Abstract text: Water scarcity is a major cause of crop losses. Although plants can adapt to limited water availability by modifying their xylem architecture to enhance water transport, the mechanisms that control and enable this adaptive potential remain insufficiently understood. A key aspect of this adaptation is the development of specialized xylem cell walls, which must withstand the mechanical stress associated with high transpiration rates. Interestingly, different Arabidopsis thaliana accessions vary in their root growth and xylem architecture under water limitation, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic plasticity remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we will characterize how Arabidopsis accessions differ in root growth dynamics and xylem phenotypes under water limitation using automated, high-throughput morphological and anatomical analyses. We will then quantify the relationship between root growth dynamics and xylem architecture, and identify the genetic and molecular determinants underlying xylem plasticity. Our findings will provide critical insights into the genetic and physiological basis of xylem cell wall plasticity and may inform strategies to enhance drought resilience in crops.