b'ON THE EDGENew Molecules Help Crops Grow in Colder Temps Nitrogen Path Discovered in Root FungiA new class of molecules, which are able to raise theA type of fungi has been found to act as a supplier of nitrogen temperature of plants, have been developed by researchersto plants, a study from researchers at Texas Tech University and from the University of Amsterdam, a news release from theNanjing Agricultural University, published by Proceedings of the university says. By using the molecular heaters crops areNational Academy of Sciences, says.able to grow at lower temperatures, allowing for an extendedIt had previously been known that arbuscular mycorrhizal growing season, expanding crop production into cooler(AM) fungi live on about 90 per cent of land plants roots, helping climates and speeding up crop breeding. to carry phosphates for plants. The researchers in this study Through experiments in the laboratory and greenhouse,found though that this symbiotic relationship goes even further.molecular heating was used to warm plants and increase theIt was discovered AM fungi also acts as a supplier of nitrogen temperature of leaves by more than one degree Celsius, theto plants. The protein, NPF4.5, transports nitrates from the fungi release notes. Additionally, it was found molecular heaters canto plant. This symbiotic nitrate pathway and protein are present increase biomass amounts.in crops such as rice and most other plant species, the study The Amsterdam-based researchers have been awarded anotes. This could help lessen the amount of nitrogen fertilizer patent for the technology and are seeking partners to furtherneeded for crop production, lowering production costs and develop feasible applications of the molecular heaters, thehelping the environment by reducing agrochemical use.release says. There has already been interest shown from cropIn our study, we showed the nitrate transporter is contained protection and development companies.in many plant species and that it is activated by the mycorrhizal The researchers would like to see large-scale applications ofassociation in maize, sorghum and several other plant species, molecular heaters applied by spraying mixtures of surfactantsLuis Herrera-Estrella, a scientist from Nanjing Agricultural and wetting agents, the release notes. There still needs to beUniversity, says in a news release. Based on our data, we more work done on making molecular heaters able to stickpropose that nitrate transport takes place in many if not most better to the surface of plants. plant species, and that the protein plays a key role in the process. Currently, molecular heaters work similar to sunscreenResearch in the past has found the symbiotic relationship lotions, the release says. They absorb UV photons and transformbetween plants and AM fungi is more active in soil with low this energy into molecular vibrations, converting harmful lightphosphate availability and supressed in soil with high levels into harmless heat. of available nutrients, Herrera-Estrella points out. This means crops which are highly fertilized experience a severely reduced or completely suppressed impact from mycorrhiza.The goal of this latest research was to find if mycorrhiza could Stripe Rust Resistant Wheat Varieties Found provide other nutrients such as nitrogen to plants. Indirect A group of American researchers have identified 37 genes,evidence before has shown the fungi could supply the plant including 10 new genes, in spring wheat varieties, which arewith ammonium (NH4+) as a nitrogen source, but it was quickly resistant to stripe rust, a study from scientists at the Unitedconverted into nitrate (NO3-) by the microbes in the aerobic soil States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research meaning under most soil conditions, nitrate was the dominant Service (USDA ARS) and Washington State University, publishedform of nitrogen supplied to the plant, the study notes.in Plant Disease, says. To test for nitrate transfer ability, the researchers used Stripe rust is one of the most destructive wheat diseases innitrogen isotopes in order to find out how much nitrate theGROWING YOUR WORK OF ARTthe world and can be controlled by chemicals, most of whichfungi needs for the plant. Researchers were able to identify the are harmful to humans, animals and the environment, and canNPF4.5 gene activated in rice roots with mycorrhizal fungi, and cost millions of dollars to apply, the study says. Instead of usingthe role it plays in nitrate delivery by producing rice mutants chemicals, many farmers would instead prefer to grow wheatwithout the gene. From almost any angle, the visionary design in Proven Seed shines through. Our leading-edge technology offers varieties which are resistant to stripe rustdevelopment ofWe found that when the gene is inactivated, the amount these varieties is a top priority for wheat breeding programs. of nitrate that the plant can get from the fungi is drasticallya whole new perspective on canola, cereals, corn, soybeans and forages. Whether youre looking for high yields As part of these variety developments, USDA ARS andreduced, Aiqun Chen, a scientist from Nanjing Agriculturaland performance from every seed across all acres, or specific herbicide systems and disease management, we Washington State University studied stripe rust resistance genesUniversity, says in a news release. in 616 spring wheat varieties using the genome-wide associationThe researchers estimate rice containing the mycorrhizalknow theres a Proven Seed that fits your vision of success. Only available at your local Nutrien Ag Solutions retail.study approach.relationship receive more than 40 per cent of its nitrogen due toLearn more at ProvenSeed.caIts recommended wheat growers plant the resistant varietiesthe pathway, and the NPF4.5 gene accounts for approximately identified in the study. By growing more resistant varieties itll45 per cent of the mycorrhizal nitrate uptake.reduce chemical usage and prevent stripe rust damage, theThe next steps in the project is to test the transgenic plants study says. The resistant varieties can also be used by wheatunder field conditions in order to understand what mechanism breeders to develop more varieties with other desirable traits. actives the NPF4.5 gene, the news release notes. They also want to find which chemical signals the fungi sends to the plant to activate it and what other nutrient transporter genes are used.120seed.ab.ca Proven Seed is a registered trademark of Nutrien Ag Solutions (Canada) Inc. Nutrien Ag Solutions and Design is a trademark of Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc. 09/20-72516-1'