Fig. 3

Visual and molecular phenotypes of HCT2-RNAi transgenic plants (HCT2Ri). A NFCX1 wild type (WT) (Control; left) and HCT2-RNAi transgenic plants (Ri-25, -2, -39 and -38 lines, right) at R1 stage. B Relative transcript levels of HCT1 and HCT2 in control and HCT2Ri plants representing 41 independent transformation events at 1 month post sub-tillering. Expression of Ubq1 in these plants was analyzed and used to normalize HCT expression levels across lines. Relative treatment level values (horizontal axis) are normalized to the HCT2 control value set at 100%. C Lignin monomer content in stems of WT control and HCT2-RNAi transgenic plants (HCT2Ri) at R1 stage. Values represent mean ± S.D. of three biological replicates. For G and S monomer levels, no significant differences were observed between lines at the 0.05 significance level. Non-identical letters in red indicate significant difference in the H monomer levels between two lines at the 0.05 level determined by ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD) test. Guaiacyl (G), syringyl (S) and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) lignin monomers were measured. CWR cell wall residue. D Root architecture of 5-week-old plants