Acts as a peptide hormone recognized by receptors (e.g. RGI1 and RGI2) to trigger signaling events including the regulation of RITF1 expression and leading to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in roots to modulate meristem size (PubMed:31801996). Signaling peptide (root growth factor) that maintains the postembryonic root stem cell niche in a PIN2-traffic dependent manner by regulating the expression levels and patterns of the transcription factor PLETHORA (PLT), mainly at the post-transcriptional level (PubMed:20798316, PubMed:23370719). Maintains the postembryonic root stem cell niche by regulating the expression levels and patterns of the transcription factor PLETHORA (e.g. PLT1 and PLT2), mainly at the post-transcriptional level (PubMed:20798316). Influences circumferential cell number in the root meristem in response to Pi-deprivation (PubMed:25856240). Regulates the pattern of root growth and lateral root development by modulating the length and the number of cortical cells in the root apical meristem (RAM), and the anticlinal asymmetric cell divisions in lateral root initiation cells (PubMed:22307643, PubMed:23370719). Interacts with RGI1; this interaction triggers RGI1 phosphorylation and ubiquitination (PubMed:27229312). Binds to LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinases RGI1, RGI2 and RGI3 to trigger their dimerization with SERK proteins and subsequent signaling (PubMed:27229311, PubMed:27001831). Expressed in root tips, only in the quiescent center and the columella stem cells. In roots, expressed only in the quiescent center (QC) and the columella stem cells (CC) initials (PubMed:20798316, PubMed:23370719). Induced during lateral root formation (PubMed:23370719). Not regulated by auxin (PubMed:20798316). Accumulates in both root epidermis and cortex after phosphate ion (Pi)-deprivation (PubMed:25856240). The tyrosine sulfation is critical for the function of the peptide. No visible phenotype, due to the redundancy with other RGF genes (PubMed:20798316). Hypersensitivity to low phosphate ion (Pi) with respect to circumferential cortex and epidermis cell quantities (PubMed:25856240). Triple mutant rgf1-rgf2-rgf3 shows a decreased meristematic cell number resulting in a short root phenotype (PubMed:20798316). Diffuses into the meristematic region. 'Golven' means irregular waves in Dutch. Belongs to the RGF family. Extended C-terminus.