Elucidating regulatory mechanism of haustorium number using a model parasitic plant system

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16169
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 44030:Plant molecular biology and physiology-related
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Cui Songkui 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (20712532)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: parasitic plant / haustorium / auxin / nutrient / hormone / development

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The research project investigated the mechanisms of how parasitic plants regulate haustorium formation using hormone as well as in response to environmental nutrients. The research reviewed that parasitic plants use endogenous auxin, which is an essential hormone to control growth and various developmental processes to modulate haustorium number, and thus provide an insight into molecular relationship between parasitic organ development and hormone regulatory pathway. It also showed that environmental nutrients, particularly nitrogen and iron, largely suppress haustorium formation.

Free Research Field

plant research

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、寄生植物が環境シグナルと内因性プログラムを統合して寄生戦略を調整するメカニズムについての知見を提供するものです。これらの成果は、寄生性雑草が農業や生態系に与える被害の予測と制御に貢献するものです。