Functional analysis of strigolactone biosynthetic enzymes for developing a control method of root parasitic weeds

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K05838
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38040:Bioorganic chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Utsunomiya University
• Principal Investigator: Nomura Takahito 宇都宮大学, バイオサイエンス教育研究センター, 准教授 (60373346)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ストリゴラクトン / 根寄生雑草 / 生合成酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Root parasitic plants parasitize on the roots of host plants and deprive nutrients and water, causing extensive damage to crops around the world. So far, no effective control method for root parasitic weeds has been established. Root parasitic weed seeds germinate by recognizing secondary metabolites called strigolactones (SLs), which are exudated from the roots of host plants. The lgs1 mutant of sorghum that exhibits resistance to root parasitic weeds has been reported. The LGS1 gene was thought to encode an SL biosynthetic enzyme, but its function has not been elucidated. This study has revealed the SL biosynthetic pathway catalyzed by cytochrome P450 and sulfotransferase in sorghum.

Free Research Field

植物生理化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

根寄生雑草（特にストライガ類）はアフリカ諸国の農作物の収量を大きく低下させている。また、地中海沿岸諸国やオーストラリアといった農業先進国における根寄生雑草（特にオロバンキ類）の被害も顕在化している。現在のところ日本には農作物に大きな被害を与えている根寄生雑草種は侵入していないと考えられるが潜在的な脅威となっている。有効な防除法のない根寄生雑草に関する研究を行う意義は大きく、本研究の成果は根寄生雑草を制御する技術の基盤となりうる。