2016 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Carbon / nitrogen interactions between legumes and parasitic plants
| Project/Area Number |
26870087
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| Research Institution | University of Tsukuba |
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Principal Investigator |
Irving Louis 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 助教 (60597178)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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| Keywords | parasite / photosynthesis / carbon transfer |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In the last year I was successfully able to quantify carbon flux between the alfalfa host and the hemiparasite using 13CO2. This flux was probably around 30%, and seemed to be dependent on the host and parasite nutrient status, although experiments this year will improve our understanding of the system. It was also noted that when nutrients were withdrawn, parasites could only grow if they were connected to a host plant - this is unique in the published literature, and we believe it is a major result.
I was also able to demonstrate an upregulation in host clover photosynthesis as a result of parasitism by the hemiparasite Phtheirospermum japonicum, but not Orobanche minor. These are notable results, although require further improvement before publication. This suggests that many plants may have a higher capacity for photosynthesis than used under normal circumstance. We noted that although no apparent growth gains could be found under normal conditions, parasites were able to maintain growth under N-starvation conditions in the presence of a host, but not when grown alone. In the N-starved conditions, the parasite loses its chlorophyll, suggesting that the C for growth is parasitically derived. We have developed new equipment to allow us to fully demonstrate this unique phenomenon. The
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Although good results have been generated, we want to further improve our methodology to aim for a better journal. We could successfully show C transfer between the host and the parasite, but we want to be able to determine whether N is also transferred, and investigate other factors, such as differential growth or the importance of other nutrients. We have redesigned our experimental equipment to be able to deal with these demands.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Re-run experiments measuring C transfer between the alfalfa host plant and the Phtheirospermum parasite. We are currently manufacturing the new equipment, and hope to start our new experiment by the end of April.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Continuing experiments to improve data. As our experiments did not go as planned we had to reschedule some work and develop new methods to achieve our goals. This took extra time and led to a delay in some experiments. However, preliminary data generated in 2016 demonstrate we should be able to get back on track this year.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
Experiments are currently running. Will be used for chemical and analytical costs
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Research Products
(2 results)
