Article
Plant Sciences
Raul Huertas, Ivone Torres-Jerez, Shaun J. Curtin, Wolf Scheible, Michael Udvardi
Summary: Three PHO2-like genes in Medicago truncatula were characterized for their potential roles in phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism balance and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Among them, MtPHO2B may play a key role in the balance of phosphorus and nitrogen, while MtPHO2C has limited regulatory effects on phosphorus metabolism. Genetic analysis also revealed a connection between phosphorus allocation, plant growth, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation performance. In conclusion, MtPHO2 genes play important roles in both systemic and localized (nodules) phosphorus metabolism.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Thomas B. Irving, Sanhita Chakraborty, Sergey Ivanov, Michael Schultze, Kirankumar S. Mysore, Maria J. Harrison, Jean-Michel Ane
Summary: This study characterized the symbiotic phenotypes of four Medicago truncatula mutants and identified two genes, RAM1 and KIN3, involved in mycorrhization. The results showed that RAM1 acts upstream of KIN3 and that KIN3 is involved in suppressing plant defenses and promoting root colonization. KIN3 also plays an essential role in the symbiotic response to soil nitrogen levels.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rosario Castro-Rodriguez, Viviana Escudero, Maria Reguera, Patricia Gil-Diez, Julia Quintana, Rosa Isabel Prieto, Rakesh K. Kumar, Ella Brear, Louis Grillet, Jiangqi Wen, Kirankumar S. Mysore, Elsbeth L. Walker, Penelope M. C. Smith, Juan Imperial, Manuel Gonzalez-Guerrero
Summary: Yellow Stripe-Like (YSL) proteins, including MtSYL7, play an essential role in transition metal homeostasis in nodules. MtSYL7 is involved in transporting short peptides and contributes to maintaining metal homeostasis in root nodules, impacting nitrogen fixation and plant growth. Mutants with decreased MtYSL7 expression accumulate more copper and iron in nodules due to increased expression of iron uptake and delivery genes in roots.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sabrine Hdira, Loua Haddoudi, Mohsen Hanana, Irene Romero, Asma Mahjoub, Hatem Ben Jouira, Ndiko Ludidi, Maria Teresa Sanchez-Ballesta, Chedly Abdelly, Mounawer Badri
Summary: Results showed that TN1.11 exhibited higher salt tolerance compared to the other lines, while TN6.18 was the most susceptible to salinity. Functional characterization of the MtERF1 gene revealed its expression mainly in roots and inducibility by NaCl and low temperature, with a greater increase in expression under salt stress in the salt-tolerant line TN1.11.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Sun, Huiting Cui, Jiaju Zhang, Junmei Kang, Zhen Wang, Mingna Li, Fengyan Yi, Qingchuan Yang, Ruicai Long
Summary: The study identified mutant lines with a dwarf phenotype due to Tnt1 retrotransposon insertion in the gibberellin 3-beta-dioxygenase 1 gene (GA3ox1), inhibiting the synthesis of bioactive gibberellic acids (GAs). Analysis revealed shorter plant height, root, and petiole length in mutants compared to the wild type, with smaller leaf size attributed to cell-size diminution. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses indicated up-regulation of flavonoid isoflavonoid biosynthesis and down-regulation of nitrogen metabolism in the mutants, suggesting a critical role of GAs in regulating nitrogen metabolism positively and flavonoid biosynthesis negatively in leaves.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marie-Laure Martin, Marjorie Pervent, Ilana Lambert, Stefano Colella, Mathilde Tancelin, Dany Severac, Gilles Clement, Pascal Tillard, Florian Frugier, Marc Lepetit
Summary: In mature symbiotic root nodules, rhizobia fix atmospheric dinitrogen to provide ammonium for plant nitrogen demand. The symbiosis is adjusted to the plant's nitrogen demand through systemic N signaling, controlling nodule development. Nodule expansion is stimulated under N deficit, while nodule senescence is activated under N satiety. Drought has a negative impact on nodules. In this study, split-root systems were used to characterize the systemic responses of symbiotic plants to localized osmotic stress. The application of PEG inhibited the symbiotic dinitrogen fixation activity of locally treated nodules, leading to nitrogen limitation. The localized PEG treatment triggered systemic signaling, stimulating nodule development and enhancing sucrose allocation. Transcriptomic reprogramming associated with PEG and N deficit signaling shared many target transcripts. These findings suggest that systemic N signaling plays a role in the adaptation of symbiotic plants to local variations in their edaphic environment.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rose Y. Zhang, Baxter Massey, Ulrike Mathesius, Victoria C. Clarke
Summary: Legumes are more responsive to elevated CO2 conditions due to symbiotic nitrogen fixation. AON mutants with increased nodulation show higher biomass under eCO2 conditions through increased photosynthetic investment.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mingkee Achom, Proyash Roy, Beatriz Lagunas, Emma Picot, Luke Richards, Roxanna Bonyadi-Pour, Alonso J. Pardal, Laura Baxter, Bethany L. Richmond, Nadine Aschauer, Eleanor M. Fletcher, Monique Rowson, Joseph Blackwell, Charlotte Rich-Griffin, Kirankumar S. Mysore, Jiangqi Wen, Sascha Ott, Isabelle A. Carre, Miriam L. Gifford
Summary: A nodule circadian clock coordinates metabolic and regulatory activity during symbiosis by involving the gene Late Elongated Hypocotyl and rhythmic expression of nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptides. The rhythmic expression of these peptides may play a vital role in temporal coordination between bacterial activity and the rhythms of the plant host.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arjun Kafle, Danielle R. Cooney, Garud Shah, Kevin Garcia
Summary: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can significantly improve plant nutrient acquisition, and this study suggests that rubidium (Rb+) can be used as a proxy for evaluating potassium (K+) transport in mycorrhizal symbiosis. The research found that Medicago truncatula colonized by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis showed higher shoot Rb+ and K+ concentrations, as well as a greater K+:Na+ ratio, indicating the existence of a mycorrhizal uptake pathway for K+ nutrition.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liping Wang, Anqi Zhou, Jing Li, Mingkang Yang, Fan Bu, Liangfa Ge, Liang Chen, Wei Huang
Summary: Plants have a hierarchical structure of circadian rhythms, with different tissue-specific oscillators regulating sets of genes in various organs. The research on Medicago truncatula shows that light-dark cycles strongly influence the transcriptome oscillation in roots, while many clock genes only oscillate in shoots. The study also reveals that the root clock runs faster than the shoot clock, contrary to the prevailing model of a slow-paced root clock in Arabidopsis thaliana.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Loua Haddoudi, Sabrine Hdira, Mohsen Hanana, Irene Romero, Imen Haddoudi, Asma Mahjoub, Hatem Ben Jouira, Naceur Djebali, Ndiko Ludidi, Maria Teresa Sanchez-Ballesta, Chedly Abdelly, Mounawer Badri
Summary: Medicago truncatula is a popular forage crop for farmers and a model species for molecular research. Water deficit stress affects different lines of M. truncatula differently, with TN6.18 showing the highest tolerance. DREB1B gene may play a key role in water deficit tolerance in this species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anil Kumar, Hui Lin, Qiuju Li, Yiting Ruan, Donna Cousins, Fuyu Li, Shu Gao, Kirsty Jackson, Jiangqi Wen, Jeremy D. Murray, Ping Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of an anthocyanin-based visual marker system to visualize the colonization of AMF in Medicago truncatula roots. It provides an efficient approach for mutant screening and monitoring of AMF colonization, and offers a simple and quick photometric assay for quantitative assessment.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jing Chen, Lindsey J. Leach, Zewei Luo
Summary: Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in autotetraploid species is a timely and challenging task. Two papers by Wu and his colleagues proposed statistical methods for QTL mapping in these species, but have been criticized for fundamental conceptual errors from statistical and genetic perspectives.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Beatriz Lagunas, Luke Richards, Chrysi Sergaki, Jamie Burgess, Alonso Javier Pardal, Rana M. F. Hussain, Bethany L. Richmond, Laura Baxter, Proyash Roy, Anastasia Pakidi, Gina Stovold, Saul Vazquez, Sascha Ott, Patrick Schaefer, Miriam L. Gifford
Summary: This study investigates the symbiotic relationship between Medicago truncatula and different strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti or Sinorhizobium medicae in three different soil types. The results show that symbiosis has significant effects on soil, plants, and microbial composition, which are not simply proportional to soil nutrient abundance. The plant actively regulates its root community, including limiting the growth of low nitrogen efficiency rhizobial strains, leading to nodule senescence. Therefore, selecting appropriate inoculation partners is important for plant, soil type, and microbial community.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arun K. Pandey, Libo Jiang, Menachem Moshelion, Sanbon Chaka Gosa, Ting Sun, Qin Lin, Rongling Wu, Pei Xu
Summary: Recent years have seen the emergence of high-throughput phenotyping techniques for studying plant physiological traits in response to environmental changes, yet a general framework linking these traits to DNA variants is still lacking. Researchers have developed a framework that integrates functional physiological phenotyping with functional mapping to understand how genotype translates into phenotype. This framework was demonstrated in a study using a tomato introgression line population to identify quantitative trait loci and explore how these loci control phenotypic plasticity under drought stress.
Article
Agronomy
Manel Chaouachi, Takwa Marzouk, Selim Jallouli, Salem Elkahoui, Laurent Gentzbittel, Cecile Ben, Naceur Djebali
Summary: Botrytis cinerea is a major postharvest fungal pathogen in fresh produce, and the use of antagonistic microorganisms, particularly certain endophytic bacterial strains, shows promising potential in preventing decay in tomato fruit. These bacterial strains produce antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and some even have plant growth promoting effects. Specific VOCs such as 3-Methylbutan-1-ol are effective in protecting tomato fruit against B. cinerea infection, suggesting their potential use as biocontrol agents in reducing postharvest decay.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Remi Ollivier, Isabelle Glory, Romuald Cloteau, Jean-Francois Le Gallic, Gaetan Denis, Stephanie Morliere, Henri Miteul, Jean-Philippe Riviere, Angelique Lesne, Anthony Klein, Gregoire Aubert, Jonathan Kreplak, Judith Burstin, Marie-Laure Pilet-Nayel, Jean-Christophe Simon, Akiko Sugio
Summary: This study identified a genomic region conferring resistance to pea-adapted and non-adapted biotypes of the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum through a genome-wide association study. Candidate genes and marker haplotypes linked with aphid resistance were also identified.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Rim Gubaev, Stepan Boldyrev, Elena Martynova, Alina Chernova, Tatyana Kovalenko, Tatyana Peretyagina, Svetlana Goryunova, Denis Goryunov, Zhanna Mukhina, Cecile Ben, Laurent Gentzbittel, Philipp Khaitovich, Yakov Demurin
Summary: In this study, QTL mapping was performed on two independent populations to investigate the genetic control of tocopherol composition in sunflower. The results revealed that tocopherol composition is controlled by two loci, and validated two SNP markers for marker-assisted selection.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Ines Mahe, Bruno Chauvel, Nathalie Colbach, Stephane Cordeau, Aurelie Gfeller, Antje Reiss, Delphine Moreau
Summary: The impacts of weed management and herbicide use need to be reduced, and weed-suppressive crop species/varieties show promise for sustainable weed regulation. This study reviews the literature to find field-based evidence of the role of allelopathy by root exudation of living crops in weed regulation, independently of competition. The analysis highlights the disregard for crop competition in most studies, and the lack of convincing evidence for the presence/absence of allelopathy in the field. Recommendations are made for future research to further investigate allelopathy and quantify its contribution to weed regulation.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Alicia Rouge, Guillaume Adeux, Hugues Busset, Rodolphe Hugard, Juliette Martin, Annick Matejicek, Delphine Moreau, Jean-Philippe Guillemin, Stephane Cordeau
Summary: Cover crop (CC) mixtures are a promising agroecological tool for weed management. However, their suppressive effect on weeds under contrasting levels of soil resource availability is not well-documented. A two-year field experiment revealed that the outcomes of competition between CC mixtures and weed species were driven by complex interactions between resource availability and species traits.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Laurene Perthame, Nathalie Colbach, Hugues Busset, Annick Matejicek, Delphine Moreau
Summary: Reducing herbicide use may increase weed competition with crops for resources. This study found that nitrogen stress can alter the morphological traits of plants, affecting their light competitiveness. There are also differences in the response of weeds and crops to nitrogen stress, indicating variations in their competitive abilities.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nathalie Colbach, Emeline Felten, Christelle Gee, Antony Klein, Laura Lannuzel, Christophe Lecomte, Thibault Maillot, Florence Strbik, Jean Villerd, Delphine Moreau
Summary: By conducting virtual experiments and using a simulation model, this study identified key parameters that affect pea yield and weed control, and proposed rules to guide farmers in choosing the best pea variety. It was also found that a trade-off between increasing yield potential and minimizing yield losses due to weeds exists when selecting pea varieties and management strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chaima Chammakhi, Alexandre Boscari, Marie Pacoud, Gregoire Aubert, Haythem Mhadhbi, Renaud Brouquisse
Summary: Drought stress has a profound impact on plants, especially on symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This study discovered that drought-stressed nodules experience severe hypoxia and that phytoglobin-nitric oxide respiration helps maintain their energy state.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Delphine Moreau, Hugues Busset, Annick Matejicek, Marion Prudent, Nathalie Colbach
Summary: This study aims to develop an innovative approach to quantify weed species responses to water limitation. The most notable responses in different weed species and growth stages were increased plant height and the production of smaller/thicker leaves. Furthermore, an increase in biomass allocation to roots and leaves was observed in some species and growth stages.
Article
Plant Sciences
Estefania Carrillo-Perdomo, Jean-Bernard Magnin-Robert, Blandine Raffiot, Chrystel Deulvot, Matthieu Floriot, Isabelle Lejeune-Henaut, Pascal Marget, Judith Burstin, Nadim Tayeh, Gregoire Aubert
Summary: In this study, QTL mapping in faba beans resulted in discovering five genomic regions associated with frost tolerance. The researchers also identified a major and stable QTL on the long-arm of LGI. Comparison with other legume species showed that the genetic control of frost tolerance in faba bean might be conserved. The study also provided four new RILs with high and stable tolerance for breeding programs.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Souad Insaf Djouider, Laurent Gentzbittel, Raghavendra Jana, Martina Rickauer, Cecile Ben, Mohamed Lazali
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between phosphorus acquisition and utilization efficiency in chickpea, and the agronomical performances of different varieties under phosphorus-deficient conditions. The results show that phosphorus deficiency negatively affects the growth, yield, germination, and nodulation performances of chickpea. However, adaptive mechanisms, such as nitrogen-fixing nodules and photosynthesis, help maintain physiological efficiency. Furthermore, there is a large genetic variation in yield components, phosphorus and nitrogen acquisition, and phosphorus utilization efficiency, indicating the important role of nodules in phosphorus uptake.
Article
Agronomy
Alicia Rouge, Guillaume Adeux, Hugues Busset, Rodolphe Hugard, Juliette Martin, Annick Matejicek, Delphine Moreau, Jean-Philippe Guillemin, Stephane Cordeau
Summary: This study explored the impact of cover crop management on weed biomass and crop productivity in subsequent crops, finding that the composition of cover crops, termination methods, and soil resource availability all played a role.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Murukarthick Jayakodi, Agnieszka A. Golicz, Jonathan Kreplak, Lavinia Fechete, Deepti Angra, Petr Bednar, Elesandro Bornhofen, Hailin Zhang, Raphael Boussageon, Sukhjiwan Kaur, Kwok Cheung, Jana Cizkova, Heidrun Gundlach, Asis Hallab, Baptiste Imbert, Gabriel Keeble-Gagnere, Andrea Koblizkova, Lucie Kobrlova, Petra Krejci, Troels W. Mouritzen, Pavel Neumann, Marcin Nadzieja, Linda Kaergaard Nielsen, Petr Novak, Jihad Orabi, Sudharsan Padmarasu, Tom Robertson-Shersby-Harvie, Laura Avila Robledillo, Andrea Schiemann, Jaakko Tanskanen, Petri Toronen, Ahmed O. Warsame, Alexander H. J. Wittenberg, Axel Himmelbach, Gregoire Aubert, Pierre-Emmanuel Courty, Jaroslav Dolezel, Liisa U. Holm, Luc L. Janss, Hamid Khazaei, Jiri Macas, Martin Mascher, Petr Smykal, Rod J. Snowdon, Nils Stein, Frederick L. Stoddard, Jens Stougaard, Nadim Tayeh, Ana M. Torres, Bjorn Usadel, Ingo Schubert, Donal Martin O'Sullivan, Alan H. Schulman, Stig Uggerhoj Andersen
Summary: Increasing the proportion of locally produced plant protein in diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity. However, plant protein production is hindered by the lack of a cool-season legume equivalent to soybean. This study presents a high-quality genome assembly of faba bean and demonstrates its potential for sustainable protein production.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rim Gubaev, Stepan Boldyrev, Elena Martynova, Alina Chernova, Tatyana Kovalenko, Yuliya Chebanova, Tatyana Peretyagina, Svetlana Goryunova, Denis Goryunov, Zhanna Mukhina, Cecile Ben, Laurent Gentzbittel, Philipp Khaitovich, Yakov Demurin
Summary: Oleic acid is a valuable trait in oilseed crops as it increases oil oxidative stability. This study focused on the genetic control of high oleic acid content in sunflower. Through QTL mapping, it was found that the trait is controlled by one major effect locus, but with different dominant/recessive effects in different crosses. Additionally, a translocation between chromosome 7 and 14 was observed in one of the crosses. Marker-assisted selection can be achieved using the identified single nucleotide polymorphism markers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marie-Francoise Jardinaud, Justine Fromentin, Marie-Christine Auriac, Sandra Moreau, Yann Pecrix, Ludivine Taconnat, Ludovic Cottret, Gregoire Aubert, Sandrine Balzergue, Judith Burstin, Sebastien Carrere, Pascal Gamas
Summary: The study reveals that nitrogen-fixing symbiosis recruited two homologous root transcription factors for nodule development, providing a key insight into the coordination of plant and bacterial cell differentiation during this process.
