Modern agriculture practices negatively affect functions of beneficial plant microbes (Nature Ecol. Evol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyAre modern agricultural practices good for the environment? Or at least for the crops? If we look at a small field at a particular time point, it may seem they are good. But looking at a broader picture gives a different notion. In a recent study, Edlinger et al. collected 210 soil samples from traditional…
Review: Root cell types as an interface for biotic interactions (TIPS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyKawa and Brady review the contributions and responses of individual cell types and cell identities in plant biotic interactions, both pathogenic and commensal. The first step in these interactions is the perception of the microbes by root cells, which involves highly conserved microbe-associated molecular…
Tracking water transport to the host plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (New Phytol)
Plant Science Research WeeklyIn spite of several years of observation of the symbiotic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, we are still learning about the intricate mechanisms and processes behind their relationship. Symbiotic fungi provide nutrients (mainly phosphorus and nitrogen), stress tolerance, and…
A highly conserved core bacterial microbiota with nitrogen-fixation capacity inhabits the xylem sap in maize plants (Nature Comms)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlants and microorganisms build complex associations that are essential for plant homeostasis. Studies have suggested that there is a ‘core microbiota’ that is particular to specific crops and that is inherited through generations. Targeted manipulation of crop microbiomes with the inoculation of…
A boost to plant transformation: Agrobacterium expressing type III secretion system (Nature Comms)
Plant Science Research WeeklyGene manipulation in most plant species faces two major hurdles, transformation efficiency of tissue and regeneration of callus. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most common method of plant transformation. Transformation efficiency can range from more than half the tissue to less than…
Plants’ PHR2-controlled phosphate starvation response regulates fungal symbiosis in rice (Nature Comms)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlants’ interaction with microbes in the rhizosphere affects their health and productivity. Plant-arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi symbiosis is associated with almost 80% of land plants. The fungi provide phosphate, stress tolerance, and firmness to the soil in exchange for carbon. While low phosphate…
Fungal exopolysaccharide regulates plant-microbe interaction (Plant Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe studies on the apoplastic interactions of plants and fungi often focus on the fungal cell-wall, but recent studies indicate various plant colonizing fungi also have an exopolysaccharide (EPS) layer outside their cell wall. Chandrasekar et al. observed that the composition of this fungal EPS is distinct…
Bacterial avirulence gene encodes for a secreted protease and restricts host range (Mol Plant Path)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlant pathogenic bacteria of the genus Clavibacter tend to have a narrow host range, but different species affect many important crops. Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) causes bacterial wilt and canker in tomato, pepper and a few varieties of eggplant. There are no Cm-resistant tomato varieties but many…
A plant gene that shapes its ecosystem (Science)
Plant Science Research WeeklyKeystone species shape the structure of an entire ecosystem, but can a gene determine structure of the whole ecosystem? A recent study indicates yes, some genes can, and such genes are called keystone genes. Barbour et al. set up a small ecosystem containing two herbivore aphids, one predator of these…