Shade Inhibits Cambial Activity inPopulusStems by the SPL16/SPL23-Mediated Cytokinin Pathway

Trees in natural forests or plantations often encounter neighbor proximity signal that negatively impacts wood production. However, the molecular basis underlying shade-regulation of vascular cambial activity during stem radial growth remains unknown in woody species. Here, we revealed that high stand density and simulated shade (low R/FR ratio) suppress the division and differentiation of cambial cells in poplar stems. A genome-wide screen for Populus SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE ( SPL ) genes identified that SPL16 and SPL23 are preferentially expressed in the phloem and cambium, being downregulated by simulated shade. Knocking out SPL16/23 impaired cambial activity, whereas phloem-specific overexpression of SPL16 stimulated cambial proliferation and mitigated the shade-inhibition of cambial activity. Additionally, shade decreased bioactive cytokinin (CK) levels by suppressing the expression of CK biosynthesis genes IPT5a , IPT5b and LOG1b in poplar stems. Molecular and genetic studies reveled that SPL16/23 directly activate IPT5s/LOG1b expression to promote CK biosynthesis and cambial activity. Moreover, elevated miR156 expression in shade-treated stems regulated SPL16/23 at the post-transcriptional level, mediating shade’s effects on cambial activity. Collectively, our findings unravel that the miR156-SPL16/23-IPT5/LOG1-cytokinin pathway operates in the shade-mediated inhibition of cambial activity, providing potential targets for the genetic improvement of shade-tolerant trees.