# Cytokinin signaling mediated by KMD2 promotes Arabidopsis hypocotyl grafting success

## TL;DR

This paper explores how cytokinin signaling, mediated by KMD2, influences grafting success and adventitious root formation in Arabidopsis.

## Contribution

The study identifies KMD2 as a regulator that reduces cytokinin signaling to promote adventitious root formation over grafting success.

## Key findings

- Reduced cytokinin signaling by KMD2 promotes adventitious root formation.
- KMD2 is a key regulator in the decision between grafting success and root formation.
- A hypocotyl grafting approach was developed to study these mechanisms.

## Abstract

Grafting and adventitious root formation are plant regeneration mechanisms used in horticulture. In grafting, a scion (shoot) of one plant is joined to a stock (root) of another plant through vascular reconnection. Adventitious roots arise from above-ground plant tissue, and graft failure occurs when the scion develops adventitious roots. The molecular mechanisms underlying grafting success and adventitious root formation are unclear. We developed a hypocotyl grafting approach to determine regulators involved in grafting success
vs
adventitious root formation. We suggest that reduced cytokinin signaling by the F-box protein, KISS ME DEADLY2 (KMD2, AT1G15670), promotes adventitious root formation over successful grafting.