoveries allow us to better understand the mechanisms of plant adaptation to extreme environments and may have practical applications in agriculture and ecology.

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