plants were grown hydroponically in CYG germination pouches from Mega International. Seedlings at 14 DAS (days after sowing) were treated for 24 h by directly adding cytokinin or control DMSO to the growth pouches. After treatment roots (Root tips (RT) – encompassing the meristem and the elongation zone; lateral roots (LR), and whole roots (WR, including RT and LR) were removed from solutions or germination pouches, patted dry with paper towel and immediately flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen (N2), and stored at −80◦C until RNA extraction. ProSlCRF5:GUS homozygous plants (both tomato and arabidopsis (grown on agar plates)) were also treated with cytokinin in the same manner as described above.